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Safeguard our sea life |
Marine Campaign update
We established our Safeguard our sea life campaign in 2004 with the aim of securing comprehensive protection for the marine environment. In 2005, we delivered over 150,000 pledges seeking new legislation to the Prime Minister, and in the same year held a mass lobby of Parliament resulting in a general election manifesto commitment to the introduction of a marine bill. Despite this commitment, the UK Government failed to introduce a Bill. Over the summer of 2007, we campaigned hard and demonstrated significant public support for new laws to protect the marine environment to be introduced at the earliest opportunity. A petition containing over 300,000 signatures, of which nearly 124,000 were gathered by the RSPB, was delivered to the Prime Minister in October 2007. Thanks to energetic campaigning by RSPB members and supporters, we have achieved some notable successes However, deep disappointment followed the announcement of November's Queen's Speech and the news that a draft UK Marine Bill rather than a full Bill was timetabled for the next parliamentary legislative session. Although a draft Bill is a step in the right direction, it adds a further phase of consultation which further delays the introduction of a full Bill. We will continue to campaign for a full Bill and hence an Act to ensure that seabirds and other marine wildlife get the protection they urgently need. Protecting all of the seas around the UK requires the devolved administrations to be on board with the UK Marine Bill and in some cases produce their own equivalent or parallel legislation. For example, Scotland requires legislation from both Westminster and the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood if the inshore waters around Scotland are to be protected. The new Scottish government has promised a Scottish Marine Bill but has yet to bring forward proposals or draft legislation. In Scotland, we therefore need to keep up the pressure on the First Minister, Alex Salmond, to introduce a Scottish Marine Bill as soon as possible that will work in conjunction with UK legislation. Thanks to energetic and vociferous campaigning by RSPB members and supporters, we have achieved some notable political successes. Our goal is to ensure that a UK Marine Bill finally does become reality. Last modified: 12 March 2008 |
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 |
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)