Time running out for NI sea life

Basking sharks can be found around Northern Ireland's coastline

Time is running out to do something about the filth in the seas around Northern Ireland, a charity has warned.

The warning came from the RSPB, Europe's largest wildlife conservation charity, at the start of Marine Week.

It has urged the assembly to introduce a Marine Bill to bring NI into line with other regions in saving sea life.

The RSPB's Dr James Robinson said the region had fantastic marine life, from basking sharks to rare sponges, but it was being put under serious pressure.

"Marine litter is something that is under our immediate control. Marine life often gets tangled in litter and this can lead to a slow and painful death," he said.

Sustainable

"Our message this year is when you go to sea this summer, keep the litter under control."

The RSPB, which is part of the Marine Task Force, said Northern Ireland "desperately" needed a Marine Bill to co-ordinate its approach to the sustainable use of the seas.

"The rest of the UK have published laws to save sea life, so once again the people of Northern Ireland are being short-changed when it comes to the environment," Dr Robinson said.

He said a Marine Bill would "create a more joined-up approach" towards the use of the coastal waters and protection of important sites for marine wildlife.

"Over half of our wildlife is found in our seas. We must really start waking up to the urgency with which this issue needs to be addressed," he said.