Scubaism

Britain’s new Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been blasted by conservationists for failing to include any mention of the Marine Bill in his list of legislation for the year ahead. The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) claimed by ‘ignoring’ the Marine Bill in his speech last week, the Prime Minister had given the strongest indication yet that the Government had turned its back on protecting UK’s seas for another year.

‘The health of the UK marine environment is in severe decline and by turning his back on our seas, the new Prime Minister has fallen at the first hurdle in proving his green credentials,’ said Sally Bailey, deputy head of WWF’s Marine Programme. ‘Our marine environment does not stand a chance unless proper legislation is put in place.’

Former fisheries minister Ben Bradshaw had reassured conservationists that the Marine Bill would be introduced by the next election. However, groups such as WWF and UK charity The Wildlife Trusts believe time is running out.

‘Less than 0.001 per cent of the UK’s seas is protected by law from harmful activities,’ said Joan Edwards, head of marine policy at The Wildlife Trusts. ‘If only 0.001 per cent of the UK’s land was all that was protected, this would amount to a single wildlife reserve the size of Kensington Gardens. Such neglect would be unacceptable on land, and it’s equally inexcusable at sea. We will continue to campaign for the Marine Bill to be included in the next Queen’s Speech.’