Posted on 12
November 2009 - Godalming, UK – The UK Government
has today introduced new legislation that
will make the region’s neglected seas much
healthier, reversing years of overfishing
and habitat loss.
The UK Marine and Coastal
Access Act requires the UK government, for
the first time, to conserve and protect
marine species and habitats. The law’s passage
is a result of more than a decade of campaigning
by WWF-UK.
The UK as an island
nation has a remarkable 20,000 kms of coastline.
Nationally important species and habitats
can be found under the waves which have,
until now, been left exposed to a multitude
of pressures, including fishing, aggregate
extraction, oil and gas exploitation, and
emerging threats such as the impacts of
climate change.
Research into UK seas
shows that key species and habitats, such
as Atlantic salmon, harbour porpoises, deep-water
coral reefs, and seagrass beds are under
threat. Of the 16 flagship species and habitats
monitored by WWF in 2005, 13 were found
to be in decline and a new investigation
this year concluded that none were at healthy
levels.
“This is a pivotal moment
for UK conservation efforts and shows what
can be achieved through tireless campaigning
efforts,” said David Norman, Director of
Campaigns at WWF-UK. “This long-awaited
piece of legislation has the potential to
really make a difference to thousands of
species, including not just dolphins and
sharks, but seahorses, turtles, commercially
important fish stocks, and lesser-known
species like pink sea fans and sunset cup
corals.”
“The Marine and Coastal
Access Act will bring together the many
rules and regulations that currently govern
our seas to ensure our seas are used sustainably,
and this legislation will provide long-term
benefits to many people who rely on healthy,
well-managed seas – from fishermen to tourist
operators.”
WWF began campaigning
for a Marine Act at the start of the decade,
realising that a single, comprehensive piece
of legislation was vitally needed to govern
UK waters.
The UK Marine and Coastal
Access Act now puts a clear and unambiguous
duty on the Government to designate a network
of protected areas to conserve and improve
the marine environment. A new Marine Management
Organisation will manage and champion the
UK's seas, and following WWF lobbying, a
Chief Scientific Advisor will be appointed
to provide a stronger scientific steer for
its decision-making
WWF is pleased that
the Government will now seek to ensure that
new marine plans cover the whole of UK waters
so that the multitude of activities at sea
are planned strategically.
“We now have the tools
to protect our marine species and habitats
but we cannot rest on our laurels,” Norman
said. “We must ensure that political momentum
is not lost and both current and future
Government’s are held to account on delivering
the intentions behind this Act. With the
right implementation the UK Marine and Coastal
Access Act could become a leading piece
of legislation that other countries across
Europe can follow.”
+ More
Countries facing fiercest
climate impacts call on conscience of the
wealthy world
Posted on 10 November
2009 - Leaders of countries vulnerable to
climate change have called for a redoubling
of efforts to reach an ambitious outcome
of the Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December
and for world leaders to come to Copenhagen
themselves.
The vulnerable countries
are asking for immediate climate action
in all countries and are committing themselves
to green their economies as a contribution
towards carbon neutrality.
The Climate Vulnerable
Forum (CVF) in the Maldives brought together
delegates from Kiribati, Bangladesh, Nepal,
Vietnam, Kenya and other countries. They
asked rich states to acknowledge their responsibility
for climate change and provide at least
1.5 percent of their GDP annually by 2015
to assist developing countries in their
transition to a low-carbon economy.
In a joint declaration
after their meeting today, the forum expressed
concern about downgrading of expectations
for a positive outcome at the climate conference
in Copenhagen.
“WWF shares the concerns
expressed by these countries,” said Kim
Carstensen, the head of WWF Global Climate
Initiative. “Vulnerable developing countries
have everything to lose from climate change,
they are fighting for their future existence,
and it is therefore very good to see them
come out with a strong common voice.”
“We sincerely hope that
their message will be heard by those countries
that are actually responsible for climate
change and who have the means to solve the
climate crisis.”
“The world’s expectations
for a climate treaty in Copenhagen are rising
and leaders around the world need to understand
that failure will come at a huge price.”
According to WWF, an
ambitious climate treaty can still be achieved
in Copenhagen despite most policy makers’
focus on what they cannot achieve rather
than what they can do to prevent the worst
consequences of climate change.
Governments at Copenhagen
need to create a legally binding framework
with an amended Kyoto Protocol and a new
Copenhagen Protocol, which secures the survival
of countries, cultures and ecosystems. They
should also create a framework for immediate
adaptation action, especially for vulnerable
countries and ecosystems, including the
provision of insurance and compensation.
“In Copenhagen, we need
to listen to the voices of those who suffer
from the consequences of global warming.
That should already bring us on the right
track,” Carstensen said.
