The marine environment is an extraordinary place, providing habitat for more than 44,000 animal and plant species, including the many whales, dolphins and porpoises which we know are either resident here, or passing visitors throughout the year. Despite this wealth of biodiversity the seas are poorly protected, when you compare them to terrestrial habitats.

We are becoming increasingly aware of the fragility of the marine ecosystem as climate change and both inshore and offshore activities proliferate, placing an overwhelming burden on the sea and its inhabitants.

Marine Connection have been campaigning for better protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises and their associated environment and we embrace the opportunities presented to us in the Marine Bill and particularly welcome the publication of the draft Marine Bill published in April this year. The commitment to a Marine Bill was a ground breaking event, representing more than five years of work by environmental and conservation groups alike (Wildlife and Countryside Link).

The Marine Bill is a long overdue opportunity to bridge the gap between the protection of wildlife on land and at sea, and to bring greater coherence to the planning of the many activities which take place in the marine environment. In order to deliver proper protection of marine biodiversity and sustainable management of all UK seas, it is imperative that the UK Marine Bill and complementary devolved marine legislation provide comprehensive and coherent coverage.

This draft Bill proposes an ambitious new approach to managing the marine environment which, if improved and implemented effectively, could result in the UK Government being seen as a world class leader in the sustainable management of its marine resources. While we are broadly supportive of the proposals outlined in the draft Bill, we believe that it needs to be made stronger to ensure that the final Marine Bill is fit for purpose to deliver its aims and objectives.

We were pleased at the inclusion of the Marine Bill in the Draft Legislative Programme and now call on the Government to ensure that the Bill is included in this year’s Queen’s Speech and introduced into Parliament at the earliest opportunity in the next (2008-2009) Session, in order to secure delivery of the manifesto commitment to a Marine Act during this Parliament. The UK’s seas urgently need better protection and management.