The WWF UK is concerned that the Parlimentary legislation, the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill, will not protect the future health of some of the UK’s most endangered species and habitats. New research by WWF shows that the UK’s
marine biodiversity remains under threat from oil and gas exploitation, fishing, and climate change.
The WWF currently carries out a survey called the Marine Health Check update, which reveals that despite being the most heavily protected species in the UK, populations of the harbour porpoise are still declining along with Atlantic Salmon. Seagrass beds are showing no sign of recovery through trawling, whilst one of the UK’s most exotic sea bed species, the Pink Sea Fan, continues to be damaged.
Marine Policy Officer at WWF-UK, Dr Lyndsey Dodds, says:
WWF’s Marine Health Check has shown no improvement in the status of iconic species such as the harbour porpoisesince the year 2000. It is clear that the mish-mash of current laws governing the use of our seas is having a catastrophic effect on marine wildlife. We need to ensure that new legislation will reverse this trend and reduce the many pressures being placed on our most vulnerable species. The Government has a golden opportunity through the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, to ensure that our marine species and habitats are protected, once and for all. We hope that when we receive the results of the next Marine Health Check in five years time, these species will have started to recover thanks to robust and effective legislation.
The WWF is now urging the Government to designate specific marine protected areas to safeguard sensitive species and habitats. With the Marine and Coastal Access Bill currently going through Parliment, the final points of the legislation need to be finalised now, to ensure the conservation and restoration of the nations marine environments.
