WWF Cymru welcomes the consultation and calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to use the proposed Marine Bill as an opportunity to put right the decades of abuse of Wales 's marine environment.

WWF Cymru has for years been lobbying for a co-ordinated and sustainable approach to managing Wales's seas and coasts. It believes that the current legislation is inadequate and overlapping because of the sheer number of different bodies with marine responsibilities that leads to confusion and no one body has total control.

"We have neglected our seas for too long – the 'out of sight – out of mind' syndrome has led to decades of abuse and declining marine species and habitats. This must end now. The Welsh Assembly Government must demonstrate leadership in contributing towards the new Marine Bill through taking a lead in ensuring the consultation leads to a healthy marine environment for Wales" said Morgan Parry, Head of WWF Cymru.

"The Marine Bill is expected to reach parliament after the New Government of Wales Bill has been enacted. This is set to increase the Welsh Assembly Government's responsibility over Wales's marine environment. With Assembly Elections pending WWF Cymru is calling on all parties to recognise the economic, social and environmental implications of a healthy marine environment" added Mr Parry.

The seas around parts of Wales provide a multitude of important resources and economic benefits through fisheries, transport, dredged materials, renewable energy and tourism.

Morgan Parry continued: "As a result of not having one governing body responsible for our seas and coastlines, there is confusion and conflict over policies on how to best manage and maintain our marine environment. This consultation paper has bought us a step closer to a UK marine bill and the Welsh Assembly Government must embrace this opportunity to create an overall effective strategy to sustainable manage our seas- to benefit economically from it but to ensure it is done within ecological limits."

Wales's seas and coastlines move a step closer to being better managed today as the UK Government announces a long-awaited consultation paper on its new UK Marine Bill. WWF Cymru welcomes the consultation and calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to use the proposed Marine Bill as an opportunity to put right the decades of abuse of Wales's marine environment.

WWF Cymru has for years been lobbying for a co-ordinated and sustainable approach to managing Wales's seas and coasts. It believes that the current legislation is inadequate and overlapping because of the sheer number of different bodies with marine responsibilities that leads to confusion and no one body has total control.

"We have neglected our seas for too long – the 'out of sight – out of mind' syndrome has led to decades of abuse and declining marine species and habitats. This must end now. The Welsh Assembly Government must demonstrate leadership in contributing towards the new Marine Bill through taking a lead in ensuring the consultation leads to a healthy marine environment for Wales" said Morgan Parry, Head of WWF Cymru.

"The Marine Bill is expected to reach parliament after the New Government of Wales Bill has been enacted. This is set to increase the Welsh Assembly Government's responsibility over Wales's marine environment. With Assembly Elections pending WWF Cymru is calling on all parties to recognise the economic, social and environmental implications of a healthy marine environment" added Mr Parry.

The seas around parts of Wales provide a multitude of important resources and economic benefits through fisheries, transport, dredged materials, renewable energy and tourism.

Morgan Parry continued: "Most importantly the new legislation needs to continue the economic use of the sea but to ensure it is done within ecological limits.

"Up until now, marine legislation has been developed in an ad hoc manner and on a sector by sector basis without an overall strategy for the management of our seas. Decision-making over the marine environment is shared by numerous government departments, agencies and authorities. This has resulted in fragmented and often conflicting policies that do not effectively promote the health or economic potential of our seas."