Campaigners call for underwater areas off Isles of Scilly to become 'national park'
They want parts of the Severn Estuary, Bristol Channel and Isles of Scilly to copy Plymouth Sound and become a national park
The Blue Marine Foundation is calling for some underwater areas, including off the Isles of Scilly, to get the same supports as places on land such as Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Plymouth Sound self-declared its national marine park status in 2019 and is now being cited as a great example of efforts to protect Britain's unique marine environments.
The foundation would like to see more snorkeling trails, maybe underwater sculpture parks, easier access to water for swimmers and water users, more educational activities and projects to show those on land what is living in the local waters.
Natasha Bradshaw, who's involved in the campaign, told us it could help protect sea life and boost tourism.
She said: "It's 70 years since national parks on land were designed and we don't have any in the sea, yet we all love going to the beach and we look out to the lovely open blue space.
"Over the last few years people have generally understood a little but more about the sea but 70 years ago when national parks were created we didn't know as much about the sea as we do know.
"Within marine parks there would be marine protected areas, conservation zones, which are designated for their special habitats and species - and by promoting awareness of those special features people will understand and respect their local sea areas more.
"There will be more opportunities to engage with water-based activities, perhaps snorkelling trails."
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard added: "As well as being the local MP in Plymouth, I'm also the shadow environment secretary so I lead on this area nationally for the opposition.
"There's an enormous potential and opportunity not just to test and prove that a national marine park works in Plymouth Sound but then to roll it out right round the country.
"We have an enormous array of diverse biodiversity in our waters. We have some absolutely special marine habitats but the designations are often complicated and wordy and I don't think that people always understand how marine protection works.
"It's much easier understanding it on land. People value a national park. They value an area of outstanding natural beauty they can see it. It's often harder to see it in the marine environment which is why that plain English descriptor of being a national marine park is something that is so very important."
The Blue Marine Foundation are currently starting discussions across the UK in areas where they would like to see more protections.
• Dorset, Solent and the Isle of Wight to Sussex
• London Gateway, North Kent & South Essex
• Suffolk, The Wash & North Norfolk
• Tyne to Tees Seascape, Northumberland and Berwickshire
• Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel
• The Isles of Scilly
• Pembrokeshire
• Argyll Coast & Islands
• Jersey
For more about the campaign click here
For more about the blue marine foundation click here
For more about the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park click here