From the Severn Estuary to the Firth of Forth, we spoke to sea anglers, oyster fishermen, marine biologists and offshore renewable experts. They all agree on one thing - the UK Marine Bill must be introduced without delay.

"A Marine Bill, with provisions for Highly Protected Marine Nature Reserves, will enable the establishment of areas where scientists and the public can see marine life as close as possible to how it should look".

Dr Keith Hiscock, Biodiversity & Conservation Scientist at the Marine Biological Association

"Britain's seas are of international importance for their wildlife. Scotland alone is home to almost half of Europe's seabirds. A Marine Bill is essential to ensure that this outstanding environment and wildlife is properly safeguarded for future generations".

Tom Brock OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Seabird Centre

"If we are to seriously tackle climate change, the next decade must see a significant proportion of this country's electricity being generated renewably offshore. To deliver that, we need an efficient and effective planning regime for the marine environment. Only the Planning Reform Bill and the Marine Bill together will give us that."

Daniel Meredith, Energy Policy Manager, E.ON UK



Find out more in our full length film (18 mins).

Why we need a UK Marine Bill now

• Less than 2% of UK seas are protected, and our current laws don't protect all our marine wildlife. In fact only 0.001% of our seas are fully protected from all damaging human activities.
• In WWF's Marine Health Check Report 2005, 13 of the 16 key species and habitats monitored were in decline; including harbour porpoise, common skate, native oyster, pink sea fan, salt marshes and seagrass beds.
• A UK Marine Bill is needed to develop a national network of Marine Protected Areas and a series of highly protected marine reserves.
• A UK Marine Bill will replace the confusing mish-mash of over 80 marine laws with a single planning system that puts sustainable development, species and wildlife at the heart of the decision-making process.
• A UK Marine Bill will vastly improve and speed up the planning process for offshore renewable energy development, helping us meet our Climate Change targets.
• Five per cent of the UK's Gross Domestic Product comes from coastal and maritime activities. A UK Marine Bill will help protect our precious marine resources and better manage these activities through a single law.