The Marine and Coastal Access Act is finally here!

We are delighted that the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act received Royal Assent on 12 November 2009. Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link), together with our sister Link organisations – Wales Environment Link, Scottish Environment LINK and the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force – has campaigned for ten long years for comprehensive marine legislation to protect our seas and enable recovery of damaged areas. Link's Vision for the future of our seas is:

“Healthy, well-managed seas, where wildlife is flourishing and ecosystems are protected, connected and thriving”

The seas around the UK are among the most productive and wildlife-rich on Earth. They have an amazing array of habitats – from colourful reefs, to seagrass meadows and undersea cliffs and caves – which host an incredible diversity of marine wildlife. The UK’s seas support thousands of marine plants and animals, from tiny corals to massive basking sharks and orcas. Our seas also support many thousands of jobs in many different industries, are an important part of our cultural heritage and bring enjoyment to millions of people each year.

But our seas and their wildlife are under increasing pressure and marine biodiversity is declining. Over the centuries they have been taken for granted, regarded as a limitless resource. Fragile habitats have been destroyed, once-common species are now on the brink of extinction, fish stocks have collapsed and marine resources have been depleted. The ocean processes that are as important as the rainforests in mitigating climate change are also threatened. Less than 0.001% of the UK’s seas are currently fully protected from all damaging activities.

With the 2009 UK Marine and Coastal Access Act we have a fantastic opportunity to turn this situation around. This is a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to manage our seas sustainably, to protect marine ecosystems and allow them to recover and thrive again.