Marine Reserves

Campaign success for Marine Reserves Now!

We want to thank all those customers and members who have campaigned with us for Marine Reserves Now. Thanks to your support, the Government now has a statutory duty to introduce a network of marine conservation zones by 2012.

In the UK alone, 22 species of marine wildlife currently face the threat of global extinction, and only eight of 47 fish stocks are considered to be in a healthy state. It’s an issue that we feel needs addressing, and so do our customers; 527,000 votes were cast in support of marine reserves at Co-operative Food checkouts (over 80% of participants).

First of all we got our own house in order, by introducing a responsible fish sourcing policy for all of our own-brand produce. We’re also helping several UK fisheries to improve their sustainability and gain Marine Stewardship Certification. And, of course, we’ve been campaigning for Marine Reserves Now, in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). As part of the campaign, we’ve met with Ministers, key MPs and senior civil servants to discuss the need for marine reserves and a strong Marine Act. And, almost 5,000 Co-operative members and customers lobbied their MP on the issue.

A primary goal of the campaign was that the Marine Act would introduce marine reserves. On Thursday 12th November this Act received Royal Assent and became law; as a result the Government now has a statutory duty to introduce a network of marine conservation zones by 2012. These will include ‘no take’ marine reserves - areas closed to damaging activities such as commercial fishing and dredging.

Following this success, we need your help again. MCS has identified 73 possible sites for marine reserves around the UK, after six years of surveying work by divers. These would help protect a spectacular array of sealife, from vibrant coral reefs, to rare seahorses, to giant basking sharks. We’re asking you to vote for which sites you want to see protected, at the Your Seas Your Voice website.

The sites were unveiled by BBC Coast and Countryfile presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff, on November 10th. She said, “I’d like to say a huge thank you and well done to The Co-operative for the hugely valuable campaigning you have undertaken on marine reserves; it has made a real difference. Now we have the legislation we need, I urge The Co-operative’s staff and members to go to the Your Seas Your Voice website to see for yourself the wonderful wildlife in our seas and to vote for the sites you want protecting.”

Just by signing up to our campaign and emailing your MP, you’ve helped to bring about legislation that will protect our seas for future generations. If you want to find out what other issues we’re campaigning on, please visit our Take Action page.