SAFEGUARD OUR SEALIFE: GIVE US A BILL SAYS HUHNE

1.59.19pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 13th Jul 2007

Proper protection for marine wildlife is one of the top environmental priorities for the next Parliamentary session, says Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne.

Mr Huhne has supported the call of a broad coalition of organisations including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Hamble-based Royal Yachting Association, Hampshire Wildlife Trust and the Solent Protection Association for a Marine Bill to be included within the next Queen's Speech.

It is a terrible shame that the Government is not being more robust about this bill

Chris Huhne said: "Some rare species and unique habitats exist in the Solent and around the Isle of Wight. Seagrass beds provide nurseries for young fish and shelter for many animals including sea horses and they need protection. For such a busy stretch of water it is vital that all the different uses are properly co-ordinated to minimize their environmental impacts. We urgently need this bill so we can manage our seas better to safeguard them for future generations

He added: "Places and species are protected on land, but not at sea. Habitats are vulnerable to many threats. This omission is of great concern to conservation groups which are calling for new legislation to protect the UK's seas and their wildlife. A bill would also ensure one organisation would look after the conflicting claims on the sea, instead of the confusion at present"

Chris Huhne attended a Westminster event hosted by the RSPB, which brought its campaign for a Bill to London, and signed a new cross-party Early Day Motion (1833). Gordon Brown also set out his draft Legislative Programme, put out for consultation today, in which he said he would consider introducing a draft marine bill in his legislative programme.

"It is a terrible shame that the Government is not being more robust about this bill, which is widely welcomed by groups with maritime and marine interests along Britain's coasts like the Royal Yachting Association and the Solent Protection Association" said Mr Huhne.

"There have been some bad instances of damage to fish habitats and coral such as the impact of scallop dredging in Lyme Bay. Anyone who cares about our beautiful south coast and its marine environment should support this bill".

To help the campaign, the RSPB brought a giant, inflatable two-metre replica of a puffin - one of the UK's most charismatic seabirds - to Parliament Square. The detachable beak highlighted the need for a (Marine) Bill for seabirds.

Chris Huhne is pictured here with the giant puffin in Parliament Square together with RSPB campaigners Kim Barratt, Mairi Dupar (Public Relations) and Danny Stone (Government Affairs).

Danny Stone, senior parliamentary officer for the RSPB, said: "We have been greatly encouraged by the support we have already received from Chris Huhne and other MPs across all parties who believe that greater marine protection is a huge environmental priority."

The RSPB is campaigning as part of Wildlife and Countryside Link to secure a Marine Bill. Danny Stone added: "The RSPB, with support from Parliamentary champions, is urging Gordon Brown to ensure the first Queen's Speech of his premiership includes a Marine Bill."

The RSPB is campaigning for a Marine Bill that includes: a new system for planning at sea; improved licensing of activities at sea; sustainable in-shore fishing management; and designated marine conservation zones. The UK's coastline is home to 18 exclusively coastal species of seabird, including puffin, gannet, kittiwake and guillemot. The great skua, Manx shearwater, gannet and shag have their most important populations in the world in the UK.