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Marine and coastal policy |
Why seas and coasts matter
Every year, just under eight million seabirds from 26 species, such as puffins and terns, come to the shores of the British Isles to breed, often in spectacular colonies, like these gannets. Millions more waders, gulls, divers and seaducks, winter in and around our coasts and estuaries. The UK and Ireland support a large part of the world populations of a number of seabirds, including 90% of the world’s Manx shearwaters, many on RSPB reserves in the UK. We have both a national and an international duty to conserve them – legally and morally. These birds face many threats to their survival at sea, notably from fisheries, loss of feeding habitat or food, from increasing offshore development and also by getting tangled in marine litter and debris or from pollution such as oil and chemicals. The RSPB works on a range of issues to protect and conserve seabirds and shorebirds The sea around our coasts provides us with a unique environment that is a place of beauty and enjoyment for millions of people each year and if kept in good condition, can benefit our health and lifestyle too. It supports many thousands of jobs, an increasing number of industries and is a method of transport around the globe. We use it and play in it but it is also home to one of the most diverse and amazing marine environments in Europe. The RSPB works on a range of issues to protect and conserve these seabirds and shorebirds and the wonderful marine environment on which they depend from the impacts of human activities.
What can I do?Our precious seas are dying from neglect. Your support today will help safeguard our sea life. Last modified: 26 June 2007 | In more depth |
Rape seed, close up - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Three puffins standing on a rock - Steve Round
Ice glacier, Jökulsárlón, Iceland - (iStockPhoto, Ref: 1809179)