Environment Minister, Thérèse Coffey, announced on the 9th April that the UK has joined 12 other signatories to the Coral Reef Life Declaration.
The Coral Reef Life Declaration was launched by Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Our Ocean conference in Malta in October 2017 with the aim of encouraging countries to come together to protect coral reefs from pressures such as climate change, rising sea temperatures and human activity.
UK seas contain cold water corals and has an English Marine Conservation Zone – the Canyons MCZ off the Cornish coast – which was designated in 2013 to protect the coral found there. There are also extensive coral reefs off Scotland’s west coast, many protected by 7 of the Marine Protected Areas in Scottish waters. In addition to cold water corals in our home waters there are both tropical and cold water coral reefs in many of the UK’s Overseas Territories.
Speaking from the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton Thérèse Coffey said:
“Few people know the waters around the UK contain riches to rival the tropics – with our waters home to a vast array of cold water coral reefs that protect important marine life. Through tapping into the UK’s world-leading marine science and working with our partners across the Commonwealth, we will help to safeguard this vital habitat and protect our oceans for future generations.”
To see more about this announcement follow this link.
