PRESS RELEASE
Marine Bill must Safeguard Welsh Seas Wales Environment Link, the environmental NGO network in Wales, is delighted by the publication of a draft Marine Bill. However the delight will be short-lived if it does not contain all of the necessary provisions for the sustainable management and protection of the marine environment.
WWF Cymru, RSPB Cymru, Wildlife Trusts Wales, the Marine Conservation Society and the National Trust Wales have collectively pooled their resources, through the umbrella body Wales Environment Link, and alongside similar networks in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland who are all working together to secure a new and effective approach to the management and conservation of UK seas.
It is vital that a comprehensive UK Marine Bill and parallel, country-specific legislation is implemented in order to make this a reality. WEL sees the publication of the Draft Marine Bill as a big step towards the UK and devolved Governments’ shared vision and strategic goals for the marine environment. Anne Meikle, Chair of WEL’s Marine Working Group said “The Marine Bill is a long overdue opportunity to bridge the gap between the protection of wildlife on land and at sea and to bring coherence to the planning of the many activities which take place within the marine environment”.
WEL is looking for the draft UK Marine Bill to deliver the following for Wales:
A network of marine protected areas for Wales' nationally important biodiversity that is ecologically representative and includes a number of Highly Protected Marine Reserves.
A marine spatial planning system to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and protection of the marine ecosystem.
Clear, transparent and accountable marine governance and regulation of activities in Welsh seas.
A new integrated marine licensing system that amends the shortcomings of current marine management practice, streamlining regulation and securing protection of the marine environment.
“WEL wants the Welsh Assembly Government and the other devolved administrations to work with the UK Government to ensure that the full UK Marine Bill comes before Parliament at the earliest opportunity, as our seas can no longer afford further delay. The Marine Campaign is something that
Wales Environment Link unites voluntary bodies whose primary aims include the conservation, protection or quiet enjoyment of landscape, wildlife or amenity in Wales Mae Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru yn uno cyrff gwirfoddol sydd â’u hamcanion pennaf yn cynnwys cadwraeth, gwarchodaeth neu fwynhad tawel o dirlun, bywyd gwyllt ac amwynder yng Nghymru
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WEL’s members have collectively been campaigning for, for many years. We want the Marine Bill to be in this year’s Queen’s speech so that a full bill is published as soon as possible”.
The Marine Bill must not be seen in isolation, WEL is calling for a comprehensive and consistent approach to be taken with regard to all legislation impacting on the marine environment. The Marine Bill must sit alongside and complement other crucial bills that are currently passing through Parliament. The fact that, after years of delay, a draft Marine Bill is only now being delivered should not be a cause for neglecting the marine impacts of other bills.
Wales Environment Link will be taking this message to members of the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Assembly for Wales, civil servants, and Welsh MPs at Westminster, to ensure that the full UK Marine Bill provides the best solutions for Wales’ marine environment and those who enjoy and depend upon it. The Marine Campaign is overseen by WEL’s Marine Working Group. For more information visit: www.waleslink.org
For further information please contact: Tim Hall, Marine Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, Wildlife Trusts Wales and member of WEL’s Marine Working Group Tel:
02920 480070 or 01656 724100
Email:
[email protected]
Editors Notes: 1. Wales Environment Link (WEL) is a network of environmental and countryside non-governmental organisations in Wales, most of whom have an all-Wales remit. WEL is the official intermediary body between the government and the environmental NGO sector in Wales, it has thirty member organisations, who in turn represent 217,000 subscribing members in Wales. The Marine Campaign is overseen by WEL’s Marine Working Group. For more information visit: www.waleslink.org
2. Wales Environment Link is working with Wildlife and Countryside Link (in England), Scottish Environment Link and the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force to campaign for comprehensive legislation for all UK seas. WEL is calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to work with Westminster to deliver a robust UK Marine Bill, and to introduce parallel devolved measures at the earliest opportunity. 3. WEL’s campaign is calling for marine legislation to deliver:
New management tools to properly protect Welsh species and habitats, including the creation of Highly Protected Marine Reserves and powers to protect mobile species in the wider sea.
Wales Environment Link unites voluntary bodies whose primary aims include the conservation, protection or quiet enjoyment of landscape, wildlife or amenity in Wales Mae Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru yn uno cyrff gwirfoddol sydd â’u hamcanion pennaf yn cynnwys cadwraeth, gwarchodaeth neu fwynhad tawel o dirlun, bywyd gwyllt ac amwynder yng Nghymru
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A marine planning system that considers all marine activities together, while ensuring protection of the environment. This should integrate with other plans and should follow boundaries that make ecological sense.
Clear, transparent and accountable regulation of activities in Welsh seas that ensures all interested parties are involved in the process.
4. A number of WEL member organisations are campaigning for a UK Marine Act. For more information, please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/safeguardoursealife www.wwf.org.uk/marineact www.wildlifetrusts.org www.mcsuk.org/marineworld/marine_bill_petition
Wales Environment Link unites voluntary bodies whose primary aims include the conservation, protection or quiet enjoyment of landscape, wildlife or amenity in Wales Mae Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru yn uno cyrff gwirfoddol sydd â’u hamcanion pennaf yn cynnwys cadwraeth, gwarchodaeth neu fwynhad tawel o dirlun, bywyd gwyllt ac amwynder yng Nghymru
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Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig: 1022675
