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. VMCAs 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 in Lundy, 1973.[1] Helford was designated in 1987.[2] North Devon was established in 1994, spans the coast from Combe Martin to Croyde and is managed by Devon Wildlife Trust; Purbeck; and Wembury (Wembury Marine Centre).