Last chance to save our seas?
9 July 2009
As the long-awaited UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill comes close to being finalised in parliament, new WWF research confirms how much of our marine life is under threat – from over-fishing, oil and gas drilling and climate change.
Our timely Marine Health Check Update reminds us just how vital it is that we get strong laws to protect our seas.
The species looked at include:
- Harbour porpoise – despite being the most legally protected species in the UK, populations are still declining because of accidental capture or bycatch
- Pink sea fan – this spectacular soft coral is one of our most exotic seabed species, but continues to be damaged by fishing gear and made more vulnerable to disease
- Seagrass beds – provide rich habitats for an array of marine life, including seahorses, and an important source of food for wading birds, but are still being damaged by trawling and anchoring, and depleted populations show no sign of recovery
- Atlantic salmon – continue to decline and the whole UK population is considered unstable. The number of salmon returning to British rivers from our seas is still a fraction of what is was 30 years ago
WWF Marine Policy Officer, Dr Lyndsey Dodds, says:
“We hope when we get the results of the next Marine Health Check in five years’ time, these species will have started to recover thanks to strong and effective legislation.”
The seaside comes to Westminster
On Wednesday 8 July, a group of UK school children conveyed their concerns about UK marine species and habitats to the Marine Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies.
They’re seen here presenting him with their own hand-made seaside postcards, which highlight some of the threats facing our seas.
You can….
Comments
Add your comment