Why Now?

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At some point in our lives the sea has worked its magic on all of us, but the sea is not getting much in return. It is time to speak up for the protection of our seas.

Why now?

The success of our campaigns for UK and Scottish Marine Acts means that the creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas in UK seas is now possible and the planning process is well underway across the UK. There has never been a better time to safeguard our seas.

So little protection...

Despite the wealth of life in our seas, the area of seafloor currently protected from all forms of damaging activity or extraction in the UK is only a tiny fraction of 1%. Only three tiny areas of UK sea, which together amount to about five square kilometres, are completely protected from damaging activities like fishing, construction, dredging or oil and gas extraction.

These precious patches of protected seabed are at Lundy Island in Devon, in Lamlash Bay off the Isle of Arran in the Clyde and a postage stamp south of Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire. These are the only places in the whole of our UK seas where people can't take anything. Such places are often referred to as 'Highly Protected Marine Reserves' or even 'Highly Protected Marine Conservation Zones', but that's all a bit of a mouthful, so we simply call them Marine Reserves.

There are 172 other places* in the seas around the UK with some form of protection, and these are known as 'Marine Protected Areas'. Activities like fishing, dredging and construction can be allowed in these areas if they are carefully managed to make sure the seabed and the wonderful wildlife that depends on it is harmed as little as possible. Marine Protected Areas like this DON'T allow the sea to completely recover, which is why we think it is so important to also have Marine Reserves where no damaging activities or extraction is allowed.

*Marine Protected Areas in the UK include three National Marine Nature Reserves (Lundy Island in Devon; Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland; and Skomer Island in Wales), 96 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) to protect marine wildlife and 73 Special Protection Areas to protect birds near the coast.

So much to lose

Sea life around the coast of the British Isles is just as colourful, fascinating and beautiful as that found anywhere else in the world. Our underwater landscapes are teeming with life and amazingly varied. They support everything from valuable fish stocks to delicate jewel-like anemones and giant basking sharks, leatherback turtles and seals. The wealth of our seas lies in their diversity. There really is so much to lose.

How will protected areas be chosen?

There are different processes for Marine Protected Area planning in England, Scotland and Wales. Follow the links below to see what's happening near you.

MCS is campaigning for all sites to be chosen based on the best scientific advice - to ensure that both important habitats and rare and vulnerable species are properly protected. However, the public's voice is essential to show the support for better protection for our seas, and to allow the governments of all these countries to see that marine protected areas are well-supported.

Where do you come in?

Sometimes there will be a choice between different sites that represent the same habitats or species. At this level we believe social and economic interests should be considered.

As an island nation, the welfare of our seas is important to us - over 500,000 people signed our petition for Marine Reserves and over 20,000 votes have been cast on this website. MCS believes that everyone who uses the sea, whether it is for pleasure or for their livelihood, should have a say in how our seas are managed for the future. MCS is delivering your voice directly into the marine protected area planning processes around the UK. We will also use the information you share with us about why the sea is important to you to inform us in our work towards securing a healthy and productive future for our seas.

Having your say about places that are important to you

This website has allowed people to vote on one or more of 73 sites we have recommended or nominate a different site.

MCS recommended sites: The 73 outstanding sites MCS is recommending were selected based on 25 years worth of data gathered by volunteer divers as part of the Seasearch project. You can explore these sites and vote for those that you feel deserve protection or vote no if you do not agree with a site recommendation.

Nominate your own site: It will only take a few minutes to tell us about your favourite spot and help us in our campaign to ensure that the important and special places along our coast are properly protected.

Because the processes in England, Scotland and Wales are running to differing timelines the opportunity to vote on sites in England ENDED ON 31st OCTOBER 2011, but voting is still open for sites in Scotland and Wales. The Your Seas Your Voice website will continue to collect nominations and votes for and against sites in Wales and Scotland until Welsh and Scottish governments release information about the sites they are considering for protection. During 2012 we will work to reflect developments in the marine protected area planning processes around the UK on Your Seas Your Voice and enable you to continue to have your say about the areas that are being proposed for protection.