Marine Bill safeguards wildlife

There could be better protection for the county's coastline as the proposed Marine Bill is closer to becoming law after receiving royal assent.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act means the Essex coastline and its wildlife will receive more legal protection.

Andy May, conservation officer said: "It gives us a great opportunity to do something for wildlife."

"Part of the Bill is about finding protected areas to allow wildlife to flourish without being disturbed."

Land animals have a lot of protection, however, marine habitats and species have not been recognised in the same way.

"There's less than 0.1% of seas protected at the moment," said Andy.

Another area of the Bill looks at sustainability.

"We're working with the oystermen in making sure that the oyster fisheries are sustainable in the long term," he added.

The Essex coast is home to a variety of different wildlife.

One of the species they are looking to protect is the sand eel.

"It has recently been proved that the kittiwake population has declined because of the overfishing of the sand eels," said Andy.

The legislation will also protect species above the water as well as those below.

The Blackwater Estuary is an internationally important site for birds.

The coast is also home to seals and the harbour porpoise.

"We can't continue to commercially fish, to abuse our environment without safeguarding some of these species for the long term," he added.

Essex Wildlife Trust
Defra - Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009