Living Seas The Wildlife Trusts’ vision

Protecting Wildlife for the Future Contents

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision 3

The Wildlife Trusts What are Living Seas? 4

There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the The UK’s hidden depths 5 Isle of Man and Alderney. Together, we are the UK’s largest voluntary organisation dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild Our seas in trouble 6 places whether they be in the country, in cities or at sea. We are supported by more than 765,000 members, 135,000 of Why must we act now? 7 which belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch. Our expert staff are helped by a formidable workforce of more than 39,000 Why are the next five years critical? 8 volunteers. The role of The Wildlife Trusts 9

www.wildlifetrusts.org Our achievements in protecting UK seas 10-11

Our strategy to achieve Living Seas 12-13

Marine Protected Areas and wildlife 14-15

Fishing and seafood 16-17

Marine planning and sustainable development 18-19

Legislation and policy 20-21

Join us on our journey towards Living Seas 22

Cover image: Spider crabs. Photo by Dave Peake. This page: Kelp forest. Photo by Luke Atkinson. page  Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Living Seas The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Living Seas. What picture does this phrase conjure up in your mind? A rocky reef bursting with brightly coloured fish, corals and sponges? A boat trip in the company of leaping dolphins and playful seals? Fishermen hauling nets brimming with big, tasty fish? Living Seas are all these things and more. We urgently need your help to bring back the UK’s Living Seas. The next five years are critical. It is literally ‘make or break’ time. With new laws and Government commitments in the offing, we have a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. If we make the very best of it, pushing every step of the way, our seas will turn the corner and start to recover their health. If we do not, they will continue on their downward spiral. Please join us in our quest for Living Seas. It is time to make history. Read on to find out how you can be involved.

Did you know? The fried egg sea anemone, prawn cracker sponge, baked bean sea squirt and hot cross bun jellyfish are just a few of the many thousands of different animals and plants found in UK seas.

Reef scene. Photo by Dave Peake.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage  What is Living Seas? Living Seas is The Wildlife Trusts’ vision for the future of the UK’s seas. Within Living Seas, marine wildlife thrives, from the depths of the ocean to the coastal shallows. In Living Seas: • Wildlife and habitats are recovering from past decline as our use of the seas’ resources becomes environmentally sustainable. • The natural environment is adapting well to a changing climate, and ocean processes are helping to slow down climate change. • People are inspired by marine wildlife and value the sea for the many ways in which it supports our quality of life. The Wildlife Trusts believe it is possible to achieve Living Seas around the UK within 20 years – a single generation – but only if opportunities are seized now to make radical changes over the next five years. Join us, and support our role as the champions and guardians of the UK’s Living Seas.

Did you know? Sea anemones – though they look like harmless flowers – are deadly predators. Each tentacle is loaded with thousands of tiny, poison-tipped harpoons that stun and kill fish, shrimps and other creatures. The spectacular fireworks anemone, which lives in Scottish sea lochs, can grow up to 30cm high and lives in a metre-long tube buried in the mud.

Fireworks anemone and squat lobster. Photo by Charles Erb. page  Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision The UK’s hidden depths The seas around the UK have the potential to be among the most productive and wildlife-rich on Earth. Hidden beneath the surface are landscapes every bit as varied and beautiful as those we see on land, with undersea cliffs, caves, chasms, mountains, dunes and plains. Colourful reefs, meadows of seagrass and other extraordinary habitats are home to many thousands of plants and animals, from tiny corals to the massive basking shark, the world’s second largest fish. The UK’s seas are also our life support system. They absorb vast quantities of harmful ‘greenhouse’ gases, while releasing oxygen for us to breathe. Our seas regulate the climate, and ‘good’ bacteria in the sea help govern clouds and rainfall. The seas provide us with many everyday resources too: energy from oil, gas and renewable sources; sand and gravel to construct roads and buildings; seafood, and ports through which more than 90% of our imports and exports travel. Our coastal waters are an unrivalled playground, enjoyed for sport and relaxation. In all, our coasts and seas play a central role in our nation’s history, identity, wealth and happiness.

