Our Coast, Our Sea - Make or break time for UK marine life

10 November 2011

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has received confirmation that the Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon MP will make a statement in the House of Commons on Monday 14 November regarding the future of the long-awaited network of marine conservations zones (MCZs), promised by the Government for 2012.

It is believed that the announcement is likely to be that the MCZs will go through a phased designation process with only 30 sites being designated in 2012 with a potential 40 for the following year – this is a far cry from the 127 sites which were originally recognised as future designated sites.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is urging members of the public to write to Richard Benyon as a matter of urgency to ask for the Government to create the proposed network of 127 in England; a letter template is available from the wildlife charity’s website – log on at www.nwt.org.uk and click on the news page.

Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust said:
“It’s make or break time for the UK’s marine life; looking back over my 20 year conservation career, I have never experienced a time of greater concern for the future of our seas. The Government has lost its direction and is proposing to cut the 127 sites down to an unrealistic 30 in contradiction with the aims of the new Marine and Coastal Access Act.”

Steve added: “With Wildlife Trusts all around the UK, we are lobbying hard for the successful completion of a process that will make the difference between the life or death of our seas. We need to demonstrate the weight of public support for Marine Conservation Zones to Government. This is a once in a lifetime chance. We can’t afford to let it slip away.”