HOW the new conservation zones will affect some commercial fishing operations will not be clear until after sites are confirmed by Government.

Only then will decisions be made about how the sites are managed and what activities are permitted or banned.

But John Butterwith, chief executive of the North Devon Fishermen's Association, believes any effect on the local fishing industry will be minimal, proving the right management measures are put into place.

He said: "There was a suggestion that mobile gear (used by trawlers) should be totally banned in all marine protection areas but we have been able to overturn that stance."

He pointed out that it was not necessary to ban all mobile trawling, particularly in areas of shifting sands which are moving with the currents of the tide, where trawling operations were doing no damage whatsoever.

Also, some methods such as otter trawling were much lighter than, for example, scallop dredging or beam trawling.

The proposed MCZ for the Atlantic Array area is the only one which could have consequences for North Devon trawler fisherman; Lobster and shell fisherman who use static gear will not be affected.

Mr Butterwith pointed out that the proposals were only recommendations and that it was still very early days.

"If they ban all mobile gear then fishermen will be affected. It depends what recommendations are made by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Council (government advisory bodies) and then it is up to the minister to peruse those.

Then it will go out to public consultation.

"I have written to the minister about management measures on behalf of the whole of the South West fishing industry and we are awaiting his response."

Andy Bell, North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve co-ordinator and service manager, said: "There has already been a level of discussion on what is or isn't going to be acceptable and having got a feeling for that we know what level of protection is needed and what the fisherman will tolerate.

"We have agreed to areas that have reduced impact on their activities. We have tried to come up with a set of sites that work best for conservation and don't compromise the fisherman too much."

The new marine conservation areas are not necessarily 'no take' zones but will have certain restrictions on them.

Mr Bell added: "The work leading up to the proposals has been very intense for all concerned.

"Reflecting on the whole MCZ network, although the practices that need to be controlled have been identified, the mechanisms and the extent of controls need to go through a thorough examination for their impact and practicality of enforcement.

"The majority of the sites we proposed are for seabed protection therefore the impact on most sea users on the surface will be minimal.

"The local fishermen are very co-operative and although the MCZs will limit various types of bottom trawling gear, the areas that we collectively identified are not regularly fished.

"The exception to this is the Atlantic Array area which needs much stronger scrutiny.

"Within the estuary, the MCZ will help us to manage the fishery in a way that enables its sustainable exploitation, but also protects the upper areas of the estuary that are the nursery grounds for our commercial species such as bass."