Marine Life & Conservation
UK Sharks And Cetaceans Need Urgent Protection
The sharks and cetaceans of the UK’s seas need protection from pollution, over-fishing, boat traffic and marine development, a report says.
The Wildlife Trusts are calling on the government to create 17 protected zones for whales, dolphins, porpoises and sharks around the coasts of England and Wales.
Their report says that current policy fails to safeguard cetaceans.
The government says it is working to support the creatures, but it adds that it is not convinced protected zones offer the best way forward.
The Trusts argue that survival rates will improve if ministers designate areas where nutrient-rich water wells up from the deep ocean, feeding plankton which in turn attract species of fish.
They say that these areas should be free from intensive boat-use, bottom trawling, scallop-dredging and noisy development of offshore structures like wind farms.
The UK Government is working towards what it calls an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas. But the Trusts’ report said that”There’s a glaring omission: the absence of protection for the nutrient-rich places on which marine megafauna most depend.”
It says in England and Wales only one Special Area of Conservation – in Cardigan Bay – has been designated specifically to protect bottlenose dolphins. The Scottish government has earmarked three potential zones for protecting whales, dolphins and basking sharks.
Joan Edwards, of the Wildlife Trusts, said “These charismatic creatures are under threat. There’s a significant gap in marine protection policy – we have to do more.”
The report says the seas round the UK have 29 different species of whale, dolphin and porpoise and the second largest shark in the world – the basking shark. It says the reported numbers of many of the creatures have been falling.
HOTSPOTS PROPOSED FOR PROTECTION
- Farnes East, Coquet to St Marys – notable for white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and minke whale
- Mid St George’s Channel – notable for common dolphin
- Bideford North to Foreland Point – notable for harbour porpoise
- East of Celtic Deep – common dolphin and fin whale
- Celtic Deep – common dolphin and fin whale
- South of Celtic Deep – common dolphin and fin whale
- Western Channel – common dolphin, humpback whale and fin whale
- Manacles – basking shark, harbour porpoise and (seasonally) minke whale
- Lizard, Western channel – common dolphin, harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphin and basking shark
- Lyme Bay – harbour porpoise
- North and west coasts of Anglesey – harbour porpoise
- Lleyn Peninsula and the Sarnau – harbour porpoise and Risso’s dolphin
- Cardigan Bay – harbour porpoise
- Pembrokeshire Marine – harbour porpoise
- North of Celtic Deep – common dolphin.
- Eastern coastline including Silver Pit – harbour porpoise
- Dogger bank – notable for harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphin
A Defra spokesperson said “We recognise the importance of whales and dolphins – these are much loved, iconic animals which form a vital part of the marine ecosystem.
“But they can move across large areas of sea, so for this reason Marine Protected Areas may not be the most effective way to protect them. That’s why we continue to focus our efforts on more effective measures, such as reducing by-catch in fisheries.”
Joan Edwards replied: “We know dolphins, whales and sharks frequent areas of high productivity and use these areas not just for feeding but for important life stages such as mating and giving birth.
“Over 900 areas of high productivity have been designated as MPAs for cetaceans around the world – England and Wales are lagging behind.
“We accept that MPAs alone are unlikely to be the answer – yet they are a vital first step.”
The UK government is facing the risk of infraction by the European commission because it has not identified more MPAs for porpoises.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news
Photo: Paul Naylor
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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