Did you know? Hidden beneath the waves is an extraordinary range of landscapes to rival those on land. Places such as the Lune Deep Gorge, the Mixon Hole, the Bracklesham Balls and the Dogger Bank could one day be as familiar to us as Snowdonia and the Norfolk Broads.

Feather star and kelp. Photo by Paul Naylor.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 3 Our seas in trouble Right now, the seas around the UK are not Living Seas. The environment is a shadow of its former self. For centuries we have taken the seas’ riches for granted, taking too much with too little care. Fragile habitats have been destroyed, whether ripped up by fishing gear or contaminated by industry. Only 2% of the UK’s sea area has even a minimal level of protection for wildlife, and less than a thousandth of 1% (0.001%) is fully protected from all damaging activities. Numbers of basking sharks have dropped by more than 95%, while the common skate, once abundant throughout UK seas, is on the brink of extinction. Corals, seahorses, whales, dolphins and seals – all have been affected. Fish stocks have collapsed and marine resources are depleted. The ocean processes that regulate our climate and reduce climate change are also under threat. The marine environment – our life support system – is on its knees. Thankfully, it is not too late to turn this situation around. Our seas and sea life have a remarkable capacity to recover but only if we give them the chance. With time, space and care, our seas will bounce back. If we act now, Living Seas are within our grasp.

Did you know? The Lundy Island ‘No Take Zone’ in the Bristol Channel is showing remarkable signs of recovery since receiving full protection in 2003. Large lobsters are now seven times more abundant in the protected zone than in the surrounding area.

Common lobster. Photo by Paul Naylor. page  Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Why must we act now? The next few years could be remembered as the most important period in history for the protection and management of UK seas. Following more than a decade of campaigning by The Wildlife Trusts and partners, 2009 should see the passage of a Marine and Coastal Access Act, covering English and Welsh inshore waters and offshore waters around the whole UK. This Act could dramatically boost protection for marine wildlife and improve management of activities at sea. It has five key areas, every one of which could help us achieve Living Seas: • A new network of Marine Protected Areas. • New authorities and powers to manage fishing in inshore waters. • Improved arrangements for licensing industrial activity at sea. • Joined-up planning of marine industry, leisure and conservation. • A Marine Management Organisation charged with developing marine plans. In addition to the UK Act, a Scottish Marine Act with similar objectives is expected in 2009. This will be followed in 2012 by an Act for Northern Ireland. Together, these Acts give us an unprecedented opportunity to bring back Living Seas.

Did you know? No one knows for sure how the John Dory – a favourite on restaurant menus – earned its name. One theory is that it comes from the French ‘jaune dorée’ meaning ‘golden yellow’. Another suggests a link with John Dory, the hero of an ancient ballad, while a third theory proposes that the origin lies in ‘Janitore’, a nickname for St Peter. According to legend, St Peter took a gold coin from the fish’s mouth to pay his taxes.

John Dory. Photo by David Stephens.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 5 Why are the next five years critical? New legislation is only the beginning. The real challenge is to make it happen – to achieve real change – and that is where The Wildlife Trusts come in. We believe the Marine Acts give us a unique opportunity to set a course for Living Seas. It might take 20 years to get there but decisions made, and actions taken, over the next five years will determine whether we stand a chance. It is unlikely we will get another opportunity this good in our lifetimes. If we falter now we will, in all likelihood, push our seas beyond a point from which they can recover. We must recognise this unique opportunity and seize it with both hands. If we act now, we can restore to their former abundance giants such as the common skate and basking shark. We can ensure a future for corals, seahorses and seagrass meadows. We can rebuild Living Seas.

Did you know? The tompot blenny, with its clown-like face and inquisitive nature, is a firm favourite with scuba divers in UK seas. This little fish, only 10-20cm long, will wriggle out of its shelter in the rocks to take a closer look at passers-by. But beware its innocent expression – the feisty tompot specialises in eating prey that no other predators will touch, crunching through barnacles’ shells and battling with stinging anemones.

