Our seas
Our seas
UK shores and waters are home to a wide range of plants and animals, including seabirds, mammals, fish, seabed species, molluscs, sponges, algae and invertebrates. From the smallest seahorse to the mighty killer whale, our seas contain a spectacular array of marine life.
Far from being grey and uninteresting, life below the waves comprises a technicolour feast of intricately interlinked species that include the weird and the wonderful.
The marine wildlife relies on a healthy marine environment to thrive. WWF's Marine Health Check report 2005 concluded that the UK's seas are in crisis with some species and habitats, including the common skate and seagrass beds, having suffered serious decline. To reverse this situation, we need action now. We need a Marine Act for our seas and for us, too.