WWF-UK: Hotspot located in North Wales
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Hotspot located in North Wales
17 January 2007
The Menai Strait in North Wales has been identified as a marine biodiversity hotspot in a WWF report – Marine Biodiversity Hotspots: Putting marine life on the UK map – which is launched today.
The report details the techniques used to identify areas of high species and habitat richness that include representative, rare and threatened features that are in need of better protection.
These important areas or hotspots of marine biodiversity are under threat from pressures such as waste disposal, water contamination, unsustainable fishing practices and climate change.
A variety of habitats and species types are found in the Menai Strait – these include the grey seal and the honeycomb worm which makes inter-tidal and sub-tidal reefs that harbour lots of other species like crabs, and makes ideal nursery areas for fish.
Iwan Ball, Marine Policy Officer for WWF Cymru, said, "This report identifies the Menai Strait as one of the most valuable areas in Wales for marine biodiversity and the need to better protect it. Our seas are becoming busier than ever before due to a variety of human activities such as shipping, dredging and wind farms, which threaten the marine environment."
As a result WWF Cymru is calling for the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to develop robust legislation through a Marine Act to provide stronger protection for our marine wildlife and habitats.
Hywel Williams, Plaid MP for Caernarfon, says, "Wales has an amazingly diverse coastline and a rich marine biodiversity which needs to be protected and fostered. Both the Menai Straits and the Llyn peninsula in my Caernarfon constituency are marine environments of national, UK and European importance. Local communities depend on these magnificent resources, for fishing, sustainable tourism and for the maintenance and continuation of our way of life. I welcome and strongly support WWF's campaign for new legislation and for proper resources to ensure its implementation."
Iwan Ball continues to explain how Welsh seas and the Welsh coastline can be better protected:
"The report highlighting areas of enormous natural importance will help in the development of this legislation which must include a national network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to preserve the richness and diversity of our seas and to restore sites wherever possible. Some areas may also need to be Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMRs) and must be part of a new integrated marine planning system."
Seven other 'hotspots' were identified across the UK. These included Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland, the Plymouth reefs in South Devon and the Blackwater Estuary in Essex.
These important areas or hotspots of marine biodiversity are under threat from pressures such as waste disposal, water contamination, unsustainable fishing practices and climate change.
A variety of habitats and species types are found in the Menai Strait – these include the grey seal and the honeycomb worm which makes inter-tidal and sub-tidal reefs that harbour lots of other species like crabs, and makes ideal nursery areas for fish.
Iwan Ball, Marine Policy Officer for WWF Cymru, said, "This report identifies the Menai Strait as one of the most valuable areas in Wales for marine biodiversity and the need to better protect it. Our seas are becoming busier than ever before due to a variety of human activities such as shipping, dredging and wind farms, which threaten the marine environment."
As a result WWF Cymru is calling for the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to develop robust legislation through a Marine Act to provide stronger protection for our marine wildlife and habitats.
Hywel Williams, Plaid MP for Caernarfon, says, "Wales has an amazingly diverse coastline and a rich marine biodiversity which needs to be protected and fostered. Both the Menai Straits and the Llyn peninsula in my Caernarfon constituency are marine environments of national, UK and European importance. Local communities depend on these magnificent resources, for fishing, sustainable tourism and for the maintenance and continuation of our way of life. I welcome and strongly support WWF's campaign for new legislation and for proper resources to ensure its implementation."
Iwan Ball continues to explain how Welsh seas and the Welsh coastline can be better protected:
"The report highlighting areas of enormous natural importance will help in the development of this legislation which must include a national network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to preserve the richness and diversity of our seas and to restore sites wherever possible. Some areas may also need to be Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMRs) and must be part of a new integrated marine planning system."
Seven other 'hotspots' were identified across the UK. These included Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland, the Plymouth reefs in South Devon and the Blackwater Estuary in Essex.
