To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about damaging fishing activities in European marine sites; and what discussions her Department has had with the Marine Management Organisation about steps it is taking to protect the conservation status of these sites.

Representations have been received by DEFRA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on this issue, including most recently from the Marine Conservation Society, Client Earth and the Wildlife Trusts.

DEFRA officials have been in discussion with the MMO in relation to the appropriate management action needed to ensure effective conservation for European marine sites. Information about statutory and non-statutory management measures undertaken by the MMO to further the conservation of European marine sites is routinely placed on its website on a site-by-site basis.