The Marine Biology Section of the Société Jersiaise has many experts and citizen scientists amongst its members, and is an active and dynamic Section.  They have carried out such activities an monitoring the dolphins and porpoises around the Island, recording the progress of the slipper limpet, and working with schools with a ‘touch tank’ to raise children’s awareness of sea life. 

More recently the Section embarked on a No Take Zone project, which was approved by the government last year.  The zone forbids the removal of sea life from the area, creating an environment which develops naturally, which can feed into other depleted areas, and be the centre for scientific research. 

What is the Société Jersiaise:

The Société Jersiaise is a heritage organisation, and was Jersey’s first one, created in 1873.  It protected the Island’s history, historic sites, tangible and intangible assets.  The Société established and ran the first museum in Jersey for over 100 years, until it handed over the commercial management of some of its assets to a government supported body in the 1980s.  The Société’s main focus now is academic, and it has 17 Sections which pursue various interests from history to ornithology.  Jersey has fascinating archaeology and geology, flora and fauna, and the 17 Sections cover all aspects of the Island’s history and natural history.

Marine Biology Section:

The Marine Biology Section has many experts and citizen scientists amongst its members, and is an active and dynamic Section.  They have carried out such activities an monitoring the dolphins and porpoises around the Island, recording the progress of the slipper limpet, and working with schools with a ‘touch tank’ to raise children’s awareness of sea life.  More recently the Section embarked on a No Take Zone project, which was approved by the government last year. 

What is a No Take Zone:

A No Take Zone (NTZ) is a type of Highly Protected Marine Protected Area (HPMPA) where no fishing activity, whether commercial, recreational, or low water fishing, or the extraction of any plants or sediments takes place.  Britain has three NTZs at Lundy Island off the coast of Devon, Flamborough Head in Yorkshire, and at Lamlash Bay on the Isle of Arran. Benefits have been shown to include increased size, fertility and abundance of species and biodiversity, that can also increase populations outside NTZs due to a spill over effect. This not only helps replenish stocks but has the possibility of enhancing an ecosystem’s resilience to climate change.  The natural environment created in Portelet Bay will also make an enjoyable snorkel trail.  

Public engagement:

Public and resident engagement was undertaken, both face to face, and via the media and overall the reception was positive.

Approval:

The States of Jersey had already given their support in principle to the plan, but on Monday 25th April 2022 they approved the regulations setting out how the NTZ would work.  The Assistant Environment Minister said “Moving forward, any fishing or taking of marine animals or seaweed will be an offence and we’ll certainly be policing this to ensure the project is a success. I would like to thank States Members for their support of this move.”

Credit where credit’s due:

Credit is clearly due to the Marine Biology Section of the Société Jersiaise for this initiative.  It is an example of how just a few determined individuals with a structured and scientific approach have successfully brought a project to completion;  in this case the Jersey No Take Zone - one of only four in the British Isles. 

Jersey sits in the Channel, closer to France that to the British Isles.  It nestles in the bay of St Malo.  Our geology, history, historic buildings, language, and all aspects of Island life are closer to the French mainland than to the British one.  We share our reefs with France, our sailing tourism, and commercial fishing.  At the Société Jersiaise we employ a French Librarian and a French Archaeologist.  Our links with Europe are fundamental to us.  

This newly created No Take Zone is not only of huge scientific interest to Jersey, but also to Europe as a whole.  Over five years the development of the area will be monitored, and the results shared internationally.  It will help with developing species, and provide essential climate change information.  It is carried out with the support of major organisations and the States of Jersey.  The Marine Biology Section fully recognise the importance of this NTZ and have a panel dedicated to it.  

Jersey is small, but it doesn't see itself as alone in an increasingly vulnerable world.  We value our heritage and our world.