Befriend our Marine Wildlife
Friday 20th July 2012
© NWT
Help save our seas during The Wildlife Trusts’ National Marine Week!
To mark the start of National Marine Week 2012, taking place from Saturday 28 July to Sunday 12 August, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is recruiting ‘Friends of Marine Conservation Zones’.
The UK’s seas host some of our most fascinating wildlife - and some of the most diverse animals and plants in Europe - but they are in serious decline from over-fishing, pollution and other harmful activity.
To help restore and protect this vitally important habitat, 127 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in English and offshore Welsh waters have been recommended to the Government for protection, following consultation with more than a million stakeholders.
However, there are indications that only a small proportion of these will actually be designated. To put pressure on the Government to designate the full site of 127 recommended sites, all 47 wildlife trusts are encouraging people to become ‘friend’ of their local MCZ. Only by designating all the recommended MCZs can we provide protection to the full range of habitats in our waters, ensuring that species are able to move between protected habitats.
To help inspire people about the amazing diversity of our seas, and to make the most of the fabulous seaside this summer, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is hosting two marine events at Cresswell Foreshore on
Thursday 2 August, between 9.30am - 1.30pm and Wednesday 8 August, between 12.30pm - 2.30pm.
Places must be booked; contact Laura Lowther on: 0191 284 6884 to secure a place.
Anybody interested in joining in should meet by the ice cream shop in Cresswell. Children must be accompanied by an adult and there is a suggested donation of £2.50 per child. All equipment will be provided.
Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust said:
“Our seas are rich in so many fascinating species - from tiny corals to
basking sharks, from anemones to water birds - and yet they are seriously under threat. National Marine Week is the perfect opportunity for people to join us at our rock pooling events and experience for themselves the stunning diversity of wildlife that our seas and shore have to offer, helping them to understand the urgency and importance of protecting our vital marine habitats for the future. We mustn’t miss the opportunity to act now, before it’s too late.”
To read more about befriending your local MCZ, log on at: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org.MCZfriends-sign-up