The future of the UK's globally-important marine wildlife looks brighter with the introduction of a Marine and Coastal Access Bill in today’s Queen's Speech.
The RSPB has welcomed the Government’s commitment to bring this legislation before Parliament.
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB Conservation Director, said: "For too long the marine environment has been the Cinderella of wildlife protection.
'The UK's seas are internationally important for marine wildlife, including seabirds, whales, fish and corals.
Commitment
'Despite this importance, the conservation movement has been waiting for decades for adequate protection. This has been a manifesto commitment for several years, and we trust that the legislation will not be watered down before it reaches Royal Assent.'
The UK hosts internationally important populations of several species of seabird, including at least two thirds of the world's Manx shearwaters, six out of ten of the world's great skuas and gannets. Within the European Union, ten species of exclusively coastal seabird also have their most important breeding populations around our shores: fulmar; Leach’s storm-petrel; shag; Arctic skua; great black-backed gull; kittiwake; puffin; razorbill; guillemot and black guillemot.
Kate Tanner, an RSPB marine policy officer, said: 'We have enjoyed the riches of the UK’s seas for many years, but marine wildlife has paid the ever-increasing price for this exploitation.
'Our wildlife-rich seas are threatened by increasing pressures from human activities, such as overfishing, dredging, and offshore development, coupled with the pervasive threat of climate change.
'In future, we will look to harness our marine resources for energy-generation, recreation and further development. We trust this new legislation will protect the natural wealth of our marine environment while providing a framework for the sustainable use of our seas.'