Tompot blenny. Photo by Gareth Millson. page 6  Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision The role of The Wildlife Trusts The Wildlife Trusts are natural champions of Living Seas. As a voluntary organisation, we are independent of governments. This allows us to set out a long-term vision which goes way beyond short-term political goals. We can voice our concerns openly and honestly. We can respond rapidly to changing or emergency situations, raising funds and public support to enable our work. What sets us apart from other organisations, however, is our ‘localness’. Everywhere you go in the UK, there is a Wildlife Trust representing local people and standing up for local wildlife. Our heart and soul is in local communities and local wildlife issues. Our strength also lies in our collective impact. By sharing knowledge and experience between Wildlife Trusts, we are greater than the sum of our parts. And by coming together at the national and UK levels, with a united voice informed by our considerable experience, we have a powerful influence and are respected and trusted by decision- makers. From the seashore to the halls of power, The Wildlife Trusts have the knowledge and experience to make a difference, and the drive to make it happen.

Did you know? Seahorses are thought to mate for life and, famously, it is the males that get pregnant and give birth. Shortly after dawn each day, seahorse couples perform a special dance for each other, believed to strengthen the bond between them. Two species are found in UK seas: the spiny seahorse and the short-snouted seahorse.

Short-snouted seahorse. Photo by Paul Naylor.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 

We established the UK’s first Our achievements in protecting UK seas mainland Voluntary Marine Nature Reserve The Wildlife Trusts have been leading the way in marine conservation for more than 30 years. – at Kimmeridge in These pages show just a few examples of what we have achieved. Dorset – back in 1978.

Off the Isle of Every year Man, we have fitted In 2008 our we co-ordinate basking sharks with satellite tags to study six year study National Marine Week For 18 years, Our marine their migration. In 2007, identified basking and organise hundreds we championed awareness work in a tagged shark swam shark hotspots of marine awareness the protection of the Wales stretches from Bangor all the way to around the UK. activities and Lyme Bay Reefs from in the North to Fishguard in the Canada. events. harmful fishing practices, West, featuring interpretation culminating in centres, projects with schools, legal protection For events such as the popular ‘Picnic in 2008. two years we with a Porpoise’, and working worked with the with local communities to Scottish aquaculture monitor whales and Now in its industry, government dolphins. third year, the Save and stakeholders to Our Seas team, our promote sustainable online campaigners’ fish-farming across network, has more Scotland. than 1,000 members.

In 2008 more than 100 of our In 2007, we supporters wrote letters For more presented the EU to the Scottish Government than 12 years Fisheries Commissioner For many years calling for Lamlash Bay on the we have trained and with a 370,000-signature we have opposed Isle of Arran to be protected. co-ordinated volunteer petition asking him to harmful development at The bay is now Scotland’s scuba divers to record prevent dolphins sea and worked with marine first community marine seabed habitats and dying in fishing industries – including fishing, reserve. wildlife. nets. aggregates, oil and gas and renewable energy – to help minimise their impact on habitats and wildlife.

page 1010 Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision numbers off the South a dramatic decline in Living Seas porpoises showed our 14 year study West of England. of dolphins and In 2007 – The Wildlife Trusts’ –The Wildlife vision improve understanding of the impacts of dredging industry for six years to the marine aggregates we have worked with on sand and gravel East of England, In the South habitats. than 1,400 pink sea and mapped more fans – rare corals Cornish coast. – around the We recorded Firth of Clyde and Belfast Lough highlighting the urgent need Bay, the Ribble estuary, the for a joined-up approach to Liverpool Bay, Morecambe a series of influential reports focusing on marine planning. We published range of other plants are havens for seals, seabirds and a huge coastal and marine wildlife reserves and animals. Our 150 and celebrity chefs to promote sustainable cookery schools we worked with In Cumbria is now engaging hundreds seafood. our Shoresearch project of volunteers recording seashore habitats and established in Kent, wildlife in several locations around Originally the UK. centres are great places to learn marine visitor about Living coastal and Our 17 Seas. We ran a successful campaign badly damaged by trawling. Northern Ireland, had been to prevent further damage reefs in Strangford Lough, and promote recovery of that the horse mussel we have campaigned for Scotland and England more than 10 years to secure Marine Acts to this rare habitat. Northern Ireland, We revealed protect our seas. In Wales, page 11 page 11

