Press Release: For immediate use 25/01/12

One third of AM’s sign Petition Fish at Wildlife Trusts Wales Senedd event.

A total of 16 AMs signed the Wildlife Trusts Wales Petition Fish at the Senedd yesterday (24 January 2012), representing 1/3^rd of AMs eligible to sign (Ministers cannot sign).

Julie Morgan at the Welsh Assembly Petition Fish event

Petition Fish calls for greater protection of the sea around Wales through a network of well-managed Marine Protected Areas

Wildlife Trusts Wales are calling for the improved management and enforcement of existing Marine Protected Areas, and the creation of new Marine Conservation Zones.

The AM’s who signed on 24 January are:

Jocelyn Davies AM (South Wales East - Plaid)

Russell George AM (Montgomeryshire – Conservatives)

Vaugan Gething AM (Cardiff South + Penarth – Labour)

Julie Morgan AM (Cardiff North – Labour)

Rebecca Evans AM (Mid + West Wales – Labour)

Mike Hedges AM (Swansea East – Labour)

Julie James AM (Swansea West – Labour)

William Powell AM (Mid + West Wales – Lib Dem)

Simon Thomas AM (Mid + West – Plaid)

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM (Carmarthen East – Plaid)

Joyce Watson AM (Mid + West – Labour)

Lindsay Whittle AM (South Wales East – Plaid)

Lord Elis-Thomas AM (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy – Plaid + Chair of Environment and Sustainability Committee)

Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM (North Wales – Plaid)

Mark Isherwood AM (North Wales – Conservatives)

Aled Roberts AM (North Wales – Lib Dem)

Photos of each AM with a Petition Fish are available from BethHenshall@wildlifetrustswales.org  phone 02920 48 00 70

Over 36% of Welsh waters are currently classified as Marine Protected Areas, but, according to Wildlife Trust Wales, their management and enforcement is failing and poorly resourced.

The first public consultation on establishing Marine Conservation Zones in Welsh waters is due this spring, with designation planned for 2013.

ENDS

Contact Information:

 Beth Henshall

Marine Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, Wildlife Trusts Wales

02920 480070 / 07709 495629

bethhenshall@wildlifetrustswales.org

Notes for editors:

• There are six Wildlife Trusts in Wales working together to protect wildlife for the future. Between us, we have more than 30,000 members and manage 230 nature reserves, including 28 coastal reserves.  We also campaign at local, regional, and national level for better protection of wildlife and the environment in Wales.

• The Wildlife Trusts have been campaigning for many years for comprehensive legislation to achieve better protection for marine wildlife and effective management of our seas.  For more information, please visit http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/livingseas

• ‘Petition Fish’ is Wildlife Trusts Wales’ campaign to gather public support for marine Protected Areas and Marine Conservation Zones. in Wales.  Signed scales are being attached to our fish, which will eventually ‘shoal’ together to the Senedd and Westminster to demonstrate the level of public support for MPAs.  For more information, please visit http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/petitionfish