Marine Life & Conservation
Committee criticises UK government over “lack of Commitment” on Marine Conservation plans
The development of conservation zones to protect the seas around the UK has been too slow, a group of MPs has said.
Last year, the government designated 27 marine conservation zones in the UK, while a further 37 zones could be designated by the end of 2015.
However, 127 areas are recommended for protection and the Environmental Audit Committee criticised a “lack of government commitment” on the issue.
The government said it was doing “more than ever” to protect marine habitats.
Marine conservation zones have been set up to conserve “nationally rare” or “threatened” habitats and wildlife in inshore waters, as well as in offshore seas around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
However, the report called on ministers to move more quickly and to establish more protected areas of the seas.
“This slow pace has been disappointing and suggests a lack of government commitment to this initiative”, the parliamentary committee said in the report.
The committee’s chairwoman, Joan Walley, said the zones could “protect our seas from over-fishing and give species and habitats space to recover”.
She said the government had been “too slow in creating these zones and it has failed to get coastal communities and fishermen on board”.
“It is now well over four years since the launch of the programme, yet only 27 of the 127 sites recommended by independent project groups have been designated.
“The government must stop trying to water down its pledge to protect our seas and move much quicker to establish further protection zones and ensure they can be enforced.”
She added: “When a rare species or biodiverse stretch of seabed is destroyed, it may be lost forever.”
Sarah North, Greenpeace’s UK head of oceans, said the report was a “damning indictment of government inaction”.
“In failing to create marine protection zones in English waters, ministers have yet again left fish stocks and wildlife to the mercy of those who treat the oceans like a mine to be exploited, rather than a resource to be cherished,” she said.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – the government department responsible for environmental protection – said two more phases of designation were expected over the next few years.
“Management measures are currently being drawn up to ensure effective, tailored protection for each of the sites.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news
Marine Life & Conservation
Double Bubble for Basking Sharks
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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