oldharry
Well-Known Member
Conservation enthusiasts are increasingly desperately trying to persuade the Government to change its mind over the many MCZs that have been deferred in the DEFRA report.
The tragedy of the hundreds of seabirds killed by the oil pollution in the western channel could apparently have been avoided if more MCZs had been approved! It was on the telly, so it MUST be true. Even the Beeb presenter couldn't swallow that one!
Seahorse numbers in Studland have been dropping. According to Seahorse Trusts latest newsletter, they will all come galloping back as soon as they hear it has become an MCZ. Its the 'only way' to save the situation. Actually visiting boat numbers have dropped by over 30% becasue of the weather and the recession. Unlike the divers who have been flocking in to see the seahorses. 2008 SHT researchers were the only people diving there. By 2011 5 out of every 6 dives were 'siteseers'. Yet SHT has organised a petition demanding Studland becomes an MCZ tomorrow 'before its too late'. Of course, divers are not a recognised threat to seahorses. When I suggested this to SHT's Director he was deeply scornful - divers would NEVER do anything to disturb the environment!
Many Wildlife trusts are telling their supporters the deferred MZCs have been 'lost', and are organising petitions to get them 'reinstated'. What a victory for them when the government goes ahead and designates them in a year or so's time, as it will almost certainly do anyway in most cases once the additional evidence they want has been collected!
Reading their spin it seems the ONLY hope for wildlife round our coasts is to create MCZs, now. Somehow these 'magic zones' will instantly put everything to rights. Trouble is, a gullible conservation minded public is swallowing it all, hook line and sinker, queuing up to sign the petitions, convinced that the 'experts' must be right and government MUST act tomorrow to save the day.
That is, until the next barsteward commercial skipper cleans his tanks mid channel and wipes it all out anyway.
The tragedy of the hundreds of seabirds killed by the oil pollution in the western channel could apparently have been avoided if more MCZs had been approved! It was on the telly, so it MUST be true. Even the Beeb presenter couldn't swallow that one!
Seahorse numbers in Studland have been dropping. According to Seahorse Trusts latest newsletter, they will all come galloping back as soon as they hear it has become an MCZ. Its the 'only way' to save the situation. Actually visiting boat numbers have dropped by over 30% becasue of the weather and the recession. Unlike the divers who have been flocking in to see the seahorses. 2008 SHT researchers were the only people diving there. By 2011 5 out of every 6 dives were 'siteseers'. Yet SHT has organised a petition demanding Studland becomes an MCZ tomorrow 'before its too late'. Of course, divers are not a recognised threat to seahorses. When I suggested this to SHT's Director he was deeply scornful - divers would NEVER do anything to disturb the environment!
Many Wildlife trusts are telling their supporters the deferred MZCs have been 'lost', and are organising petitions to get them 'reinstated'. What a victory for them when the government goes ahead and designates them in a year or so's time, as it will almost certainly do anyway in most cases once the additional evidence they want has been collected!
Reading their spin it seems the ONLY hope for wildlife round our coasts is to create MCZs, now. Somehow these 'magic zones' will instantly put everything to rights. Trouble is, a gullible conservation minded public is swallowing it all, hook line and sinker, queuing up to sign the petitions, convinced that the 'experts' must be right and government MUST act tomorrow to save the day.
That is, until the next barsteward commercial skipper cleans his tanks mid channel and wipes it all out anyway.
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