Worries over conservation plans

Abstract

Concerns are growing that urgent plans for marine reserves in the seas surrounding the UK, which are vital to the future of many species, may be delayed. Michael Gross reports. Concerns are growing that urgent plans for marine reserves in the seas surrounding the UK, which are vital to the future of many species, may be delayed. Michael Gross reports. The UK government's Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is facing a financial crisis, and it looks like the environment will have to foot the bill. Unexpected expenses resulting from last winter's avian flu threat and from the revamp of the farm subsidies system have produced a cash flow problem for the agency. Rather than paying these exceptional costs from a contingency fund, the government decreed at the beginning of August that the department must cover them by slashing its current spending by more than £200 million, corresponding to 7 per cent of its annual budget. Survey work on seven marine reserves is now seen as threatened As only half of the budget year remains to implement these savings, a range of activities supported by DEFRA will have to be cancelled or postponed. For instance, flood defence measures that had already been agreed and budgeted will not be completed by the coming winter. Even if they are spared flooding while they wait for the work to be started, people in affected areas will face higher insurance premiums because of the delay. Another key casualty of the spending cut will be the new integrated government agency ‘Natural England’, which was due to be formally established in October. Natural England is the result of a merger of three parts, comprising the entire English Nature, some parts of the Countryside Agency, and some of the Rural Development Service. The nascent organisation Natural England is now facing cuts of £12 million. Press reports have cited its designated chairman, Sir Martin Doughty, as saying that “the scale of these cuts risks the wheels coming off the organisation even before it reaches the launch pad”. Environmental and wildlife conservation schemes from the programmes of the predecessor English Nature will probably be affected by the cuts. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has expressed concerns that the cuts “could significantly impact on conservation in the UK and management of the marine environment”. One particularly sensitive issue highlighted by the WWF is the EU initiative Natura 2000 Network, as defined by the EU habitats and wild birds directives. Under these EU regulations, the UK must set up a network of Marine Protected Areas by 2008. The plans are considered urgent because of the disastrous decline in breeding success of several species over the past few years. If the planned budget cuts are implemented, however, it looks doubtful that this deadline can be met. Simon Walmsey, Head of WWF Marine, commented: “We feel that the overall momentum on delivering a vital component of our marine Natura 2000 Network is now in jeopardy, as it looks like key research work this summer will be stopped.” Specifically, survey work on seven marine sites is now seen as threatened. The coasts of the British Isles support a wide range of marine life and seabirds, including some species that have become rare. For example, off the coasts of Scotland, there are some of the most important habitats for whales, dolphins and porpoises in Europe. Two dozen species of cetaceans are found around the Hebrides islands, including many that are international conservation priorities. At the southern extremity of the British Isles, the coast of Land's End in Cornwall is home to the grey seal, which has been the subject of conservation efforts for nearly a century. The WWF also expressed concerns regarding the impact of the savings on freshwater environments and water quality. In a year of widespread drought and limitations on water use, this is a sensitive issue in Britain. Moreover, the WWF states, “the UK is entering a critical time in terms of addressing water quality through the [EU] Water Framework Directive. This is […] a once in a generation opportunity to address long term threats to our freshwater resources and environment.” Water appears to be the key aspect in this department's financial problems. It is now trying to spread the damage dropwise, such that seabirds, flood victims, and water consumers all get their share of the grief, probably hoping that by next year it will all be water under the bridge.