The worrying news that the oceans are losing their biodiversity at an accelerating rate is prompting urgent action. In UK waters there are 22 species of wildlife considered to be facing the threat of global extinction. Once common species such as Atlantic Cod and Halibut are on lists of threatened or endangered species and only eight of the 47 fish stocks found around the British Isles remain in a healthy state. Marine habitats and fish stocks continue to be damaged by destructive fishing techniques.

If the marine environment is to recover from decades of overfishing and habitat destruction, scientists recommend that 30% of our seas should be fully protected. On 3 December 2008 a Marine Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech.Although the bill is welcome and essential, it needs to bestrengthened. Please contact your MP to call for a strong Marine Billand ask for 30% of UK waters to be designated as highly protectedmarine reserves.

You can help by joining this campaign headed by the Marine Conservation Society and The Co-operative. Using the link at the bottom of this article you can lobby your MP and support the measures announced in the 2008 Marine Bill and asked for them to be effective enough to reverse the damage caused by current fishing techniques. If you want to support the campaign or find out more about it please click on the link below.

www.marinereservesnow.org.uk