Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish proposals for Stage 4 fisheries management measures for marine protected areas.

Stage 4 Marine Protected Areas are sites designated to protect highly mobile species such as seabirds and harbour porpoise. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has been talking to stakeholders about options for managing the impacts of fishing on these sites. The MMO is now analysing all the feedback it has received, including through an earlier call for evidence, and will decide on what management measures it thinks is needed to protect these species.