The seaside comes to College Lake nature reserve near Tring on 10 and 11 August when the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust celebrates National Marine Week (30 July to 14 August).
Displays of seashore creatures such as crabs, starfish and limpets will highlight the need for protected areas in the seas around the UK.
“More than 40,000 species of plants and animals live in the seas around our coasts, but just 2% of the UK’s sea area has even the minimal level of protection for wildlife,” says Emma Mather, Volunteer Marine Officer with the Wildlife Trust.
“We’re bringing marine wildlife to College Lake – which is one of the places in England that’s furthest from the sea – to show people why we need a network of Marine Protection Areas.”
Marine life in the waters around the UK is facing threats such as overfishing, destruction of habitats and pollution. National Marine Week is a chance to celebrate the richness and diversity of the plants, fish and mammals beneath the waves.
‘Marine Madness’ displays will show everyday products such as shampoo and toothpaste that use fish and seaweed. “We cannot go on just plundering the sea,” says Emma. “If we don’t protect sea habitats then the wildlife will disappear.”
College Lake visitors will be invited to sign little ‘fishes’ as part of the Petition Fish campaign run by The Wildlife Trusts to encourage the Government to make a network of Marine Protected Areas around the UK coast.
Seaside-themed activities for all the family include making an octopus and a ray, and taking part in quizzes and games.
“Millions of years ago College Lake itself was at the bottom of a tropical sea, and the evidence can been seen in displays of sharks teeth and ammonites that were found here in the chalk,” says Emma.
Did you know…
· The UK’s 11,073-mile coastline is host to an amazing array of flora and fauna.
· More than 40,000 species, around 50% of the UK’s plants and animals, live in our seas.
· Wherever you are in the UK, you’re never more than 70 miles from the sea.
· Just 2% of the UK’s sea area has even a minimal level of protection for wildlife.
· Less than 0.001% is fully protected from all damaging activities (Lundy Island, Skomer, Lamlash Bay, Arran).
· In 2009 the EU Commission declared that 88% of monitored marine fish stocks were over-exploited.
· Almost one quarter of UK mammal species are marine.
· Two species of whale and dolphin have become extinct in UK waters in the last 200 years.
· Around 40% of the world’s grey seals are found in UK waters.
· Almost two thirds of northern gannets are found in UK waters.
