Media Release

media release
Marine Conservation Society
Everyone can help Scotland’s Seas

For immediate release: Monday 17th February 2003

In the run up to the Scottish Elections in May 2003 [1], the Marine Conservation Society [2] is joining forces with other environmental groups in Scotland, including RSPB, National Trust for Scotland, WWF Scotland, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and Friends of the Earth Scotland, urging everyone [3] to call upon Scotland’s politicians to:

Appoint a Minister for the Seas
Overhaul Scotland’s outdated legislation to better manage our seas and coasts
Introduce ‘regeneration areas’ to restore fish stocks and wildlife.

Everyone CAN help! Please visit www.everyonecan.org and follow the simple on-screen instructions to let Scotland’s politicians know you care.

ENDS

Suggested editorial for your publication:

Calum Duncan, MCS Marine Conservation Officer for Scotland

I’m talking politics. No, don’t turn the page! Everyone can help! In the run up to the second Scottish elections in May 2003, Scottish environmental groups are asking everyone to tell politicians that you are concerned about the environment, whether land, sea, air, wildlife or your own home

Don’t live in Scotland?

Doesn’t matter. If you have visited or have friends or relatives here you will know Scotland’s splendid seas are worthy of proper protection. Of course, the same is true throughout the UK, but the looming Scottish election is an opportunity not to be missed for our northern waters.

Lead a busy life and can’t find the time to express your concerns over the state of our seas?
No problem. We have made it easy for you to tell the politicians you care about the seas – see the box below.

All those who enjoy the sea - whether divers, surfers, sailors or holidaymakers - have the right to clean, unpolluted waters and to see marine life flourishing, but...

Did you know?

18 out of 21 Scottish fish stocks are outside their ‘safe biological limits’ –their populations are in danger of never recovering. Cod in particular is close to collapse.
Scotland is home to ancient coral reefs as incredible and important as anywhere else in the world. These reefs are being broken up by trawlers chasing deep sea species like the Orange Roughy which has seen its numbers crash by 70% in just a few years.
Production of farmed salmon increased more than tenfold between 1987 and 2002, from 12,721 tonnes to a projected 159,060 tonnes (FRS). Farmed salmon now outnumber wild by more than 1000 to 1. Escapes and pollution from salmon farms are now regular news.
Scotland is lacking domestic legislation for marine species and habitat protection. As I write, mobile trawl and dredge gear may be damaging parks of giant sea pens, rich horse-mussel beds and rare, fragile Serpula worm reefs in a loch near you!
Oil tankers navigating the biologically sensitive waters of The Minch are not legally obliged to report their movements to H.M. Coastguard. How long before a ‘Prestige’-like incident ruins valuable inshore fisheries, aquaculture and habitats?

Voter apathy is rife in Britain, yet we are all privileged. We live in a democracy! If you are unhappy about the above facts you and everyone else can help make our Seas Fit for Scotland.

In the run up to the Scottish Elections in May 2003, the Marine Conservation Society is joining forces with other environmental groups in Scotland, including RSPB, NTS, WWF Scotland, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and Friends of the Earth Scotland, calling on everyone to demand that Scotland’s politicians:

Appoint a Minister for the Seas
Overhaul Scotland’s outdated legislation to manage our seas and coasts better
Introduce ‘regeneration areas’ to restore fish stocks and wildlife.

Everyone CAN help! If you have web access visit www.everyonecan.org and follow the simple on-screen instructions to let Scotland’s politicians know you care and ask them what they are going to do about it.

For more information please contact
Calum Duncan
Marine Conservation Society, 3 Coates Place, EDINBURGH EH3 7AA
Tel: 0131 226 6360 or 01989 566017
Fax: 0131 226 2391Mobile: 07879 821 494
Email: mcs.scotland@care4free.net

Editors Notes:

[1] The next Scottish election is currently planned for 1st May 2003.

[2] The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife. It seeks to protect the marine environment for both wildlife and future generations by promoting its sustainable and environmentally sensitive management. MCS believes in working through persuasion and effecting change based on sound factual evidence. Since its formation in 1983, MCS has become a recognised authority on marine and coastal conservation and is regularly consulted by Government for its views on a range of marine issues. Working closely with other environmental organisations, local authorities and statutory conservation agencies, MCS provides information and guidance on many aspects of marine conservation.

[3] Everyone is a campaign which brings together the members of a broad spectrum of Scottish environment groups. Co-ordinated by Scottish Environment LINK, the campaign focuses the activities of a combined membership of around 500,000 Scots on issues of common interest.