ITV marks World Oceans Day with a report that swathes of UK waters should be off limits. This includes fishing, dredging and anchoring – to improve the health of our oceans, a new report has found.
Around 40% of our seas are already protected, but only from the most damaging activities, meaning they can only return to what ecologists deem “a favourable condition” but not achieve full recovery.
A year-long investigation found increasing the level of protection for some areas would improve biodiversity and help the Government reach its net-zero carbon commitments.
The new “Highly Protected Marine Areas” (HPMAs) – if implemented – would offer total protection for all species and habitats within their boundaries in a bid to return them to pristine condition.
The independent review recommended identifying new pilot sites in English waters where all dredging, fishing, sewage discharge and anchoring would be banned.
