West of Walney

West of Walney is a Marine Conservation Zone in the Irish Sea west of Walney Island, England. It was designated in 2016 to protect subtidal mud and sand habitats:[1] at that time the MCZ was one of three off the coast of Cumbria, the others being Allonby Bay and Cumbria Coast. The area is 388km2, a similar size to the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England. The depth range of the site is 15–33 metres.

An unusual feature of the MCZ is that it is co-located with offshore wind turbines.[2] At the time of designation it was noted that it would be simpler to restrict fishing by bottom trawling because this type of fishing is generally discouraged within windfarm developments. In 2019 a bye-law prohibited bottom trawling from the majority of the site. Sustainable fishing for prawns using creels has been trialled.[3]

Fauna

Fauna of interest include sea pens.

See also

The waters west of Walney Island have some of the largest offshore wind farms in the world.

Name Number of Turbines Capacity (MW) Construction Began Operation Began
Barrow Offshore Wind Farm [4] 30 90 2004 2006
Ormonde Wind Farm [5] 30 150 2010 2011
Walney Wind Farm 1 [6][7] 51 184 2010 2011
Walney Wind Farm 2 [6] 51 183.6 2011 2011 [8]
West of Duddon Sands Wind Farm [9] 108 389 2013 2014
Walney Extension Wind Farm [10] [11] 108 660 2017

References
  1. "West of Walney Marine Conservation Zone". The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  2. While the tubines are referred to as "offshore" (not being on land), the MCZ is mainly in "onshore" (territorial) waters, defined as being within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
  3. Fishing into the future.Cumbrian Wildlife. September 2019.
  4. It's windy .... and it's officially open Barrow Offshore Wind. 25-09-06. Accessed 02-11-11
  5. Work on Ormonde Wind Farm off Barrow completed BBC News. 03-08-11. Accessed 02-11-11
  6. About the Project Walney Wind Farms. Accessed 02-11-11
  7. 54.044000°N 3.522000°W / 54.044000; -3.522000
  8. First Power from Walney 2 Offshore Wind Farm DONG Energy. 01-11-11. Accessed 02-11-11
  9. "West of Duddon Sands generates first electricity". Renewable Energy Magazine. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  10. "UK firm set to play important part in Walney Extension". North West Evening Mail. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  11. "Walney Extension" (PDF). DONG. Retrieved 15 September 2015.

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