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Threats to UK's seas |
The threats to our sea life
We do more to the oceans than ever before. We scour the seabed, build in the sea, dump our waste in it, and harvest its riches, often with little thought for the future. Our seas are rich in wildlife, yet many of our precious native habitats and species are under threat, or in decline, because of these activities. These ever-increasing pressures are putting animals such as magnificent basking sharks, delicate cold water corals, exotic seahorses and the 26 species of seabird, which nest along our coastline, at risk. In short, we are pushing our seas to their limits. Urgent protection neededThe long-term effects of our actions are currently poorly considered, and we are in danger of losing unique marine habitats and species before we understand, or even discover, them. Confusion reigns, and marine nature conservation is the loser. However, there is still time to do something to help, and there is hope on the horizon. In 2009, we got a UK Marine and Coastal Access Act that gives us a chance to put things right. This new law means the UK and Welsh Assembly Governments have gained exciting new powers to protect marine wildlife and manage our seas effectively. This will allow us to better plan, mange and co-ordinate how activities use the sea, as well as ensure space for sealife. This system must be set up as soon as possible, particularly as marine development speeds up. A network of protected sitesWithout clean, healthy seas providing a rich and diverse food supply, our seabirds will suffer, despite our best efforts to secure them a safe future on land. Therefore, ensuring the continued conservation of seabirds requires protection on land supported by protection at sea: the protection of nesting colonies alone is not enough to guarantee our seabirds a thriving future. A key feature of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act is the power for Governments to create a network of Marine Conservation Zones, and we will be working hard to ensure that these Zones protect our seabirds. The problem is complex – but that shouldn't deter us. And now that we have the legislation in place, the focus must be on using it to improve the situation for marine wildlife. Similar legislation received Royal Assent in March 2010 for Scottish coastal waters, and is due in the near future for Northern Ireland's coastal water. Last modified: 10 March 2010 |
3 ways to donateYou can donate by secure online form, by telephone or by post. 1. Securely onlineDonating online is easy and ensures that more of your money is used for conservation.
2. By telephoneOur Membership Services team can also take donations over the phone. 01767 693680 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday 3. By postWe can accept donations by cheque too. Please make cheques payable to The RSPB and send them to: Safeguard our sea life Back to basicsDownloads
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Kittiwake on nest, Isle of May National Nature reserve - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Bottlenose dolphin - Steve Round
Puffin with sandeels in beak - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1616021-00291-002)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)