Marine Act campaign
WWF is pressing for new legislation to protect the UK’s marine environment, and manage the growing pressure placed on them by human activities. These include fishing, oil and gas exploration, renewable energy schemes, leisure activities and shipping.
The UK’s 20,000km of coastline has incredibly diverse coastal and marine habitats. These range from sheltered lagoons and coves, deep sea lochs and muddy estuaries to wave-lashed rocky coasts and deep waters off the edge of the continental shelf.
Sadly, we are currently relying on a complicated mishmash of laws to manage the growing pressures of human activity in UK seas. A multitude of organisations and (sometimes conflicting and contradictory) laws and policies govern the various activities in the sea around the UK. For example, separate laws exist for wind farms, port development and fisheries.
To protect UK seas, we need Marine Acts for the UK and Scotland with appropriate devolved legislation to manage our marine environment sustainably.
WWF has identified six key issues that the government must address in its forthcoming Marine Bills:
- a proper planning system for the sea
- a network of marine protected areas
- promoting the ecosystem approach to managing the marine environment – considering the needs of the whole marine ecosystem, rather than focusing on individual activities such as fishing or energy exploration
- better fisheries management
- effective governance through a new Marine Management Organisation renewables and climate change action supported through new marine legislation.
The Marine Bills are a once in a lifetime opportunity for our management of the seas to be improved and to help secure sustainable use of our seas for future generations.
The Campaign so far
Sally Bailey, North East Atlantic Marine Manager, WWF-UK, speaks about the crucial draft Marine Bill and how precious our seas and animals are.
Campaign issues
WWF has identified the key issues that need to be addressed in the government's Marine Bill.
A fair share of the sea
We need a UK Marine Bill now. Watch our film and see what those whose livelihoods depend on the sea have to say.