Photos by: Paul Naylor, John Durnell, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Mike Markey, Simon Burt, Wildlife Trusts Wales, The Wildlife Trusts, J P Trenque, BMAPA, Richard Shucksmith/Marine Awareness North Wales Wildlife Trust, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Kent Wildlife Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Bernard Picton/Ulster Museum. Our strategy to achieve Living Seas United by our vision of Living Seas, The Wildlife Trusts’ ambition is to lead the way towards a healthy, productive and wildlife-rich future for UK coasts and seas. Our work will focus on four Living Seas themes: • Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and wildlife. • Fishing and seafood. • Marine planning and sustainable development. • Legislation and policy. We need to ensure that significant progress is made on each of these themes. While MPAs and wildlife are naturally the focus for much of our marine conservation work, we cannot hope to achieve Living Seas without also addressing the other themes. Even a far-reaching network of MPAs, for example, will fail to bring about recovery of marine ecosystems unless accompanied by improved controls on fishing and a sustainable approach to licensing marine industry. And none of this will be possible without Marine Acts throughout the UK and continuous improvements to marine policy. But how will we make a difference? To effect change, we need to address each of the Living Seas themes at the UK, national, regional and local level. We must play to our strengths, using our unique partnership, our reputation, our relationships, our supporters and our extensive experience. For each of the Living Seas themes, we will apply six cross-cutting Living Seas strategies: • Advancing knowledge • Plotting the course • Finding common ground • Influencing decisions • Inspiring people • Making waves The diagram opposite illustrates how the six Living Seas strategies will apply to the four Living Seas themes. This is explained further on the following pages.

Gravel life. Photo by Paul Naylor. page 1122 Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Living Seas themes

Marine Protected Areas Fishing and seafood. Marine planning and Legislation and policy. (MPAs) and wildlife. We will We will promote sustainable development. We will continue to push for drive forward the creation sustainable fishing We will work with marine new marine legislation, of effective MPA networks and fish-farming, industry and decision-makers policies and guidance and promote conservation and encourage to ensure development at to support all of the of threatened habitats and environmentally-friendly sea has minimal impacts on other themes. wildlife throughout UK seas. seafood choices. habitats and wildlife. See pages 20-21. See pages 14-15. See pages 16-17. See pages 18-19.

Advancing knowledge We will carry out research, collate data and interpret our findings to improve understanding of Living Seas.

Plotting the course We will identify, trial and promote policies and practices that best contribute to the achievement of Living Seas.

Finding common ground We will work with marine sectors and stakeholders to understand their perspective and find shared solutions.

Influencing decisions We will develop and maintain relationships with key decision-makers and seek to improve the quality of their decisions for Living Seas. Living Seas strategies Seas Living

Inspiring people We will raise public awareness of UK seas and sea life and promote widespread understanding of the importance of a healthy marine environment.

Making waves We will deliver effective, targeted campaigns to build public and political support to achieve Living Seas.

Photo by Paul Naylor Photo by Paul Naylor Photo by Kent Wildlife Trust Photo by The Wildlife Trusts

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 13 Marine Protected Areas and wildlife What are the opportunities? The most important and exciting aspect of the forthcoming Marine Acts is the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) throughout UK seas. MPAs are sites in which human activities are restricted to varying degrees. They are a tried and tested means of safeguarding important habitats and wildlife. MPAs protect the wildlife within their boundaries and allow nature to recover and thrive. In many cases, MPAs have an influence beyond their boundaries too, as burgeoning wildlife populations spill out into the surrounding sea. Carefully designed and well managed networks of MPAs bring even greater benefits. Networks can boost the health of the marine environment as a whole, helping it recover from past impacts and enabling it to sustain current pressures. To achieve this, MPA networks must include not just sites that protect rare and threatened wildlife, but also those that protect examples of the whole range of ‘typical’ habitats and wildlife found in healthy seas. MPAs are the heart of marine nature conservation and essential for the sustainable management of the UK’s marine area. That is why The Wildlife Trusts regard MPAs as the bedrock of Living Seas. Some endangered wildlife – especially animals that travel over thousands of miles of sea – are vulnerable wherever they roam. So our approach also includes identifying and promoting measures that offer protection outside of MPAs.

Did you know? If you have ever dangled a line into a rockpool or creek, you will almost certainly have encountered a shore crab. Boasting a wide range of patterns and colours, including orange, yellow and green, shore crabs can provide hours of entertainment for curious children. Like most crabs, the female can only mate when her shell is soft, immediately after she has moulted. Amorous males can often be seen carrying a female around, waiting for her to moult.

