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Our precious seas are dying from neglect - increasingly overfished, over-trafficked and over-developed.With your help, we've achieved a new law - the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act - that finally gives our oceans the urgent and effective protection they deserve. But this is just the start. The UK Government must now use these new powers to create protected areas for creatures as diverse as basking sharks, seabirds and corals, and their habitats, to recover and prosper without the threat of human activities. In Scotland and Northern Ireland we're continuing to campaign for effective legislation to cover their inshore waters, to ensure all the UK's seas are fully protected. Together, we can help safeguard our sea life.  BlogWe did it! Welcome to the new UK Marine Act.Posted 12 Nov 2009 After a decade of campaigning we can finally celebrate. Today, 12th November 2009, the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes law. The UK's marine wildlife above and below the waves surrounding England and Wales, and in offshore waters around the whole UK, should now be afforded the level of protection that it so desperately needs. Thank you to everyone who backed our campaign and help push this important legislation through Parliament. We know that RSPB supporters have played a big part in making this law a reality. Quite simply we could not acheived such a fantastic result without your support. Its time to celebrate and be proud. Written by kim barratt Seal of approvalPosted 3 Nov 2009 Some years, Shetland's weather goes from summer to winter and seems to skip autumn. Such is 2009! This photo, taken at West Voe in the south of Shetland, shows typical conditions at the moment. You can see Sumburgh Head RSPB reserve in the background. Long-tailed ducks have returned from their Arctic breeding grounds and can frequently be seen in the area.
Written by helen moncrieff Killer whales shot near ShetlandPosted 13 Oct 2009 I just heard that Gordon and Jesse have had success with shooting orca (on camera of course!!). Woohooo! On that website, you can also see a wee bit of Gordon going down memory lane at our RSPB reserve Sumburgh Head, puzzling over fulmars being around in the autumn. I'll write about fulmars in a future post (having gone on about projectile vomit previously!). The RSPB has an Autumnwatch related webpage here http://www.rspb.org.uk/autumnwatch/ Written by helen moncrieff Autumnwatch's Gordon Buchanan returns to ShetlandPosted 12 Oct 2009 This week I have been delighted to have the company of wildlife cameraman and television presenter Gordon Buchanan. A couple of years ago we met at Sumburgh Head, when Gordon was making a wildlife documentary for BBC2. "Killer Whales in the UK?" showcased much of Shetland's superb summer wildlife, including some great footage from Sumburgh Head - a Minke whale feeding just off the cliffs and (set to the 1980s pop hit "Jump!") guillemots chicks leaving the cliffs. Unfortunately, the killer whales (also known as orcas) just didn't show up when Gordon was here. Written by helen moncrieff | How you can helpHelp fund our work
Our marine environment urgently needs protection. A one-off donation from you today will help our work to protect the varied and wonderful creatures of the untamed oceans. By giving a regular gift, you'll become a Sea Life Guardian and help lead the way through these tough times. Support usMy life with seabirds
Hi. I'm Mark Bolton. I spend a lot of my time wrapped up in waterproofs on remote coasts and islands for the RSPB. But what does my job have to do with the unprecedented challenges our sea life is facing, and how can you help? Latest news
The threats to our sea life
Our seas are rich in wildlife, yet many of our precious native habitats and species are under threat or in decline. Ever-increasing pressures from human activities are putting animals such as magnificent basking sharks, delicate cold water corals, exotic seahorses and the 26 species of seabird which nest along the UK's coastline at risk. Find out more about the threats our seas face. Visit our amazing coast
We've picked out our best coastal reserves that we think you'll be blown away by! Click on a star to start your journey to see some of our amazing sea life. Alternatively, make a date with seabirds at one of our projects across the UK. |
