It’s official - we do like to be beside the seaside!

3rd August, 2007

Whether it’s somewhere to enjoy the holidays or a resource for the food we eat, the results of a survey by The Wildlife Trusts show just how much we have come to depend on our marine environment.

Over 1,200 people from across the UK took part in the telephone survey commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts to examine public attitudes to our seas. When asked to choose from a list of six options*, a day at the seaside topped the poll as people’s favourite leisure activity, taking over a third of the vote. More than 9/10 of respondents saw the sea as an important food source, but more than three-quarters felt that there are fewer fish in the sea than 20 years ago. Respondents were very supportive of marine conservation and, on average, thought that 62% of our seas should be protected in Marine Reserves – conservation areas where all damaging activities are banned.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Lisa Browning, The Wildlife Trusts’ marine development manager, says: “Clearly, the UK public places great value on our seas and believes that they should be properly protected. Overall, people thought that 27% of our sea area is already safe within Marine Reserves. In reality, the figure is less than 0.001%. We urgently need new laws to protect our seas and marine life”.

The UK’s seas are extraordinarily rich in wildlife, home to more than 44,000 animal and plant species, from intricate corals to the giant basking sharks recently spotted off the Cornish coast. However our seas are poorly protected compared to terrestrial habitats and are under increasing pressure from offshore activities and as climate change alters marine ecosystems. The Wildlife Trusts have been campaigning for many years for a Marine Bill to deliver better protection for our marine wildlife. One of the key demands of The Wildlife Trusts’ campaign for a Marine Bill is the creation of ‘Highly Protected Marine Reserves’ where all fishing and other damaging activities are prohibited.

Lisa Browning, adds: “Like climate change, the destruction of marine wildlife is an urgent global issue and the UK Government must take a lead by protecting our own seas. We cannot delay marine legislation any longer - the urgency to protect marine biodiversity is unquestionable. The Marine Bill is the key piece of legislation that will enable the Government to deliver urgently needed protection for our marine wildlife in the UK. The Marine Bill must be included in the 2007 Queen’s Speech and it must deliver Highly Protected Marine Reserves”.

The Wildlife Trusts have devised an innovative way of gathering petition signatures to support their campaign for a Marine Bill – the Petition Fish.

Lisa Browning explains: “The Petition Fish are large, brightly coloured plastic templates, representing 4 fish found in UK waters (cod, triggerfish, wrasse and flatfish). To support the petition, you sign a scale and attach it to the fish. In October all the Petition Fish will be collected together and this ‘shoal’ of 200 Petition Fish will be taken to the Houses of Parliament by The Wildlife Trusts as a public show of support for a Marine Bill to protect our seas. Thousands of people and over 100 MPs have already pledged their support by signing petition fish scales. It’s a simple way for people to get involved and to help save our seas. Just contact your local Wildlife Trust for details”.

Don’t forget The Wildlife Trusts’ Marine Week runs from 4-19 August. This celebration of the sea features events all around the UK - you can try your hand at bird or seal watching, go on a seashore safari, try snorkelling or learn how to go crabbing the eco-friendly way. At many events you will be able to sign a Petition Fish scale and pledge your support for a Marine Bill to protect our seas. Visit the Marine & Coastline pages at www.wildlifetrusts.org for information on Marine Week, the Marine Bill and how to get involved with the work of the Wildlife Trusts.

Story by RSWT

More Information

Please contact Adam Cormack on 01636 670063 or 07824 846204

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