Wildlife and Countryside Link's vision is for healthy, well-managed seas, where wildlife is flourishing and ecosystems are protected, connected and thriving.
The waters around the UK were once some of the most productive on earth, but increasing pressures and exploitation, combined with poor protection have had dire consequences for our seas and the marine wildlife they support.
One of 2009’s greatest milestones was the passing of the Marine and Coastal Access Act to realise the Government’s vision of “clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas”.
Sadly though, there is a long way to go to achieve this vision. Over the centuries the oceans have been taken for granted and regarded as a limitless resource. Fragile habitats have been destroyed, once-common species are now on the brink of extinction, fish stocks have collapsed and marine resources have been steadily depleted. The ocean processes that are as important as the rainforests in mitigating global climate change are also threatened.
Since the introduction of the Marine Act in 2009, we have been campaigning for the full implementation of the legislation to restore and protect our seas and the rich marine wildlife they support. This is a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to manage our seas sustainably, to protect marine ecosystems and allow them to recover and thrive again.
Integrated marine planning, truly sustainable fishing practices, and well designed and effectively managed networks of marine protected areas are all needed now to safeguard our seas and reverse the damage before it’s too late.