Voluntary Marine Conservation Area
Encyclopedia
Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) is a designation in the United Kingdom for areas of coastline which are of particular wildlife and scientific value that enjoy a level of voluntary protection.
VMCAs are run by a range of organisations and steering groups and are often supported by community or volunteer groups. VMCA's often aim to promote the Seashore Code as a means for the public to treat the coastline with care.
The first VMCA to be set up was Purbeck
, in Dorset
in 1978.
VMCAs are run by a range of organisations and steering groups and are often supported by community or volunteer groups. VMCA's often aim to promote the Seashore Code as a means for the public to treat the coastline with care.
The first VMCA to be set up was Purbeck
Purbeck
Purbeck is a local government district in Dorset, England. The district is named after the Isle of Purbeck, a peninsula that forms a large proportion of the district's area. However the district extends significantly further north and west than the traditional boundary of the Isle of Purbeck along...
, in Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
in 1978.
List of VMCA's
- Helford - designated in 1987
- North Devon - established in 1994 and spans the coast from Combe MartinCombe MartinCombe Martin is a village and civil parish on the North Devon coast about east of Ilfracombe. It is a small seaside resort with a sheltered cove on the edge of the Exmoor National Park...
to CroydeCroydeCroyde is a village on the west-facing coastline of North Devon, England. The village lies on the South West Coast Path near to Baggy Point, which is owned by the National Trust. It lies within the North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
. Is managed by Devon Wildlife TrustDevon Wildlife TrustThe Devon Wildlife Trust is a member of The Wildlife Trusts partnership covering the county of Devon, England. It is a registered charity, established in 1962 as the Devon Naturalists Trust, and its aim is to safeguard the future of the county's urban, rural and marine wildlife and its... - Purbeck - The first VMCA
- Wembury - Wembury Marine CentreWembury Marine CentreWembury Marine Centre is situated in the small village of Wembury, near Plymouth. Run by Devon Wildlife Trust, it holds rockpool rambles throughout the summer months, educating some 20,000 people each year about the importance of marine life and the need to protect it.The area is designated a...