Government urged to act over UK’s seas ‘crisis’
The Government is being urged to act quickly to protect Britain’s seas after a new report from the WWF concluded that many species are in “crisis”.
Tuesday’s report finds that 13 of 16 flagship species identified are in decline. It reports that the decline of their habitats is also “threatening the very integrity of the seas”.
It blames inadequate planning and poor management by the relevant authorities for the increasing problem.
Comparing the situation with the WWF’s 2000 marine report, the scientists claim that many of the threats identified then – such as coastal development and sand and gravel extraction from the sea bed – have now manifested themselves.
Other threats highlighted are pollution and invasion by non-native species.
Launching its Five Year Strategy in December, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that within the next parliament a bill could be launched to “ensure greater protection of marine resources, and simplify regulation, so that all uses of the sea, including for example wind farms, can develop sustainably and harmoniously.”
The WWF wants such a bill to establish “a long-term holistic vision” for seas management and to prevent conflicts of interests around the UK’s shores. It argues that the current situation, whereby management of the seas is shared by a number of agencies, has led to “confusing, fragmented, often conflicting policies and a costly, bureaucratic system of governance that does not effectively promote the health or economic potential of our seas”.
Commenting on today’s report, WWF senior policy officer Jan Brown said: “This report clearly shows that five years on the plight of the UK’s seas has worsened. Our marine heritage is in a shameful state for a maritime nation.”
She added that: “A lack of strategic planning has led to conflicting marine activities and overexploitation in certain areas of our seas. For proper protection we need a long-term holistic approach that integrates development plans with conservation requirements – only then will we be able to achieve sustainable development.”
The WWF argues that the UK’s marine legislation has been developed on a sector by sector and ad hoc basis, resulting in “disjointed management and inappropriate planning of the marine environment” whilst wildlife protection has not kept pace with development.
It is calling for strategic spatial planning and an ecosystem approach to management to be at the centre of the Marine Bill. Its Draft Marine Bill claims to show how sustainable use of marine resources will benefit all sectors, such as fishing and tourism, whilst also preserving the natural environment.
It proposes spatial management of the seas and restricted zones to preserve important habitats. It also calls for the Government to assume a duty of care for all marine species either native to or travelling through the UK.
Ms Brown added: “WWF believes that a UK Marine Act is the only real solution to the crisis in our seas. This will require all government departments to realise that the seas are vital, not only for wildlife, but also for the economy. WWF wants to enable coastal and offshore developments, such as renewable energy schemes, to prosper without damaging the marine environment.”
