London, UK – A new WWF report identifies for the first time the most important marine locations in the UK in urgent need of protection.
        “Our seas are becoming busier than ever before due to an increase in human activities threatening the marine environment, from fishing and shipping to dredging and wind farms,” said Kate Reeves, a marine policy officer with WWF-UK.
        “This unique marine environment is under serious threat and unless significant areas are protected now by an urgently needed Marine Act, these treasures will be lost.”
        The five “hotspots” identified in the report are: Plymouth Sound in South Devon, Blackwater Estuary in Essex, Dogger Bank in the southern North Sea, Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland and the Menai Straight in Wales.
        The hotspots were chosen for their diverse populations of wildlife and rich habitat, including rare fan mussels, cold water corals, grey seals, fireworks anemone, saltmarshes, branching sponges and killer whales.
       “Our report highlighting areas of enormous natural importance will help in the development of legislation which must include a national network of marine protected areas to preserve the richness and diversity of our seas and to restore sites wherever possible," Reeves added.
         "The UK government must ensure there is adequate protection in the Marine Bill and investment in resources to protect our seas for future generations, not only for the intrinsic value of our marine wildlife, but for the goods, services and livelihoods that this wildlife provides."