ENVIRONMENT
Taking it further
The power of ‘ quiet ’ protest
Jane Maddocks is worried , but finds comfort in the use of divergenerated data to contribute to ongoing conservation efforts
In last month ’ s article I mentioned my concern about out of sight being out of mind . Just how much plastic is dumped in the oceans and the continuing use of bottom trawling gear in Marine Protected Areas ( MPAs ) were on my ‘ worry ’ agenda .
Sewage spills , especially flagrant around the Solent area , are a more local issue that is symptomatic of failures in our national infrastructure . They do the environment a lot of harm and are utterly inappropriate in the 21st century .
What a difference a month makes . I have positive examples of ‘ taking it further ’ to share .
The first is from our friends and allies the Marine Conservation Society ( MCS ). Target : 12,000 beach cleans to be done by volunteers . These are not just any beach cleans , these are MCS beach cleans , and that means not only is beach litter removed , but that data is recorded and put on a national data base .
Once the data is analysed and reported on , changes in the type of litter found on our beaches can show if any of our changes in legislation have had any effect .
MCS ’ s recent appearance on BBC ’ s Countryfile programme has highlighted changes in the type of litter recovered
from beaches . Good results include a drop in the number of cotton bud sticks , and plastic bags . This success can be repeated , hopefully with environmentally ruinous items such as wet wipes .
If you want to be part of a structured beach clean with citizen science at its heart then check out the MCS website and get signed-up .
A second piece of good news came from the Marine Management Organisation ( MMO ). On 13 June this year , byelaws come into force to protect four offshore Marine Protected Areas ( MPAs ) from bottom trawling by any nation . These bylaws are necessary , because action of the trawlers damages the underlying geology , which then affects the ecology of the area . Fish which live just above the bottom are also very vulnerable to bottom trawlers .
The offshore areas are ( 1 ) Dogger Bank , ( 2 ) Inner Dowsing , Race Bank and North Ridge SAC ( 3 ) South Dorset Marine Conservation Zone and ( 4 ) The Canyons Marine Conservation Zone . To read each decision in detail go to the MMO website and look for the new byelaws . This will get
“ These are not just any beach cleans , these are MCS beach cleans ”
you maps , the decision , and the rationale behind the decision .
Perhaps this is the beginning of an overall strengthening of protection to our MPAs . We need to keep a sharp eye on how they are faring , so that we can continue to raise issues about protecting our seas .
Finally , Defra ( the Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs ) is looking to produce a Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code for England . It is expected to follow the model of the Scottish code .
It ’ s really wide ranging , encompassing sea use ; open water swimming ; diving and snorkelling , marine life stranding ( really relevant at the moment ) marine life crime and other issues . The idea is that it will be an overarching guidance to the public on minimising disturbance to marine wildlife .
As the National Governing Body for scuba diving and snorkelling in the UK , BSAC is being consulted . It ’ s encouraging that we have talked about these issues in-house for some time now . We have some relevant guidance on our website , and we will be using that to contribute to the document . If you have further ideas and comments , then let me know . I have a large and expert team around the country to make sure we have a sound contribution to make , but your comments are always valuable , because you see what is really happening .
And finally , just to make sure I hit my happy place ; my local water company has been fined heavily for discharging sewage into the sea . They have announced a huge sum of money that is to be invested into making discharges of raw sewage into the sea much less likely .
Congratulations to many of the local divers round here who took time to monitor and record the discharges and protested quietly for cleaner seas . You know who you are ! �
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