The WWF charity is delighted that our seas will finally be given effective protection from damaging activities after the Government committed to a full UK Marine & Coastal Access Bill.
As well as establishing a network of marine protected areas to safeguard important species and habitats, the Bill could simplify the management of our many activities at sea. This would lead to the improved management of competing demands such as renewable energy developments and fisheries activities.
The WWF maintain that new marine plans must extend around the whole of the UK coastline and stretch across the borders between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland if they are to be fully effective in protecting our seas.
Natasha Barker, Senior Marine Policy Officer at WWF-UK says:
‘Today marks a momentous day for UK seas, their precious wildlife and habitats, and our coastal communities. In the time it’s taken to introduce this legislation, the impacts of climate change have amplified the many pressures already taking their toll on marine biodiversity. Now, after ten years of campaigning, we finally have an opportunity to reverse the decline of our seas and we urge the UK Government to waste no time in introducing the Marine & Coastal Access Bill into Parliament.’
If everyone used natural resources and generated carbon emissions at the rate we do in the UK we would need three planets to support us. The way we live is leading to environmental threats such as climate change, species extinction, deforestation, water shortages and the collapse of fisheries. WWF’s One Planet Future Campaign is working to help people live a good quality of life within the earth’s capacity.
