What’s new?
The Wildlife Trusts’ welcome a Marine and Coastal Access Act
It’s almost ten years since The Wildlife Trusts first pointed out that the seas around the UK, containing half our wildlife, were in dire trouble.
Whether you live inland or by the sea the coastal and marine environment somehow influences your way of life, whether you aware of it or not. Our seas since the beginning of time have supported human life, they provide for us in so many ways and without them we would not have become what we are today.
Now, as a result of our combined effort (staff, members and volunteers) we have secured a Marine and Coastal Access Act.
The Bill, which spent an incredible six months in the House of Lords - the second longest Bill in history, has received royal ascent and has become an Act
We now have in place the necessary legislation to allow the creation of network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
This network will be implemented through four regional Marine Conservation Zone projects – the North Sea project is called Net Gain.
The job of The Wildlife Trusts in the East is to ensure the MPA network is established with wildlife at the heart, protecting not only the rare and threatened but a range of marine species and habitats.
Through input into the Net Gain project we will provide information and data supporting the establishment of Marine Conservation Zones.
We are fortunate in the East of England with the coastline we share. The Norfolk coast is an important area for many marine species. Both common and grey seals can be found and both breed in important numbers. While Great Yarmouth supports one of the most important little tern sites in Europe.
Further down the coast, Suffolk incorporates both an Area of outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coast status. There’s over 60 miles of low-lying coast comprising of crumbling cliffs, shingle beaches and coastal lagoons, all rich in wildlife.
We are asking people to get involved to help us to achieve our vision of Living Seas where our needs are balanced alongside the needs of wildlife.
For more information on Living Seas and Net Gain visit www.northseawildlife.org.uk