Voluntary Marine Conservation Area's (VMCA) are areas of coastline with particular wildlife and scientific value that rely on voluntary protection. The term is applied to nationally important marine areas which are sensitive to Human Activities.

VMCAs are run by a range of organisations and groups which are often supported by community or volunteer groups. VMCA's often aim to promote the seashore code as a means for the public to treat the coastline with care.

Lyme Bay Sensitive Marine Area .

Parts of Lyme Bay have been identified as a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area due to the special marine wildlife that lives there. The important sub-tidal reef at Lyme-Regis is home to more than 300 species including the protected Pink sea fan and rare Sunset coral. The aim is to encourage people to use, interact and enjoy these areas while maintaining the balance between man and the sea. Some examples of human activities affecting the environment include dredging and trawling which directly affect the sea floor communities. As well as this, the region is steeped with maritime history and today the local economy is dependant on the sea for both the leisure and fishing industries. If a fine balance can be struck between using this resource and protecting it, only then will the sea continue to provide food, jobs and recreation for generations to come.