Marine wildlife at risk as sites axed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

after some of the most “important” sites for marine wildlife have been axed from a Government list of protection.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have been left “bitterly disappointed” at the Government’s decision to cut back on its ambitious plans to protect more marine sites across the UK.

The trust had hoped that six sites in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight would be part of the consultation to designate new Marine Conservation Zones, but only half have made the cut.

The three included are the Offshore over falls, Utopia and The Needles with Bembridge, Norris to Ryde and Yarmouth to Cowes missing out.

The long-awaited consultation features only 23 out of a possible 37 sites across the UK, with critics frustrated at the lack of ambition shown by those in charge.

Tim Ferrero, head of marine conservation at the trust, said: “We are bitterly disappointed that the Government has opted to consult on just 23 new Marine Conservation Zones and that some very important areas for marine wildlife have been dropped from the list.

“We are pleased that three of six sites in our region have been put forward in this tranche but frustrated that not all of the proposed sites have been recommended because of the likely ‘economic cost’.

“The wildlife trusts believe this is a missed opportunity to achieve longer-term gains that will benefit both marine biodiversity and the resources we derive from the sea through activities like fishing and recreation.

The Needles

“Ultimately, any economic activity that is based on overexploitation, beyond the ability of the resource to renew itself, is not sustainable and has no long-term future.”

The decision to recommend only three of the region’s six proposed sites means that around only five per cent of the area’s seagrass meadows will be protected if these sites are designated.

Seagrass is an important breeding ground and nursery for commercially important fish and crustaceans and are a vital food source for migrating wildfowl such as teal, widgeon and Brent geese.

Dr Amy Marsden, marine officer at the trust, added: “Seagrass habitats are a vital yet often overlooked feature of our functioning environment.

“They are easily damaged yet slow to recover and protection from activities such a dredging is critical to prevent further degradation and allow regeneration.

“By postponing action to protect these areas yet again, the Government is leaving our seas open to an environmental disaster.”