 Inclusion of Marine and coastal access bill in draft Legislative Programme brings hope of healthy seas.
Conservationists are welcoming today's announcement that the draft Marine and coastal access bill has been included in the government's Draft Legislative Programme.
The bill provides for marine conservation zones and the powers to protect them. Dorset's coast includes the nationally important Lyme Bay reefs, home to the pink sea fan and sunset cup corals, which are currently at risk from mechanical scallop dredgers. Hundreds of dead pink sea fans are regularly found on Chesil Beach by volunteers from Dorset Wildlife Trust, washed up after being broken off by the dredgers.
Simon Cripps, Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust, welcomed the announcement: "This Marine Bill contains many measures we have lobbied for and will benefit environmentalist, fishermen and other marine users alike. While we can't see it from above the surface, the seas of the UK are badly degraded. This Bill is a great step forward, but the big test will be how quickly it is implemented, so that our seas can again return to being healthy and productive."
Stephanie Hilborne, The Wildlife Trusts' chief executive, said: "With this Marine and coastal access bill, we've finally laid the foundations for the protection of our seas. The Wildlife Trusts have campaigned for many years for new laws to bring marine conservation into the 21st century and we are delighted that the Government has today included the Bill in its draft Legislative Programme."
To find out more about The Wildlife Trusts' Marine Bill Campaign, visit www.wildlifetrusts.org and click on Living Seas.
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Notes to Editor:
For more information please contact Peter Tinsley at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.
For details of the legislative programme see http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm73/7372/7372.pdf
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