Shore crab. Photo by Robert Bailey. page 1144 Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Marine Protected Areas and wildlife What will we do? Advancing knowledge. The Wildlife Trusts will collect valuable data on endangered species such as whales, dolphins, basking sharks and seahorses. We will survey important habitats including seagrass meadows and sea caves. This data will be used to call for action to ensure the conservation and recovery of these vulnerable treasures in our seas, wherever they occur. Plotting the course. The Wildlife Trusts will draw upon our extensive experience of managing wildlife reserves and our expertise in marine conservation policy to keep the development of the MPA networks on track. We will act as a ‘watchdog’, making sure that governments honour their commitments. Finding common ground. Using our contacts with scuba divers, sailors, anglers and other sea users, we will raise awareness of the need for MPAs. These are the stakeholders who stand to gain the most immediate benefit from an effective network of MPAs. If The Wildlife Trusts can win their support, their voices will be invaluable in countering opposition to MPAs from other quarters. Influencing decisions. We will seek to achieve the best possible networks of MPAs, by participating fully at every stage in their planning and design. We will use our extensive contacts to build high-level support for the networks amongst influencers and decision- makers. Inspiring people. Using our visitor centres, reserves, educational outreach programmes, websites, member publications, junior groups and other channels - we will raise public awareness of marine wildlife and conservation issues and build support for MPAs. Making waves. Where extra support is needed to ensure that effective networks of MPAs are achieved throughout UK seas, we will deliver high profile campaigns to mobilise pubic support. For more information on the achievements and active work of The Wildlife Trusts on this theme, please see the Living Seas project briefs, available on the Living Seas pages at www.wildlifetrusts.org.

Spiny starfish and algae. Photo by Paul Naylor

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 15 Fishing and seafood What are the opportunities? The UK Marine and Coastal Access Act brings in a new approach to managing inshore fisheries in England and Wales. One that recognises the impacts fishing can have – not just on fish stocks but also on the wider environment. It creates new responsibilities and powers to manage these impacts. Meanwhile, the EU Common Fisheries Policy, which influences fisheries management throughout UK seas, is undergoing a major review. Improvements could make a significant contribution to Living Seas. Fishing – more than any other human activity – has the potential to cause widespread damage to marine habitats and wildlife. However, if we get it right, wise management of fishing can bring the greatest benefits for wildlife over large areas. Practical action can be taken to prevent the accidental capture of animals such as dolphins and seabirds, minimise the damage to seabed habitats from heavy fishing gear, reduce impacts on the marine food-web, and ensure target species are not over-fished. Amid concerns about food security and dwindling wild fish stocks, farming of seafood is likely to increase, so there is also a need to ensure this industry is environmentally sustainable. We believe that changes afoot now, and in the next few years, could mark the turning point towards a sustainable seafood industry in the UK. But a change of name for the fisheries management bodies is not enough. Those bodies need to embrace their new powers and responsibilities and use them proactively to improve the sustainability of seafood and the health of the sea.

Did you know? The corkwing wrasse is the most house-proud fish in UK seas. Each spring, males make a nest in a nook or cranny on a rocky reef and decorate it with colourful pieces of seaweed which they collect by mouth. Female wrasse then tour the reef – checking out the males’ DIY credentials – and pick the best nest in which to lay their eggs.

