After concluding four public meetings in Salacgrīva, Engure, Ventspils and Liepāja on the further development of marine protected areas, the Nature Conservation Agency (NCA) asks to submit proposals for a vision for the further development of these areas by 16 July.
"We thank everyone who took the time to attend the meetings. We have received valuable feedback on coastal development from various stakeholders and coastal residents, and this is very useful in the early stages of developing nature protection plans. Not only state and local authorities but society in general, the greater the opportunity we have to balance and incorporate the different needs of different groups into nature plans, " emphasizes Gita Strode, Director of the Department of Nature Protection.
The LIFE REEF project implemented by the NCA not only provides for the study and preparation of proposals for the conservation status of deep-sea biologically important areas, but also for a kind of "audit" of the entire network of protected areas at sea. As marine protected areas are also Natura 2000 sites, the existing boundaries will be assessed when the nature protection plan is drawn up, the functional zoning will be reviewed and the protection objectives will be clearly defined for each of them.
Proposals can be submitted in writing until July 16, addressing them to the NCA by post (Baznīcas Street 7, Sigulda, Sigulda Region, LV-2150) or by e-mail pasts@daba.gov.lv.