WWF-UK: Locals lobby for sea action
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Locals lobby for sea action
WWF and local businesses are today asking MPs to call on the Prime Minister to introduce a Marine Bill this year to protect the seas around Northern Ireland.
Issues such as falling fish catches, pollution, poor marine planning, better protection for our rare species and poor consultation on management issues are the 'on the ground' stories that WWF believes our MPs need to hear.
"Poor marine management affects every user of the sea. In Northern Ireland, we're not short of legislation – in fact we have over 100 pieces of legislation governing the coastal environment – we're short of effective management of this legislation," said Malachy Campbell, Policy Officer, WWF Northern Ireland.
Currently, there is only a complicated mish-mash of laws that fail to manage the growing pressures of man's activities in UK seas. In order to address this need, marine users from around the UK have taken part in a short film which will be shown to MPs in Westminster today to push the new Prime Minister for a Marine Bill to be included in this year's Queen's Speech. A new Marine Act would update the management of our activities at sea and protect the entire marine ecosystem.
David Knott, the Safety and Environmental Manager at the Port of Belfast was one of the stakeholders involved in the film. He explains, "One of the issues that we face is the potential conflict between land based planning and marine planning. A Marine Bill will give us a strategic framework within which we can work."
Other businesses from Northern Ireland, have also spoken out about the differences they have noted in the marine environment over the past few years. Raymond Moran, the Head Chef of the Beech Hill House Hotel is finding it increasingly difficult to source good sustainable fish for his menus and the producers in the Larne Lough Shell Fish Association are adamant that water pollution is a major risk for their business.
Malachy Campbell, WWF Northern Ireland, said: "The WWF film and the abundant evidence we already have, make it clear that if we are going to halt any further decline in the marine environment then we desperately need a UK Marine Act which is properly tailored to meet the needs of the unique Northern Ireland coastline."
"This legislation will enable government to designate a national network of Marine Conservation Zones, including some highly protected marine reserves.
"This would reform the planning and management of the UK seas, deliver smarter, more streamlined regulation and more joined-up government decisions. The Marine Bill must now be introduced by the Government this year."
To view the film and lobby your MP visit: wwf.org.uk/marineact/fairshare
"Poor marine management affects every user of the sea. In Northern Ireland, we're not short of legislation – in fact we have over 100 pieces of legislation governing the coastal environment – we're short of effective management of this legislation," said Malachy Campbell, Policy Officer, WWF Northern Ireland.
Currently, there is only a complicated mish-mash of laws that fail to manage the growing pressures of man's activities in UK seas. In order to address this need, marine users from around the UK have taken part in a short film which will be shown to MPs in Westminster today to push the new Prime Minister for a Marine Bill to be included in this year's Queen's Speech. A new Marine Act would update the management of our activities at sea and protect the entire marine ecosystem.
David Knott, the Safety and Environmental Manager at the Port of Belfast was one of the stakeholders involved in the film. He explains, "One of the issues that we face is the potential conflict between land based planning and marine planning. A Marine Bill will give us a strategic framework within which we can work."
Other businesses from Northern Ireland, have also spoken out about the differences they have noted in the marine environment over the past few years. Raymond Moran, the Head Chef of the Beech Hill House Hotel is finding it increasingly difficult to source good sustainable fish for his menus and the producers in the Larne Lough Shell Fish Association are adamant that water pollution is a major risk for their business.
Malachy Campbell, WWF Northern Ireland, said: "The WWF film and the abundant evidence we already have, make it clear that if we are going to halt any further decline in the marine environment then we desperately need a UK Marine Act which is properly tailored to meet the needs of the unique Northern Ireland coastline."
"This legislation will enable government to designate a national network of Marine Conservation Zones, including some highly protected marine reserves.
"This would reform the planning and management of the UK seas, deliver smarter, more streamlined regulation and more joined-up government decisions. The Marine Bill must now be introduced by the Government this year."
To view the film and lobby your MP visit: wwf.org.uk/marineact/fairshare
