Scubaism

Conservationists are urging new Prime Minister Gordon Brown to ensure protection for UK marine wildlife is included in the first Queen’s Speech of his premiership. Research published by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has revealed UK seas support 18 species of fish, mammal, bird or reptile that are considered at risk of global extinction.

This compares to three species on land in the UK at risk of worldwide extinction. Marine species RSPB listed as threatened included the basking shark, harbour porpoise, sei whale, skate and a number of seabirds.

‘We trust that Gordon Brown will honour his party’s manifesto commitment to provide a Marine Bill before the next election,’ said RSPB conservation director, Dr Mark Avery. ‘In future, increasing demands will be placed upon fragile marine environments, so we want to see a robust marine planning system to ensure that nature is protected alongside increasing commercial interests.

‘The UK government has a very poor track record on designating marine wildlife sites. His [Brown] commitment to marine protection will be an early test of his environmental credentials.’

RSPB is urging everyone to write to Gordon Brown’s office to ask for his support.