Gary Sedgwick
22-06-2006, 15:05
I am forwarding this call for support from Seasearch here as I'm sure they won't mind, and I imagine many of the divers on these forums will want to get involved. Act quickly though - the deadline for submissions is tomorrow.
Dear Seasearch supporter
As many of you will know the government is currently consulting on the proposed Marine Bill. Currently UK legislation for the protection of marine wildlife and habitat is weak or non-existent and this is a great opportunity to achieve realistic protection.
As we speak there are only three statutory marine reserves in the UK (Lundy, Skomer and Strangford Lough) and even in these tiny areas fishing carries on unaffected, except for a portion of the Lundy reserve. The proportion of our seas effectively protected is infinitesimal, far less than most countries throughout the world.
Outside these tiny areas activities damaging to fragile marine wildlife continue unchecked. In Lyme Bay long living pink sea fans are being killed by scallopers and a voluntary code has been broken by the trawlermen. Populations of our largest bivalve, the fan mussel, have shrunk dramatically and now the living examples we know about can be counted on two hands. In the north the northern sea fan, graceful sea pens 2 metres tall, and the wonderful fireworks anemone are effectively unprotected.
All these are species surveyed on Seasearch dives - divers see what is going on and are in a great position to campaign for effective protection for our marine wildlife.
All you have to do to make a difference is go to the Marine Conservation Society website www.mcsuk.org and follow the instructions. MCS has drafted a very good letter that you can adapt to reflect your own views sign and send to DEFRA .
Please DO IT NOW - this is are only chance to influence what will be included in the Marine Bill - Seasearch divers' opinions must count. The consultation closes tomorrow 23rd June so please don't delay.
Dear Seasearch supporter
As many of you will know the government is currently consulting on the proposed Marine Bill. Currently UK legislation for the protection of marine wildlife and habitat is weak or non-existent and this is a great opportunity to achieve realistic protection.
As we speak there are only three statutory marine reserves in the UK (Lundy, Skomer and Strangford Lough) and even in these tiny areas fishing carries on unaffected, except for a portion of the Lundy reserve. The proportion of our seas effectively protected is infinitesimal, far less than most countries throughout the world.
Outside these tiny areas activities damaging to fragile marine wildlife continue unchecked. In Lyme Bay long living pink sea fans are being killed by scallopers and a voluntary code has been broken by the trawlermen. Populations of our largest bivalve, the fan mussel, have shrunk dramatically and now the living examples we know about can be counted on two hands. In the north the northern sea fan, graceful sea pens 2 metres tall, and the wonderful fireworks anemone are effectively unprotected.
All these are species surveyed on Seasearch dives - divers see what is going on and are in a great position to campaign for effective protection for our marine wildlife.
All you have to do to make a difference is go to the Marine Conservation Society website www.mcsuk.org and follow the instructions. MCS has drafted a very good letter that you can adapt to reflect your own views sign and send to DEFRA .
Please DO IT NOW - this is are only chance to influence what will be included in the Marine Bill - Seasearch divers' opinions must count. The consultation closes tomorrow 23rd June so please don't delay.