Kate Reeves, WWF marine policy officer said, ‘Our seas are becoming busier than ever before due to an increase in human activities threatening the marine environment, from fishing and shipping to dredging and wind farms.  By being better managed, these pressures would be alleviated if the UK government introduces a long awaited, robust Marine Act with a new integrated marine planning system. ‘Our report highlighting areas of enormous natural importance will help in the development of this legislation which must include a national network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to preserve the richness and diversity of our seas and to restore sites wherever possible. Some areas, such as hotspots, will also need to be Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMRs).’

The five ‘Hotspots’ identified in the report are Plymouth Sound in South Devon, The Blackwater Estuary in Essex, The Dogger Bank in the Southern North Sea, Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland and The Menai Straight in Wales. Some of the nationally important features identified in these locations include the rare fan mussels, cold water corals, the grey seal, fireworks anemone, saltmarshes, branching sponges and killer whales. The WWF says the UK government must ensure there is adequate protection in the Marine Bill, and investment in resources to protect British seas for future generations, not only for the intrinsic value of the marine wildlife, but for the goods, services and livelihoods that this wildlife provides.

MJ Information No 22735