Corkwing wrasse. Photo by Sally Sharrock. page 1166 Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Fishing and seafood What will we do? Advancing knowledge. We will undertake research that sheds light on the interactions between fishing, habitats and wildlife. Plotting the course. We will continue to identify, test and promote technical and practical solutions that are good for the industry and good for wildlife. Where appropriate we will bring in international experts to help shape and strengthen our position. Finding common ground. We will work with a range of stakeholders across the commercial and recreational fishing and seafood sectors, including regulators, fishermen, fish farmers and sea anglers. We will seek to understand their views and find shared solutions. Influencing decisions. We will advise and influence the new regional fisheries management bodies. We will identify opportunities for them to use their powers to benefit the environment, and we will encourage them to take a bold, proactive approach. Inspiring people. We will raise public awareness of sustainability issues in the fishing and seafood sectors, and promote environmentally-friendly seafood choices. Making waves. Where extra support is needed – for example, when Ministers have to make tough decisions between specific fisheries and conservation interests – we will mount focused campaigns to demonstrate public support for the conservation outcomes. For more information on the achievements and active work of The Wildlife Trusts on this theme, please see the Living Seas project briefs, available on the Living Seas pages at www.wildlifetrusts.org. Did you know? More than a metre long, with bulging eyes and crooked fangs, the wolf fish is no oil painting. Crunching its way through sea urchins, crabs and large sea snails, it can grow a new set of teeth behind the worn ones. Wolf fish typically lurk in sea caves more than 100 metres down, but off the east coast of Scotland scuba divers come face to face with them in the shallows.

Wolf fish. Photo by Jim Greenfield.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 17 Marine planning and sustainable development What are the opportunities? The Marine Acts will bring in wide-ranging new powers to plan, licence and manage marine industry. Only if these powers are used in a coherent way, putting the health of the marine environment at the heart of decision-making, will they bring about a return to Living Seas. The pressure on UK seas to provide services and resources has never been greater. More and more commercial activities are shifting into the sea, or developing there, as industry overcomes the technological challenges and realises the economies of operating on a vast scale in the open ocean. The fastest growing sector is marine energy. The pressure is on to extract every possible drop from the UK’s dwindling offshore oil and natural gas reserves. Once empty, there are plans to use the oil and gas fields to store imported gas. Meanwhile, the UK’s ambitious renewable energy targets will only be met through a massive expansion – and most of this is set to take place at sea, through windfarms, wave farms, barrages and tidal turbines. The construction industry also is increasingly looking to the seas, rather than quarries on land, to provide sand and gravel, while growth in shipping and marine leisure is creating demand for new port and marina facilities. The natural ability of a healthy sea to regulate the atmosphere, climate and weather is of enormous value. There are proposals to use the sea to tackle climate change in artificial ways – for example by capturing and storing carbon dioxide under the sea.

Did you know? When disturbed, the phosphorescent sea pen produces flashes of blue-green light that pass like a ‘Mexican wave’ up and down its body. The sea pen is a colony of thousands of tiny, anemone-like animals living together on a branching stem. If the light-show fails to scare off a predator, their next line of defence is a toxic cocktail of narcotic and appetite-suppressing chemicals. Phosphorescent sea pen. Photo by Paul Naylor. page 1188 Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Marine planning and sustainable development What will we do? Advancing knowledge. We will collect data on the distribution of marine habitats and wildlife that will help inform marine planning and development decisions. Plotting the course. We will champion novel ways to manage and mitigate the risks to wildlife from development at sea. Finding common ground. We will build working relationships with marine industry to help realise the potential for conservation benefits – for example, helping with the design of seabed structures to improve their value as artificial habitats, or running public boat trips combining wildlife-watching with views of windfarms. Influencing decisions. We will take part in the preparation of local, regional and national marine plans, helping to ensure development at sea remains well within the sustainable limits of the natural ecosystem. We will advise marine industry and decision-makers on the best places to develop marine resources to maximise benefits and minimise impacts on habitats and wildlife. Inspiring people. We will raise awareness and promote public debate on the issues surrounding marine resources and nature conservation. Making waves. In cases where there is greatest risk to wildlife, we will run high profile campaigns to show Government our position has public support. For more information on the achievements and active work of The Wildlife Trusts on this theme, please see the Living Seas project briefs, available on the Living Seas pages at www.wildlifetrusts.org. Did you know? The next time you brush your teeth, ponder the seashore origins of your toothpaste. Carrageen, a seaweed extract, is commonly used as a thickening additive. As well as in toothpaste, it is often found in ice creams, puddings, milkshakes, soups, cosmetics and medicines. Look for ‘carrageen’, ‘carrageenan’ or ‘E407’in the ingredients list.

