Nature given "opportunity to recover" in sea off south coast
An area of the English Channel has been given the highest level of protection
A large area of the sea off the south coast will now receive the highest level of protection to preserve marine habitats.
Dolphin Head, which stretches from the east of the Isle of Wight to Brighton, is one of three highly protected marine areas in the country to come into force on Wednesday.
Damaging fishing practices will be banned from an area 55 kilometres south of Selsey Bill, allowing the ecosystem to recover.
Trawling and scallop dredging has degraded Dolphin Head in recent years.
The site contains feeding and nursery grounds of important commercial fish species such as cod, herring, plaice as well as ecologically important habitats such as ross worm reefs.
Marine Minister Lord Benyon said: "Today is a significant milestone for the UK as we ramp up action to recover our important marine ecosystems, and make sure species and habitats can thrive in healthy, diverse environments.
"This is a first step with more announcements to come."
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, said: " These highly protected marine areas will help boost the long-term sustainability of these areas of ocean, helping to soften some impacts of climate change while aiding the recovery of marine ecosystems and the fish, marine mammals and seabirds that depend upon them."