New vision for Norfolk seas

Chris BishopBritain's wildlife trusts are today set to launch their vision for the seas around our coastline.Their Living Seas Vision will be launched in the House of Commons by BBC television presenter Aubrey Manning.Chris Bishop

Britain's wildlife trusts are today set to launch their vision for the seas around our coastline.

Their Living Seas Vision will be launched in the House of Commons by BBC television presenter Aubrey Manning.

Prof Manning is president of The Wildlife Trusts, which campaigned in favour of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.

They claimed urgent action was needed to turn the UK's over-fished, over-exploited, and currently under-protected waters back into a thriving marine environment.

Prof Manning said: 'The Living Seas vision is very direct in its aims. It sets out a clear plan of how we, The Wildlife Trusts, and our partners and supporters, can help achieve them.

'The opportunities that the Marine and Coastal Access Act has opened up need to be seized on immediately. We can no longer continue to treat the oceans as limitless.

'In particular, we need an effective and well-managed network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012.'

Brendan Joyce, director of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: 'The North Sea was once teeming with marine life. But species that were formerly common, such as blue fin tuna and common skate, are now rarities.

'Over the years the North Sea has been subjected to increasingly unsustainable pressures and as a result its wildlife and vital habitats have suffered. We may not get another opportunity to make Living Seas a reality.'