Latest news
Welcome call for action to protect marine wildlife
On 11th April 2013, a report encouraging the Government to set a clear timetable for protection of the marine environment was warmly welcomed by The Wildlife Trusts. The Commons Science and Technology Select Committee recently published the results of its inquiry into marine science. This influential group of MPs warns that the Government’s failure to push forward with the designation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) is creating uncertainty for sea users and risks putting important habitats at risk. Read the full story…
Thousands of Cumbrians show their support for Marine Conservation Zones
Staff and volunteers Cumbria Wildlife Trust have been overwhelmed by a huge response from its members to the public consultation on Marine Conservation Zones. 1,579 members have told Cumbria Wildlife Trust they want all 19 proposed Marine Conservation Zones for the Irish Sea to be designated, not just the 4 that have been put forward by the Government in 2013. Only one of these proposed Marine Conservation Zones is off the coast of Cumbria and there is no timetable for designating the rest of the sites. The responses have been forwarded to Defra which is handling the consultation on behalf of the Government. The consultation closed on 31 March 2013.
Save Your Irish Sea!
In December, Defra announced the opening of the long-awaited public consultation on the recommended network of 127 MCZs. The Government proposed to designate 31 out of 127 Marine Conservation Zones and just four of these are in the Irish Sea. The public consultation, which was open until 31 March 2013, allowed us to have our say about our seas. Watch the North West Living Seas' video below to see some of the amazing marine life that we are trying to protect. Although the consultation is now closed while the Government review the responses, you will have another chance to have your say in September when results of the first consultation will be released and a second consultation on the next tranche of sites will be announced…. watch this space! Our thanks go out to local Cumbrian music group, The Wierdstring Band, for the brilliant Flat Fish song accompanying the video.
Petition Fish Finale
Petition Fish, the Wildlife Trust’s collection of almost 250,000 signatures in support of the MCZ network was presented to Richard Benyon, the Natural Environment Minister at Parliament on 22nd January 2013 to let him know just how much our seas mean to us and ensure that all 31 MCZs government have selected receive designation this year. Take a look at the pictures here!
