MARINE & COASTAL ACCESS ACT

Celebrations ahoy!

After years of campaigning, and much debating in both the Houses of Lords and Commons, the Marine & Coastal Access Bill has received Royal Assent and so becomes an Act.

This is a truly momentous event in the history of our seas and a fabulous step towards achieving ‘Living Seas’.

The Wildlife Trusts have a vision for UK seas in which wildlife thrives from the depths of the ocean to the coastal shallows. Our seas and sea life have a remarkable capacity to recover - only if given the chance.

What to know more? Check out our campaigning history below for further information, and browse our image gallery. By clicking on each image you’ll find out more about what the Marine & Coastal Access Act will do.

Join us on our journey
We now have the legislation to really make a difference – but this is when the job starts! We have the next five years to set the UK’s marine environment on the road to recovery. If we succeed, we will have achieved something our children and grandchildren will thank us for.

We would like you to join us on this journey – to be a part of this historic moment. Your support today could make all the difference for all our tomorrows. Find out how you can help.

Campaign history

The Wildlife Trusts have campaigned for many years for the introduction of the Marine & Coastal Access Act, which will bring coherence and clarity to the current plethora of marine legislation governing our seas and protection for our marine species and habitats.

1. Marine Reserves Report. We published the report, Marine Reserves – TLC for our seas and sea life. This explains the urgent action needed to allow UK seas to recover from centuries of over-intensive exploitation, for everything from food to building materials and oil. One of the key demands of The Wildlife Trusts is the creation of marine reserves; places where all fishing and other damaging activities are prohibited. In the report, The Wildlife Trusts name 15 important wildlife areas around the UK coast to illustrate how marine reserves might protect wildlife and contribute towards healthy seas. To view a copy of the updated 2009 report click here.
2. Healing the Sea - why we need Marine Reserves. Our campaign pamphlet has been distributed to all 600+ MPs.
3. Marine Opinion Poll. We commissioned an independent opinion poll which shows that the UK public feels very strongly about marine conservation. For more details click here.
4. Petition Fish. We gathered more than 170,000 signatures of support for a Marine Bill, using our giant Petition Fish (see picture below). The fish were displayed at a finale event in the House of Commons in October 2007. The event was attended by 77 MPs, and in total more than 160 MPs participated in the Petition Fish campaign.