In March 2007, The Wildlife Trusts launched its web-based campaign group, the Save our Seas (SoS) team. One year on and the group has more than 700 online members, working together to urge government to implement new laws that control how our seas are managed and protected.
Lisa Chilton, marine development manager, told us that “during the last year, our Save our Seas campaigners have been working incredibly hard to secure a healthy future for our seas and sea life.
“As well as writing personal letters to Gordon Brown calling for a Marine Bill, the online campaigners have emailed MPs asking them to take action to prevent damage from scallop-dredging and oil spills, responded to Defra’s consultation on protection of the Lyme Bay reefs, and signed and widely promoted our online petitions.”
A recent online poll undertaken by msn.co.uk shows that work to raise awareness of marine issues and the state of our seas is paying off, and that there’s a lot more support out there. Of the 2,000 people who have so far responded to the poll, a massive 92 per cent agree that the Government should be doing more to safeguard our seas.
London’s marine life
The SoS campaign is massively relevant to London. The Thames Estuary is one of the largest in the country, stretching from Margate in Kent to Teddington in the west of the capital. It hosts a complex array of habitats, acting as a wildlife corridor and allowing a great variety of marine species to live and migrate throughout its 95 mile length.
SoS campaign member from London Graym McMillan explains: “The SoS team helps me to focus my efforts to persuade policy-makers and politicians to take effective measures and support the progress of a Marine Bill for UK waters. It’s a straightforward and enjoyable way to ensure that I make the greatest impact that I can.”
Marine Bill
When the draft Marine Bill is published soon (expected 3 April) the Wildlife Trust’s hope that the SoS campaigners will be rewarded with the introduction of much stronger conservation measures, including highly protected sites known as Marine Reserves. But we need to keep the pressure up. We need as many people as possible who share our passion for the marine environment to stand up for our seas by joining the SoS team.
Visit www.wild-net.org/saveourseas to add your support to the online Save our Seas campaign, or http://news.uk.msn.com/save-our-seas.aspx to learn more about the marine environment, listen to the podcast and to have your say.
Extraordinarily rich in wildlife
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.
Urgent global issue
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.”.
Your seas need you
The UK’s sea life needs your help. Our seas are home to an extraordinary range of wildlife, from dolphins and sharks to colourful corals. But this fragile environment has been damaged by decades of use and abuse. Less than 0.001% of our sea area is fully protected from fishing, dredging and all damaging activities. Out of sight and out of mind, our marine environment is suffering from serious neglect.
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