Marine Life & Conservation
UK Sharks And Cetaceans Need Urgent Protection
The sharks and cetaceans of the UK’s seas need protection from pollution, over-fishing, boat traffic and marine development, a report says.
The Wildlife Trusts are calling on the government to create 17 protected zones for whales, dolphins, porpoises and sharks around the coasts of England and Wales.
Their report says that current policy fails to safeguard cetaceans.
The government says it is working to support the creatures, but it adds that it is not convinced protected zones offer the best way forward.
The Trusts argue that survival rates will improve if ministers designate areas where nutrient-rich water wells up from the deep ocean, feeding plankton which in turn attract species of fish.
They say that these areas should be free from intensive boat-use, bottom trawling, scallop-dredging and noisy development of offshore structures like wind farms.
The UK Government is working towards what it calls an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas. But the Trusts’ report said that”There’s a glaring omission: the absence of protection for the nutrient-rich places on which marine megafauna most depend.”
It says in England and Wales only one Special Area of Conservation – in Cardigan Bay – has been designated specifically to protect bottlenose dolphins. The Scottish government has earmarked three potential zones for protecting whales, dolphins and basking sharks.
Joan Edwards, of the Wildlife Trusts, said “These charismatic creatures are under threat. There’s a significant gap in marine protection policy – we have to do more.”
The report says the seas round the UK have 29 different species of whale, dolphin and porpoise and the second largest shark in the world – the basking shark. It says the reported numbers of many of the creatures have been falling.
HOTSPOTS PROPOSED FOR PROTECTION
- Farnes East, Coquet to St Marys – notable for white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and minke whale
- Mid St George’s Channel – notable for common dolphin
- Bideford North to Foreland Point – notable for harbour porpoise
- East of Celtic Deep – common dolphin and fin whale
- Celtic Deep – common dolphin and fin whale
- South of Celtic Deep – common dolphin and fin whale
- Western Channel – common dolphin, humpback whale and fin whale
- Manacles – basking shark, harbour porpoise and (seasonally) minke whale
- Lizard, Western channel – common dolphin, harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphin and basking shark
- Lyme Bay – harbour porpoise
- North and west coasts of Anglesey – harbour porpoise
- Lleyn Peninsula and the Sarnau – harbour porpoise and Risso’s dolphin
- Cardigan Bay – harbour porpoise
- Pembrokeshire Marine – harbour porpoise
- North of Celtic Deep – common dolphin.
- Eastern coastline including Silver Pit – harbour porpoise
- Dogger bank – notable for harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphin
A Defra spokesperson said “We recognise the importance of whales and dolphins – these are much loved, iconic animals which form a vital part of the marine ecosystem.
“But they can move across large areas of sea, so for this reason Marine Protected Areas may not be the most effective way to protect them. That’s why we continue to focus our efforts on more effective measures, such as reducing by-catch in fisheries.”
Joan Edwards replied: “We know dolphins, whales and sharks frequent areas of high productivity and use these areas not just for feeding but for important life stages such as mating and giving birth.
“Over 900 areas of high productivity have been designated as MPAs for cetaceans around the world – England and Wales are lagging behind.
“We accept that MPAs alone are unlikely to be the answer – yet they are a vital first step.”
The UK government is facing the risk of infraction by the European commission because it has not identified more MPAs for porpoises.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news
Photo: Paul Naylor
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.
-
- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
-
- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
-
- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
-
- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
-
- 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.
-
News4 weeks agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs3 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News2 months agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News2 months agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News1 month agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News2 months agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest
-
News2 months agoComing Soon – 52 Assignments