Looking after our marine environment
Living Seas is our collective vision for the future of the sea around Wales and the UK. Within Living Seas, marine wildlife thrives, from the depths of the ocean to the coastal shallows. Unfortunately, Wales’ seas are not currently Living Seas. Significant and urgent effort is required if we are to achieve our vision of a wildlife-rich marine environment. Across the UK, the Wildlife Trusts are the largest environmental organisation working actively to conserve our marine environment and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, which covers almost half of Wales’s coast, has a key role to play.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are places where human activities are restricted to varying degrees. They are a proven way of safeguarding important habitats and wildlife, allowing nature to recover and thrive.
Wales is leading the way in the number of MPAs currently designated in the UK, a figure that stands at over 36% of our sea. However, many of these sites are not in good condition, and we are calling for these sites to be more effectively managed.
We already work closely with the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve, which surrounds our flagship nature reserve in Pembrokeshire.
We are also developing a project with the SEACAMS team at Swansea University to investigate the ecological role of Skomer’s seagrass beds.
Marine Planning and Sustainable Development
All of the Wildlife Trusts in Wales are working with developers, including the rapidly-growing offshore windfarm industry, to make sure that development is wildlife-friendly.
WTSWW is a partner in cutting edge research on Skomer Island, tracking seabird movements, which will help ensure that offshore development takes account of seabird movements throughout the year.
We also respond to applications for permission to undertake marine developments such as dredging for aggregates, making sure that the need to protect and enhance the marine environment is fully taken on board.
Marine Legislation and Policy
The Wildlife Trusts in Wales are calling for the swift implementation of the Marine Act in Wales, to ensure decisions are made to protect marine wildlife for the future. We are also working to ensure that marine issues are fully considered and integrated in all emerging legislation. We work hard nationally and locally to make sure all new policies protect and enhance the marine environment.
Through Wales Environment Links marine campaign, Wildlife Trusts Wales is working with RSPB Cymru, WWF Cymru, Marine Conservation Society and National Trust in Wales on a campaign to raise the profile of the need for sustainable marine management in Wales, and to push for the implementation of the Marine Act.