Thongweed and red seaweeds. Photo by Paul Naylor.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 19 Legislation and policy What are the opportunities? Together, the Marine Acts could pave the way for Living Seas and revolutionise the way we manage them. But we cannot yet assume the new laws are a given – nor that they will achieve everything needed. If all three Acts make it into law (and, at the time of writing, this is still not certain), they will be followed by a flurry of additional policy documents, guidance notes and secondary legislation that will spell out the detail of how the Acts are to be put into force. It is vitally important that we influence those documents too. It is unlikely the Marine Acts will get everything right first time. There may turn out to be gaps in coverage, loopholes or other problems that undermine or complicate its progress. New European and international laws and agreements could require the UK to go further than the Acts allow. In order to identify new needs and opportunities, we must monitor closely the implementation of the Acts and their impacts on the health of UK seas.

Did you know? Some crabs improve their natural camouflage by adorning themselves with pieces of seaweed, living sponges and other wildlife. The sponge crab takes this to the extreme, growing an enormous ‘hat’ out of living sponge, perfectly fitted to the shape of the crab’s shell. Some hermit crabs go even further, carrying around a live anemone on their back, to scare off predators with its powerful sting.

Hermit crab in eelgrass. Photo by Paul Naylor. page 2200 Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Legislation and policy What will we do? Advancing knowledge. We will use our data on trends in marine habitats and wildlife to monitor and review the success of legislation and policy. Plotting the course. Guided by our vision of Living Seas, we will set ambitious standards for the management and protection of the UK’s marine environment. We will develop case studies of good and bad practice and identify policies to promote improvements. Finding common ground. We will work with marine sectors and stakeholders to identify gaps, loopholes and shortcomings in legislation and policy. Influencing decisions. We will make use of our excellent relationships with governments, Ministers, politicians and statutory conservation bodies to push for new legislation, policy and guidance to achieve Living Seas. Inspiring people. We will update our members and supporters on progress with implementation of the Marine Acts and their impact on UK seas and sea life. Making waves. We will continue to rally public support as required, demonstrating that voters care about the state of our seas. For more information on the achievements and active work of The Wildlife Trusts on this theme, please see the Living Seas project briefs, available on the Living Seas pages at www.wildlifetrusts.org.

Did you know? Not only can a starfish re-grow lost arms, it can also re- grow its stomach. A starfish feeds by turning its stomach inside out and pushing it inside the shell of a clam. It breaks the clam’s body down – into a seafood soup – before swallowing its stomach, meal and all. If disturbed mid-meal, the starfish will bite off its stomach, leaving it in the clam. It will then creep away to a hiding place where it can stay while growing a new stomach.

Starfish on mussel bed. Photo by Paul Naylor.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 21 Join us on our journey towards Living Seas This is truly a monumental time in the history of our seas. We have the next five years to set the UK’s marine environment on the road to recovery. If we succeed, we will have achieved something our children and grandchildren will thank us for. If we fail, we will have robbed future generations of the chance to enjoy all the benefits Living Seas can bring. We would like you to join us on the journey – to be a part of this historic moment. Your support today could make all the difference. • Donations. Please contact us to discuss how you can support vital conservation projects around the UK. See the Living Seas project briefs for more information. • Join your Wildlife Trust. Become a member of your Wildlife Trust and support conservation in your local area. • Campaigns. Join the SOS team, our online campaigners’ network, to find out how you can support and take part in our marine campaigns. • Volunteer. Contact your local Wildlife Trust to find out how you can get involved in Living Seas. • Share our vision. Tell your friends, family and colleagues about Living Seas, and ask them to help us too.

Did you know? Painted gobies are the songbirds of the fish world. In the breeding season, male gobies make a variety of drumming and thumping sounds to woo a mate and defend their territory from other males. Different males thump out different rhythms, and the bigger males thump more vigorously than their smaller rivals.

Painted goby. Photo by Cathy Lewis. page 2222 Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision Grey seal. Photo by Arthur Kingdon.

Living Seas – The Wildlife Trusts’ vision pagepage 23 The Wildlife Trusts The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, NG24 1WT Tel: 01636 677711 Fax: 01636 670001 www.wildlifetrusts.org

Written by Lisa Chilton. Copyright The Wildlife Trusts 2009. Registered Charity Number 207238. Printed on environmentally-friendly paper. Corkwing wrasse building a nest. Photo by Robert Bailey.

Protecting Wildlife for the Future