Marine Life & Conservation
A golden opportunity or a broken promise? Government’s chance to secure future health of UK’s struggling seas
Marine Conservation Society calls for ambitious policy as Fisheries Bill returns to the Commons
The new Fisheries Bill is a prime opportunity for the UK Government to put in place policies which support the future health of the UK’s seas. The Marine Conservation Society is urging politicians and policymakers to put sustainability and science at the forefront of future fisheries management and retain the inclusion of key amendments in the Fisheries Bill as it returns to the House of Commons on 1st September 2020.
The charity believes crucial amendments in two areas of the Bill must remain: environmental sustainability as the prime objective of the Bill, and a commitment to rolling out Remote Electronic Monitoring with cameras (REM) on all vessels fishing in UK waters.
The Marine Conservation Society’s recent campaign, ‘Say No to Red Rated Seafood’, garnered over 13,000 signatures from the public who want unsustainable, ‘red rated’ seafood to become a thing of the past. The petition calls on UK government and business to improve the fate of unsustainable fisheries for the future health of UK seas, the Fisheries Bill is a golden opportunity to do just that.
The charity’s 2018 campaign ‘May Not Contain Fish’ further shows the public’s support for ambitious and sustainable legislation. Almost 19,000 people responded to the UK Government’s consultation on post-Brexit fisheries management and called for sustainability to be at the heart of new legislation. The UK Fisheries Bill is an opportunity to develop legislation which responds to the public’s call for a sustainable future for the UK’s fisheries and delivers on government promises.
In a survey conducted by Rakuten, 75% of UK respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “Protecting the health of the environment should be a priority for governments and the public”. In a landscape shaped by the environmental impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, the public wants to see government committed to putting the health of the environment first.
A truly green recovery from the pandemic will secure a healthy environment for future generations, bringing economic benefits with it. The recovery of fish stocks to healthy levels would increase the value of fish landings significantly, resulting in an estimated 5,000 new jobs. Healthy seas full of life bring with them economic gain for those reliant upon the UK’s blue resources for employment and income. Ensuring the Fisheries Bill is led by sustainability is the first step towards a fruitful green and blue recovery.
Sandy Luk, CEO of the Marine Conservation Society: “Undeniably, our seas are struggling and the UK public wants solutions. Governments have failed to meet 2020 deadlines to end overfishing and so we can no longer accept “business as usual’ and short-term thinking from our leaders. The new Fisheries Bill, with these important amendments, would mark the start of progressive new management that would finally allow the recovery of our important fisheries resources.
“The Fisheries Bill is a prime opportunity for governments to show their commitment to a healthy and well-protected ocean for the future. Without sustainability as the prime objective, the UK Government will miss its chance to achieve its promise of truly sustainable fisheries.”
The Fisheries Bill will return to the House of Commons on 1st September 2020 for its Second Reading stage.
To keep up to date and learn more about the Marine Conservation Society’s key asks, please visit www.mcsuk.org.
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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