Welcome
It ’ s good to see that BSAC has joined the Clean Water Sports Alliance ( See HUB , page 8 ). I hope this group of sporting bodies can truly make its voice heard . As a nation , it seems we have a tendency to let things slide . We invented the steam engine , now we can ’ t make the trains run on time . We invented television ; today we fill it with rubbish . We lay down a world-leading sewerage network , fail to maintain it properly , and begin pumping our waste back into the rivers . It ’ s a systemic problem .
Annoyingly , when the whole thing goes public , the not-exactly-povertystricken water executives tell us that there isn ’ t enough money to address the shortcomings of the water management system . This will not wash . Ask any British citizen if they think clean water is a priority , and they will of course say ‘ yes ’. We cannot blithely accept water pollution as inevitable . We need to let our leaders know we are not prepared to tolerate it .
Now , we have a new government . What ’ s Labour ’ s plan ? In their manifesto , they said they would “ stop the bonuses , tackle failing water companies , and protect Britain ’ s beautiful holiday spots ”. Well , that ’ s a start , but we obviously need more than corporate comeuppance and good intentions .
At some point the government is going to come under pressure to spend money on other aspects of British life . The previous government kicked the problem down the road , seemingly regarding it as too complicated . We ’ re now reaching a critical point in that road , and affirmative action has to be taken . We don ’ t expect a magic wand here – the entire issue cannot be immediately resolved . But we can act to stop the rot setting in ; we can make a start .
BSAC has an important part to play as a voice in the Clean Water Sports Alliance ; we cannot allow this national disgrace to disappear from public scrutiny .
Simon Rogerson – Editor simon @ scubamagazine . co . uk
Cover photo : Atlantic Wolffish by Kirsty Andrews , marking Berwickshire Marine Reserve ’ s 40th anniversary
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