act today

marine bill campaign

We need you to help make the “Marine Bill” much stronger for marine conservation.

PLEASE SIGN the e-letter to Defra below by 26th June 2008

why we need your help
The draft Marine Bill was published in April following years of campaigning by MCS and supporters such as yourself. The bill could be ground breaking but in its present draft it has too many flaws and loopholes to deliver on its promises for marine conservation. We therefore need your help to persuade Defra that it should be strengthened when published in full later this year. Click here to see governments marine bill

about the marine bill:
A Marine Act is urgently needed to introduce new laws to better protect our marine wildlife and habitats and ensure the sustainable management of our seas and resources. The draft marine bill covers marine conservation, marine planning and inshore fisheries.

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Copy of the actual e-letter being sent:

Marine Bill Team
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

Dear Marine Bill Team
I want the marine bill to be a ground-breaking bill, but in its present draft it has too many flaws and loopholes to deliver on its promises.

I am concerned that the measures proposed are not strong enough to actually deliver a network of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ's). These need to be toughened up. I want to see a 'duty' to designate such a network and timescales on when it will be delivered.

I believe sites should be selected purely based on scientific criteria, not socio-economic considerations. I think the objectives for MCZ's must include highly protected marine reserves. I think the sub-clause should be removed that would allow industry or government to damage a MCZ if it is "impossible or impracticable" not to.

To effectively manage all UK waters, I urge all the devolved administrations to sign up to the UK Marine Policy Statement. I believe the Marine Management Organisation should be the consents body for all marine activities.

I think the new inshore fisheries body needs to have a clear purpose and more conservation-orientated membership to ensure that sustainable fisheries are actually delivered.

Yours sincerely

the marine bill

marine bill - an introduction

marine bill documents

petitions delivered to no. 10

mps call for marine act now!

marine reserves campaign