Marine Life & Conservation
First wave of Marine Conservation Zones for Cornwall welcomed
Photo: Dolphin Surfing by George Karbus, winner of the RSWT Photo Competition 2013
News that the UK government are to create 27 Marine Conservation Zones has been met with a positive response from conservation groups – however, many are warning that this is just the first step, and that much more must be done to protect the marine life (endangered or otherwise) that inhabits UK waters. Here’s what the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has to say on the matter:
As the Government today confirms immediate designation of 27 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), Cornwall Wildlife Trust welcomes this first step towards the creation of a network so absolutely vital to ensure the healthy future of our seas.
Cornwall will benefit from four coastal Marine Conservation Zones in sites with outstanding marine life: The Manacles, Padstow Bay and surrounds, Whitsand and Looe bay, and Upper Fowey and Point Pill. Nearby, the Isles of Scilly and Tamar Estuaries will also benefit from creation of MCZs. There are also three offshore MCZs being designated off Cornwall: the Canyons, South West Deeps and East of Haig Fras.
Photo: Matt Slater
Ruth Williams, Living Seas Manager for Cornwall Wildlife Trust says,
“Marine Conservation Zones as part of a network of protected areas are one of the best tools to protect marine wildlife effectively and restore our seas to their full potential following decades of neglect and decline. We welcome this long awaited news that finally our coastal marine wildlife will be provided the greater recognition and protection it deserves…
This first step in the creation of a network of Marine Conservation zones will help make the future of our inspiring marine life more secure, and will aid recovery of our valued marine areas.”
“ We would like to thank all of the dedicated volunteers who have been invaluable in collecting information to support this campaign and for helping to raise public awareness of the need for Marine Conservation Zones. It is also heartening to hear that the Government has committed to establishing more Marine Conservation Zones over the coming four years. Cornwall has many more rich and vitally important marine sites that still require urgent protection so our campaign doesn’t end here.”
Photo: Tony Sutton
Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ Head of Living Seas says,
“Marine protection is an issue which matters to anyone who has ever spent happy afternoons exploring rockpools or been enchanted by chance encounters with dolphins, whales or one of the many other captivating species we enjoy in our waters.”
“It is vital for the appropriate management of the 27 designated sites to be implemented as soon as possible. We look forward to working with Government to ensure this happens.
“We are buoyed by the Government’s commitment to establishing future tranches of Marine Conservation Zones, demonstrating that it also remains committed to completing the ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas so desperately needed.”
This announcement brings us closer to realising our vision of Living Seas where marine wildlife is able to thrive and recover from human impacts. Well protected marine ecosystems will be more resilient to future challenges from climate change and ocean acidification and healthy seas are also vital to support productive fisheries for the future.
Designation of 27 Marine Conservation Zones:
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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