Page 12 - Wildlife News Dec 2017

National news

Trusts launch vision

for Living Seas
Report says the Government has a unique chance to lead the
world in marine conservation The report shows how all sea
users can get along.

A new report by The Wildlife Trusts extraction – in a way that balances the “We believe that a healthy, wildlife-rich
outlines how a radical approach to needs of wildlife and people. This does not marine environment is valuable in its own
marine planning could bring our happen at the moment. right and fundamentally important for
seas back to their former abundance. Joan Edwards, Director of Living Seas human health, wellbeing and prosperity,”
The Way Back to Living Seas at The Wildlife Trusts, gave a copy of the she said afterwards.
demonstrates that a joined-up network of report to Environment Secretary Michael “If the Government takes the lead on
Marine Protected Areas will safeguard Gove when she met him in October. this, within the next 25 years our seas will
marine wildlife and help the livelihoods of be more sustainable and well on their way
the many people who depend on the sea. A healthy to recovering their historic levels. This will
It suggests dividing coastal waters into five sea is vital benefit the wildlife that inhabits our seas
regional seas and then managing for future and the prosperity and well-being of local
everything that happens in them – from generations communities and the UK that depends on
recreation to fisheries to aggregate them.”

Our key ask The Government should put ‘Regional Sea’ marine
planning and an ecologically-coherent network of
protected areas at the heart of its plan

Involves Restores nature Tracks progress
people
Recognises the Establishes ‘Good
Inspires and value of nature Environmental
connects people to our economy Status’ in all seas
with the sea and commits to
restoring it Stays sustainable
Minimises
harm ‘Regional Sea’ Sets limits for all
marine activities at sea,
Ends pollution, including fishing,
destructive fishing planning underwater noise,
and unsustainable offshore wind and
marine development Plans long-term extraction

Looks at the whole 2117
ecosystem and the
life it supports when
planning for the future

12 Wildlife news / December 2017