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UK Marine Bill Campaign

Britain has an important and diverse composition of maritime species and habitats, influenced by the division between colder Arctic and warmer Mediterranean waters around our shores.

More than twice the number of major animal groups are found in Britain’s seas than on the land. In fact, over 44,000 species may be found ranging from basking sharks to brittle stars, yet it is considered that, compared to the terrestrial environment, the UK’s coasts and seas are poorly cared for.

The marine environment, the life it contains and the landscapes it forms are an integral part of the UK’s national identity and are an important part of our common heritage. It is a source of employment, makes substantial contributions to the UK economy, provides enjoyment for millions of people and contributes to the general well-being of society.

The social as well as many of the economic benefits we gain from the marine environment is inexorably tied to its quality, to the maintenance of coherent and functioning marine ecosystems and thus to the biodiversity it contains.

Plankton for example play a crucial role in CO2 absorption which is important in addressing climate change. It is estimated that they have absorbed about 40% of our outputs since the 1800s.

ZSL has been working with other conservation organisations through the Wildlife and Countryside Link to gain commitment from the UK government for a Marine Bill. We want a number of measures to be adopted to improve marine protection, including:

• A co-ordinated approach and overall vision for UK waters, including an ecosystem-based approach to managing the marine environment;
• Improved, properly enforced marine legislation, including the designation of protected areas and better species protection;
• A planning system to enable strategic and integrated - rather than piecemeal - management of activities at sea; and
• A new system for managing inshore fisheries.

On 29 March 2006, the UK government launched a 12 week public consultation on the Marine Bill. ZSL welcomes the government’s commitment to establishing better management of our seas and urges that the legislation is past as quickly as possible, and will be responding to the consultation itself and through Link.

For further information about the WCL Campaign and WCL marine bill bulletins please visit www.wcl.org.uk

Read the UK Government Marine Bill.