Safeguard our Sealife: Give us a Bill

1.42.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Jul 2007

Ensuring proper protection for marine wildlife is one of the most pressing environmental priorities for the next Parliamentary session, says Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, who has supported the RSPB's call for a Marine Bill to be included within the next Queen's Speech.

Annette Brooke MP said: "Currently, the protection of sites and species on land is not mirrored in the marine environment, leaving species and habitats vulnerable to many threats. This omission is of great concern to conservation groups, like the RSPB, which are calling for new legislation to protect the UK's seas and their wildlife."

On the day of Gordon Brown's Prime Minister's Questions, Annette Brooke MP attended a Westminster event hosted by the RSPB, which brought its campaign for a Bill to London. MPs were asked to pledge their support by signing a new cross-party Early Day Motion (1833). Gordon Brown also set out his draft Legislative Programme, put out for consultation today, in which there was an uncertain commitment to introducing a draft marine bill in his legislative programme.

To help the campaign, the RSPB brought a giant, inflatable two-metre replica of a puffin - one of the UK's most charismatic seabirds - to Parliament Square. The detachable beak highlighted the need for a (Marine) Bill for seabirds.

Danny Stone, senior parliamentary officer for the RSPB, said: "We have been greatly encouraged by the support we have already received from MPs across all parties who believe that greater marine protection is a huge environmental priority."

The RSPB is campaigning as part of Wildlife and Countryside Link to secure a Marine Bill. Danny Stone added: "The RSPB, with support from Parliamentary champions, is urging Gordon Brown to ensure the first Queen's Speech of his premiership includes a Marine Bill."

The RSPB is campaigning for a Marine Bill that includes: a new system for planning at sea; improved licensing of activities at sea; sustainable in-shore fishing management; and designated marine conservation zones.

The UK's coastline is home to 18 exclusively coastal species of seabird, including puffin, gannet, kittiwake and guillemot. The great skua, Manx shearwater, gannet and shag have their most important populations in the world in the UK.

ENDS