Britain’s marine environment – described by conservationists as “our life support system” – is on its knees, in desperate need of some “tender loving care”, according to a new report.

Conservation experts from around the UK have compiled a list of 15 marine areas urgently in need of protection, each considered vital for the preservation of at least one species of marine animal or plant.

Marine Reserves – TLC for our seas and sea life, a report by the Wildlife Trusts, says immediate action is needed to allow our seas to recover from centuries of overexploitation, for everything from food to oil and building materials.

The report calls on the government to create legally protected marine reserves, where fishing and other damaging activities such as dredging and construction are outlawed, in Britain’s seas to safeguard some of the 44,000 species endemic to our waters – from tiny corals to giant basking sharks.

Time, the report says, is now running out for ministers to meet their commitment to provide an adequate network of conservation areas by 2010 – and it warns that failing to do so could cause irreversible damage to the UK’s biodiversity.

“In 2005, after years of lobbying by The Wildlife Trusts, the UK government finally promised a Marine Bill to provide better protection for our seas and sea life. We’re still waiting for it,” said a Wildlife Trusts spokesman. “We mustn’t let the Marine Bill drift away. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to save our seas.”

Earlier this year, the government published a White Paper on its plans to protect Britain’s marine life, but has yet to include it in a timetable for legislation. Conservationists are now concerned the Marine Bill will fail to get a mention in the Queen’s speech, delaying legislative action for another year.

Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, said: “We cannot delay the Marine Bill any longer. Our marine life is at stake. The Marine Bill must be included in the Queen’s Speech and it must deliver marine reserves.”

Less than 0.001% of our seas are legally protected from commercial exploitation, according to the Marine Reserves report, which was launched at the House of Commons on October 10. Sir David Attenborough, prolific naturalist and vice-president of the Wildlife Trusts, said: “As an island nation, I find it astonishing that we have protected less than a thousandth of one per cent of our seas from fishing and all damaging activities.”

A degree of protection from human activities has already been extended to certain coastal areas in the form of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), of which there are currently more than 100 in British waters, but many scientists and conservationists argue these are insufficient.

The proposed marine reserves would take restrictions significantly further, placing legally enforced bans on all fishing, dredging and construction in a bid to enable underwater ecosystems and wildlife to recover.

A similar exercise at Lundy Island off Cornwall’s north coast, site of a no-take zone where all fishing is banned, has already proven such schemes can dramatically boost species numbers.
“Without Marine Reserves, we will continue on our downward spiral,” said the report. “With them, we can start to rebuild our living seas.”

A petition in support of the Marine Bill, signed by tens of thousands of people, including more than 100 MPs, is due to be delivered to Downing Street by the Wildlife Trusts on October 17.

By Laura Snook, MSN UK News Editor

October 10, 2007