Campbell supports marine reserves petition
TYNEMOUTH MP Alan Campbell has added his name to a petition calling for marine reserves to be created on the borough's coast.
The Marine Reserves Now campaign, run by the Marine Conservation Society, is being supported by the local MP and the Blue Reef Aquarium.
The campaign hopes to persuade the government to fully protect 30 per cent of UK waters, similar to the levels of protection given to the 300 nature reserves on land.
Currently, only 0.002 per cent of the UK's waters are fully protected, something which the curator of Blue Reef at Tynemouth, Zahra d'Aronville, said must change.
"We have some of the richest and most diverse marine habitats in our region and the proposed Bill would give us the opportunity to protect and preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
"As a keen diver I have seen first hand the beauty and fragility of our underwater environment and I'm delighted Alan has agreed to add his name to the petition," Ms d'Aronville said.
"Having such a high profile local figure backing the campaign is most welcome and will really help us gain support for the scheme," she added.
Earlier this month a 300,000-strong petition was delivered to Downing Street by four children representing wildlife and conservation groups supporting the campaign.
Celebrity supporters for the campaign include Springwatch presenter Kate Humble and Jean-Michel Cousteau the son of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.
In the Queen's speech, the government did announce a draft marine Bill with new regulations but stopped short of introducing fully protected marine reserves in UK waters.
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Thursday 24 May 2012
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