The Wildlife Trust's North Sea Wildlife Project

Marine Conservation Zones hang in the balance

Don't shut your eyes - our recommended network of 127 Marine Conservation Zones is under threat right now!

We need to demonstrate the importance and urgency of the Marine Conservation Zone network to the Parliament Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon MP today, and ensure that Defra does not reduce the number of Marine Conservation Zones going forward for consultation in 2012 now.

We would be very grateful if you could write to the Minister using our suggested letter, highlighting your concerns. You can also download the letter in Word here.

 

Richard Benyon MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

I am writing to urge you to take forward all 127 Marine Conservation Zones next year.

As a supporter of The Wildlife Trusts’ Petition Fish campaign, I have been encouraged by the all-party support for the Marine Act and your personal commitment to Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) designation.

I was also encouraged to see the network of 127 MCZs proposed by stakeholders this summer. Each MCZ is vital on its own but they are even more important together to help our seas become some of the most productive and wildlife-rich on Earth.

I share the belief expressed by The Wildlife Trusts that all 127 MCZs must be designated. Reducing the number of MCZs risks losing essential protection for marine species and habitats.

You have an unprecedented opportunity to allow marine conservation to catch up with the great strides made on land. There has never been a more crucial or opportune moment to put in place the protection our seas so urgently need.