The independently written report highlights the many demands in the seas such as coastal development, fishing, aquaculture, oil and gas exploitation and the toll they take on the marine species and habitats studied.

Five years ago WWF's first Marine Health Check warned of the potential threats to marine wildlife, such as sand and gravel extraction of pristine areas of the seabed. 'The new report shows that these threats have now manifested themselves, adding to longer-term threats such as pollution and invasion by non-native species, ' claimed the WWF.

Jan Brown, WWF Senior Marine Policy Officer, said:

'This report clearly shows that five years on the plight of the UK's seas has worsened. Our marine heritage is in a shameful state for a maritime nation.

To most people, our marine environment is out of sight and out of mind, so its demise is hidden. However it is not just wildlife that's suffering from poor management of our seas, some coastal towns and villages in many parts of the UK that once thrived on the riches of the seas are now degenerated.'

The WWF said a lack of strategic planning has led to conflicting marine activities and overexploitation in certain areas of our seas and said a long-term approach was required that integrates development plans with conservation requirements.

WWF said the UK's marine legislation has been 'developed on a sector by sector basis' which has resulted in 'disjointed management and inappropriate planning of the marine environment.'

Marine Health Check 2005 was written by the Marine Life Information Network at the Marine Biological Association of the UK.