It is of vital importance that all those concerned about the conservation and health of our marine environment, whatever their interest in it, speak up now to ensure these issues are addressed, as there may never be another opportunity like this again in our lifetime.

Fish4ever supports the ‘Marine Conservation Society’ (MCS) in its recommendations to DEFRA, and is asking its supporters to add their voice and their weight to its report.

At the heart of MCSs recommendations are:

• Protected areas for important species and habitats with the implementation of ‘Nationally Important Marine Sites’ and ‘Highly Protected Marine Reserves’ ·
• Statutory protection for threatened species out to 200nautical miles (nm) instead of the current insufficient 12nm limit. ·
• The introduction and use of ‘Biodiversity Stop Orders’ to allow authorities to immediately halt any activities likely to cause damage to nationally important features. ·
• Adequate resources for monitoring and enforcement, including a proposed licensing system that immediately and effectively stops any proposals or activities which threaten marine habitats. ·
• A statutory ‘Marine Spatial Planning’ (MSP) system, using a holistic approach to manage and monitor the vast diversity of interests and ecosystems within the entire regional marine environment. ·
• The urgent managing of fisheries, addressing existing weaknesses, strengthening the powers of the “Sea Fisheries Committees’ and protecting ecosystems by minimizing the effects of fisheries on them. Fisheries have not been included in the current consultation which is of huge concern.

This Bill does not cover Scottish and Welsh territorial seas sadly, but hopefully it will provide a role model for others to follow in the near future.

We urge you to be part of this historic opportunity. Now is the time to stand up and say that the years of neglect to our marine environment must stop and that the Marine Bill has to put conservation at the heart of its structure. Please sign our letter, or write your own letter to Mr. Bench of DEFRA.

Thank you.

Download a complete copy of the Marine Bill here

www.mcsuk.org for more information about Marine Conservation Society and click msc action > mcs campaign > marine bill for a complete synopsis of their findings.