Save Our Marine Conservation Zones

The Wildlife Trust are running a national campaign to get better protection for our seas.  Sheffield may be plonked in the middle but take a look at http://www.northseawildlife.org.uk/from-inland-to-open-water/ to see how the seas are just as important to us too. 

Want to act?....see below how you can help

Act today - 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 email or write to the Minister using our suggested letter, highlighting your concerns. You can also sign our petition fish campaign and join our Save our Seas online community. keep up to date by visiting http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/bernardthegurnard

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