THE entire staff of the Ross-based Marine Conservation Society (MCS) on Monday marched on Westminster to call for a firm commitment on a network of 127 Marine Conservation Zones in English seas.

The office staff were joined by hundreds of the charity's own supporters and by the aquarium chain Sea Life, the British Sub Aqua Club (many in rubber diving suits) and celebrity chef and fish-fight campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

The event began with a maritime procession across Westminster Bridge, taking supporters along the Thames for a rally and speeches outside the Houses of Parliament.

MCS says their show of public support for our seas is vital, after the Government revealed it would only designate up to 31 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in English waters this year, rather than the 127 that stakeholders, conservationists and scientists told Government were needed to create a comprehensive network of protection. Over a million people took part in the regional stakeholder-led process, involving representatives from key marine industries, recreational sea users, scientists, conservationists and members of the public.

MCS chief executive, Sam Fanshawe says "Government proposals to designate just 31 of the proposed 127 marine conservation zones just isn't good enough – it doesn't reflect scientific advice, it undermines the massive stakeholder participation process that identified the 127 MCZs, and leaves many vulnerable sites and species exposed to ongoing damage.

"Government's proposals as they stand will not provide the necessary protection to ensure our seas thrive and our fisheries prosper for future generations. Government must make a firm commitment to designate all vulnerable sites this year, and the rest of the network in 2014."

MCS senior biodiversity policy officer Dr Jean-Luc Solandt says English seas have suffered decades of damage by human activities such as bottom trawling and dredging.

"We need to protect our seas now with an effective coherent network of well managed marine conservation zones," he said.

"This doesn't mean stopping all activities in all zones, the aim of MCZs is to protect a proportion of our sea bed habitats from damaging activities such as dredging and heavy trawling, while allowing most sustainable activities such as low impact fishing methods and recreational activities to continue. Thirty one is a start, but shows a lack of ambition for the responsible management of our seas."

The Government's public consultation on their proposals for designation of 31 marine conservation zones is open to March 31. MCS is calling on everyone who values the marine life our seas support, to add their voice to the call for a fully coherent network of marine conservation zones, by pledging their support for 127 MCZs and taking part in the public consultation at http://www.mcsuk.org/">www.mcsuk.org/ mpa/

england/consultation