Conservation > Living Seas > Your Shore > Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas
Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas
As a voluntary designation, the role of the VMCA is not to impose restrictions but to engage communities and encourage sensible use of the natural resources in the area. In doing so, the marine environment of Cornwall will be protected for future generations to enjoy.
VMCAs near you
The diverse marine natural heritage is showcased across the five Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCAs) around the county's coast. Each VMCA supports a plethora of habitats and species that makes them a special place to visit, they are:
Why we need VMCAs
The coastal and marine environment of Cornwall is recognised as being of both international and local importance for its incredible diversity of marine wildlife, from tiny rare colourful corals to giant basking sharks.
The county’s natural beauty attracts over 5.5 million tourists each year and the county’s coast is a popular destination for both visitors and residents. The large numbers of visitors to Cornwall, combined with valuable and vulnerable wildlife, makes marine conservation important in this county.
A robust marine environment is essential for the county’s economic, social and environmental future. However, the marine environment is in balance. It is important that we maintain this balance by encouraging sensible and sustainable use of our marine environment, which we are able to do through the VMCAs.
Each VMCA aims to:
- protect and conserve the marine environment
- raise awareness and increase understanding of the marine environment
- encourage education and research within the marine environment.
