WWF-UK: Better management of our wildlife
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Better management of our wildlife
4 October 2006
Main issues
- Areas in need of conservation have been designated under EU Legislation yet they continue to suffer from over-exploitation and a lack of protection.
- While the designations help biodiversity management in Wales they don't always provide the necessary tools for the job.
- European designations are selective in the species they protect – so it might be necessary to plug some of the gaps to ensure our seas are representative of all the species and habitats within.
- Users of the marine environment can be reckless with their impact on wildlife because it is hidden from view – we need to encourage all users to consider their impact more carefully.
WWF Cymru is calling for
- The full 'tool box'. This is considered absolutely critical to nature conservation efforts.
- A new statutory mechanism for the designation of marine protected areas. It is only a statutory approach to MPA designation will be robust enough to deliver the appropriate measures to ensure recovery and conservation of biodiversity.
- New 'Nationally Important Marine Sites' – essentially the ability to designate further sites that would help 'plug the gaps' left by European legislation
- A suite of Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMRs) where all commercial extractive, additive and other damaging activities are excluded.
- Specifically the Bill must provide for a representative network of Nationally Important Marine Sites (NIMS), which must include a suite of highly protected marine reserves (HPMRs). HPMRs may encompass all or part of an MPA or 'stand alone' and are afforded a higher level of protection. All commercial extractive activities and other damaging activities are excluded.
- This all adds up to an adequate set of duties and mechanisms that allows stakeholders to fulfil their biodiversity conservation obligations both within MPAs and in the wider marine environment.
Cymraeg
What else is WWF Cymru asking for? To find out more click on the links below -
Managing Marine Fisheries
Marine Spatial Planning
Licensing and consents
A new management body?
These are some of the wildlife which can be found in our seas...
...blue sharks...
...dolphins...
...minke whales
What else is WWF Cymru asking for? To find out more click on the links below -
Managing Marine Fisheries
Marine Spatial Planning
Licensing and consents
A new management body?