Brown pushed over marine wildlife

The UK coastline is home to 18 exclusively coastal seabird species

Prime Minister Gordon Brown must ensure the protection of the UK's marine wildlife, the RSPB has urged.

It says UK seas support 18 endangered species of fish, mammal, bird and reptile but that there are only three protected marine sites of importance.

The government launched its long-awaited White Paper, aimed at protecting the UK's seas and marine life, in March.

The RSPB says the PM must ensure laws form part of the 2007 Queen's Speech.

The proposed legislation, a manifesto commitment at the 2005 general election, goes out for consultation with the aim of passing a bill next year.

'Poor record'

The UK coastline was also home to 18 exclusively coastal species of seabird, including the gannet and the guillemot, the RSPB said.

We trust that Gordon Brown will honour his party's manifesto commitment to provide a Marine Bill before the next election Mark Avery RSPB

Other species, including the great skua and the Manx shearwater, had their most important populations in the world in the UK, it added.

It complains that "the protection of sites and species on land is not mirrored in the marine environment".

RSPB spokesman Mark Avery said the government had "a very poor track record" on designating marine wildlife sites.

"We trust that Gordon Brown will honour his party's manifesto commitment to provide a Marine Bill before the next election," he added.

"His commitment to marine protection will be an early test of his environmental credentials."

As well as creating protected areas, ministers plan to improve the regulation of inshore fisheries and ease planning for offshore industry.

Environmental groups began campaigning for such a bill more than five years ago.

They were delighted when Labour included it in its manifesto for the last general election, but were dismayed when it did not make the 2006 Queen's Speech.