John Penrose

Conservative Party | Weston-super-Mare

Weston MP shows support for Marine Bill

Local MP John Penrose is supporting The Wildlife Trusts’ call for a Marine Bill in next month’s Queen’s Speech. 

The Weston-super-Mare MP attended the Petition Fish reception in the House of Commons where the Wildlife Trusts showcased their petition fish with signed scales. They have gathered more than 150,000 signatures from around the UK over the summer, showing strong public support for the Government to include a Marine Bill in next month’s Queen’s speech. The Trusts also launched their report Marine Reserves: TLC for our seas and sea life.

Speaking after the event Mr Penrose said:

“I was delighted to see so many people calling upon the Government for a Marine Bill.

“We need to do everything that we can to protect our marine environment and costal waters. As the Wildlife Trusts’ report illustrates, we have extraordinarily rich seas around the UK that are home to more than 44,000 plants and animal species, from intricate corals and seahorses to seals and dolphins. But this is all threatened by over-exploitation through, among others, overfishing, sand and gravel extraction, as well as waste dumping.

“We need to look after our seas far better so I was reassured that many other MPs were there showing strong cross party support for the Bill.

“I am hopeful that the government will listen to the voice of the people and will include the Bill on the 6th November.”

Michael Allen, chairman of The Wildlife Trusts, said at the event:

“We have been delighted with the tens of thousands of signatures that Wildlife Trusts from around the UK have gathered for our Petition Fish.  It shows there is public support for protecting our marine environment.

“We have a unique patchwork of marine habitats around our coast with meadows of seagrass, forests of kelp, gardens of colourful sponges and corals, and moonscapes of sand and mud riddled with the burrows of millions of shellfish and worms.  Not only does this report demonstrate the urgent need for a Marine Bill which includes effective legal measures to designate Marine Reserves but it also sets out how Marine Reserves might operate. 

“We appreciate the cross party support we have received for a Bill and urge the Government to include the Bill in next month’s Queen’s Speech.”