Can you help?
Scotland is a country proud of its rich natural heritage; it is home to iconic terrestrial species, wonderful birds, amazing marine life and is one of the most important places in the world for seabirds.
Many are shocked to learn that some of Scotland’s seabird colonies are on a trajectory toward extinction. That is why we need you to step up and act now by emailing Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, demanding that the Scottish Government create Marine Protected Areas that protect seabirds at sea.
The Marine (Scotland) Act (2010) gives the Scottish Government powers to designate Marine Protected Areas for “Scottish Specialities”. It is staggering that the Government has chosen not to include seabirds in its selection criteria.
The plight of several Scottish seabird colonies is grave – kittiwakes have declined 82% since 2000 on the Orkney mainland and are now extinct as a breeding species at Mull Head; the Arctic skua population decreased 73% between 1986 and 2011 and the guillemot colony at Troup Head has declined by 66% in the past decade.
Despite this evidence that populations are declining, the Government has been taken little action to stop it. This must change now.
We need to ensure this opportunity to protect seabirds is not missed; we need the network of MPAs to be selected based on the best scientific evidence available; we need MPAs have a positive effect on Scotland’s wildlife and coastal communities and we need you to help make it happen.
Please email the Cabinet Secretary demanding that Scotland’s Marine Protected Area network protects Scotland’s iconic seabird species.
click on the link below
http://campaigning.rspb.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=13&ea.campaign.id=16661