UK: Hope for Pink Seafan as Wildlife Trust Secures Victory
The phone went the other day. Nice chap at the other end – a press contact. And he thanked me for the coverage I’d given this story in the past. Very rare in this game.
It turns out that Lyme Bay – just an hour’s drive from here has had the victory we’d all hoped for.
One of the UK’s finest marine wildlife sites is set to be protected from damaging scallop-dredging, thanks to the introduction of a 60sq mile exclusion zone.
Paul Gompertz, Devon Wildlife Trust’s director, said: “This is one small step for marine but one giant leap for marine-kind. It finally acknowledges that our seas need vital life-support systems like Lyme Bay reefs.
“It’s taken 18 years, hundreds of thousands of fundraised pounds, the energy and dedication of many people - and a host of setbacks and heartache along the way. But it has all been worth it - to see a new day dawn for the future of marine conservation in this country. The Government is to be congratulated on a bold step. Now we need to see the exclusions enforced.”
Simon Cripps, chief executive for Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “This decision represents a landmark for both wildlife protection and sustainable fishing, showing that there is potential for conservation and fishing interests to work together in the future.”
The Wildlife Trusts have been campaigning for a 60sq mile exclusion zone around Lyme Bay reefs, since concern was highlighted in the early 1990s by divers who observed damage to some areas. Survey work by Devon and Dorset Wildlife Trusts has shown that scallop-dredging is damaging the reefs and that time is running out for their preservation.
Lyme Bay is home to around 300 recorded species of plants and animals, including dense populations of the nationally protected pink seafan and the extremely rare sunset coral. As well as a haven for sponges, starfish and coral, the reefs also support a range of seafood animals, including crab, lobster and scallops.
I have said in the past that the UK, essentially two islands, should look upon our waters with the same importance as that afforded our lands.
Though of course this is good news, can you really believe that it has taken 18 years to cement the deal? I of course want to tread (water) lightly here, and not negate the positives but we really must look after our oceans.
Image Source:
Neil Phillips at Flickr under a Creative Commons License.
