Sep 25 2007
Young - Marine Act Now!
A Marine Act is key to the future planning and management of the UK’s energy, food, climate change mitigation and transport. It is also key to the conservation of our wonderful national biological diversity from basking sharks and sea horses to mussel beds and saltmarsh. In 2005, the Government promised a new law for our seas in this parliament. Sadly, we’re still waiting. A Marine Bill White Paper was produced earlier this year but we now need the UK Government to commit to produce a Marine Act in the next Parliamentary Session or they could renege on their manifesto commitment.
Melissa Moore, Senior Policy Officer, MCS said “We are pleased to see the Liberal Democrats supporting our call for a Marine Act Now. MP’s of all persuasions, NGOs and the general public are now getting impatient waiting for a Marine Act. We have no choice but to question the Government’s commitment to the a Marine Act and implementaion of their manifesto commitment to produce a Marine Bill in this parliament.”
MCS UK and MCS Scotland have been campaigning for a UK Marine Act and a Marine Act for Scotland for many years. A UK Marine Act is urgently needed to introduce new laws to better protect our marine wildlife and habitats and to improve inshore fisheries management. The UK Marine Act needs to cover all UK waters as a range of activities such as shipping and oil & gas are not devolved; however other activities such as marine renewables and fisheries in Scotland are making a Marine Act for Scotland also essential.
“As yet there is still no firm commitment from the Scottish Government that they will sign up to the UK Marine Act. Their support for the UK Marine Act as well as a commitment to develop a UK Marine Act is therefore also urgent” Melissa Moore
Contact
MCS Senior Policy Officer : Melissa Moore 07793 118386
MCS Head Office: Richard Harrington 01989 566017
Editors Notes:
1. THE MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, protection of marine life and their habitats, and the sensitive use of our marine resources for future generations. Through education, community involvement and collaboration, MCS raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and promotes individual, industry and government action to protect the marine environment. MCS provides information and guidance on many aspects of marine conservation and produces the annual Good Beach Guide (www.goodbeachguide.co.uk), the Good Fish Guide and www.fishonline.org on sustainable seafood, as well as promoting public participation in volunteer projects and surveys such as Beachwatch, Adopt-a-Beach and Basking Shark Watch.www.mcsuk.org
2. MARINE ACT: MCS is campaigning for the Government to introduce a Marine Bill in the next Parliamentary session. A Marine Bill is urgently needed to provide better protection for marine species and habitats and establish a planning system for the sustainable management of the marine environment.
MCS together with many other UK NGOs believes that the A UK Marine Act must include:
§ Reform of inshore fisheries legislation to address the existing weaknesses and gaps in the management, strengthening the powers of the Sea Fisheries Committees. At present much fisheries legislation takes too long to introduce and dates from the 1960’s, some even as far back as the late 19th century!
§ Legislation to provide for the designation of a representative network of Nationally Important Marine Sites which must include a series of Highly Protected Marine Reserves. At present only 0.001% of UK seas are fully protected in a reserve at a site off Lundy island in the Bristol channel.
§ A marine planning system, as at present there is no planning system at sea as there is on land. As marine industries such as offshore wind proliferate a planning system is needed to reduce conflict between industries and ensure some sites are set aside for nature conservation.
3. Why Marine Planning is essential to UK citizens
Biodiversity – over 50% of UK biodiversity can be found in our seas yet only 0.001% are fully protected.
Food – the UK is reliant on our seas to provide fish protein for a balanced healthy diet
Trade & transport – as an island nation the UK is more reliant on ports and shipping than most countries with over 95% of our imports and exports delivered by ship
Construction – over 25 % of UK concrete in the SE and 90% in Wales is from seabed sand
Energy – our seas are key to meeting the UK’s renewables; oil & gas and gas storage needs
Climate Change – a Marine Bill is key to the licensing and planning of CO2 sequestration Health – UK citizens spend much leisure
