Friday 11 July 2008

A coalition of Scotland's marine environment groups today welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government consultation on a Scottish Marine Bill, and urged people to support their campaign for effective measures to protect Scotland's seas to be included in the forthcoming Bill.

Calum Duncan, chair of umbrella group Scottish Environment LINK's Scottish Marine Bill campaign and Scottish Conservation Manager for the Marine Conservation Society, said:

We are launching a joint campaign to Save Scottish Seas. We believe that the Bill is a once in a lifetime opportunity to set tough targets to protect our wildlife and to achieve the recovery of the marine 'web-of-life' on which so many of Scottish livelihoods depend. We encourage the people of Scotland to respond to the consultation on a Scottish Marine Bill, which must have the marine environment at its heart and link closely to the UK Bill.

Scotland's coast and seas are home to a rich variety of wildlife, with 45 % of the EU's breeding seabirds, giant basking sharks and coral reefs. Yet there is evidence of decline in marine species and habitats and rising concerns about the impacts of human activities on the marine environment.

Jonny Hughes, Head of Policy at The Scottish Wildlife Trust said, 'After years of tireless campaigning by environmental organisations the Marine Bill is finally happening. The Bill should herald the dawn of a new era for Scotland's seas, one in which caring for the health of the marine environment is afforded top priority. The benefits will be clear, not just for marine wildlife but for the coastal communities which depend on a productive sea for their livelihoods.'

Helen McLachlan, WWF Scotland's Marine Policy Officer, said: 'If Scotland's marine environment is to remain healthy for the communities and wildlife that depend upon it then a comprehensive overhaul of the current system is needed. Scotland has the lions share of the UK's fishing industry, so it is vital to ensure that our valuable seas and their resources are managed and protected in the most effective way. In order to secure robust protection of all UK seas it is essential that a Marine Bill is passed in both Westminster and Scotland, with appropriate devolved legislation in Wales and Northern Ireland.'

Lloyd Austin, Head of Conservation Policy with RSPB Scotland said: 'The most recent reports from our coastal reserves show that seabirds are yet again experiencing a poor breeding season, leading to population drops. The Scottish Marine Bill must be a true policy shift to put the environment at the heart of decision-making, bringing about sustainable management of our seas rather than treating them as a resource to exploit with impunity.'

Andrew Bachell, Conservation Services and Projects Director for the National Trust for Scotland said: 'Our coastline, seas and islands such as St Kilda are world-renowned. Some of Scotland's most important habitats and landscapes ore on Trust land, as are about one quarter of the seabirds of the European Union. We believe that Scotland's seas and the wildlife it supports must be better protected. There is already too much evidence of the damage done. The Scottish Marine Bill is Scotland's opportunity to act to protect our seas, and the life and work that they support for the future.'

Sarah Dolman, Scottish Policy Lead at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society added: 'We are lucky to have such a rich diversity of marine wildlife, including whales, porpoises and dolphins, in Scottish waters, and it is only by protecting the places and conditions they need to survive, through co-ordination, precautionary conservation of species and inclusion of all marine users in legislation that we can ensure their future protection for generations to come.'