After dismal news about the failure of the UN to produce a Plastics Pollution Treaty, some good news. The UN has ratified a High Seas Treaty after 20 years of discussion. It is a legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The wording was agreed in 2023 and in September this year Morocco became the 60th (the minimum number required) country to sign the Treaty, which will come into force in January. It is now possible to protect 30% of oceans by 2030 against shipping, overfishing, pollution and deep sea mining. Quicker and wider implementation would be even better news.
Naturally the treaty does not cover national territorial waters. It is up to each country to protect its coastal waters, hence our 2000 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) which give protection to habitats, species and processes for healthy marine ecosystems. These include Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), designed to protect the most important habitats and species, of which there are 89 at present, some off the Sussex coast. Treaties sound good. Implementation and policing is essential if irreversible destruction is to be prevented.
Bottom Trawling (BT) is as horrible as it sounds, and at present is still permitted in some MPAs. It uses weighted nets dragged along the seabed, which quickly destroy large areas that have been developing for hundreds of years and releases stored carbon. It has been banned off Bognor Regis and a further 117 square miles of Sussex Coast for four and a half years and marine life is slowly recovering as a result. Consultation on banning BT in MPAs closed at the end of September and DEFRA is considering bans for 43 areas in UK waters.
Kelp forests have provided valuable marine ecosystems for at least 32 million years. They grow quickly in clear coastal waters and absorb CO2 and protect against erosion. They create vital habitats for fish, invertebrates and marine mammals. BT has devastating effect on kelp. The Sussex Kelp Recovery Project has found that after four years of protection from BT, ecosystems are showing signs of recovery.
It is not only BT that devastates delicate essential ecosystems. The disposal of dredged material also causes much damage in MPAs. A sad example of short term gain at long term cost is the permission given to Brighton Marina to continue dumping dredged sediment in Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone: unbelievable that these sensitive chalk reefs and marine habitats can be vandalised with the consent of supposedly caring authorities. Healthy marine environment means healthy fish and is healthy for us.
On 2nd October clearance work was carried out around Cootham Pond. The work party on 11th October was at Sullington Warren continuing the heathland restoration. The work party on Saturday 8th November is at 10.00am at Hurston Warren to remove invasive birch from the heathland. Come and enjoy fresh air and cheerful company.
An important diary date. On Saturday 1st November at 2pm we hold our AGM in the Village Hall. Tea and refreshments included, all for £4. The speaker is Dr Erica McAlister on ‘The Secret Lives of Flies’. She is senior Curator for flies and fleas at the Natural History Museum. All welcome.
For information about this and our other activities, or on becoming a member, or offering advice, please get in touch with Chairman Mick Denness on 01903 745971, or see our website. www.storringtonconservation.org.uk/.
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