WORLD OCEANS DAY

Early day motion 812, tabled 7 June 2000 by Helen Clark (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House notes that Thursday 8th June is World Oceans Day and welcomes the work of the wildlife trusts and WWF through their Joint Marine Programme; congratulates them on highlighting the problems that face the UK's marine environment and promoting solutions that properly balance the social, economic and environmental needs of the sea and the communities who depend upon it; believes that the UK's seas are of incalculable value because they are home to more than 40,000 species, from plankton to the mightly blue whale, representing up to fifty per cent. of the UK's wildlife; acknowledges that the UK's waters contain most of Europe's most important commercial fishing grounds, providing essential protein for millions of people and a livelihood for thousands of fishermen and their dependent communities; believes that the seas around the UK play a vital part in regulating the climate and re-cycling nutrients upon which life depends; is deeply concerned that much that is precious and important goes unnoticed and merits little thought as people go about their daily lives; and notes the initiatives the Government has already taken to mark World Oceans Day.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 5, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 1.