A WILDLIFE trust has hit back at the Government, branding it "unacceptable" that no designated marine conservation zones have been created on the Lincolnshire coast.
Just as the grey seal pups born at Donna Nook are heading out to sea, the Government has rejected advice to designate the area as a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) – which would protect their food supply, other sea life and underwater habitats.
It has proposed to impose just 31 from an initial list of 127 recommended by experts and stakeholders, and none are on our coastline.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust spokesperson Rachel Shaw said: "The trust is bitterly disappointed by this lack of ambition and saddened to see the collaborative efforts of so many go to waste.
"Stakeholders discussed Marine Conservation Zone recommendations for more than two years, based on Defra's 2010 guidance to use 'best information currently available'.
"Now Defra appears to be changing the level of evidence required and are proposing that only 31 sites are designated in summer 2013 and they have provided no information or timetable for the designation of the remaining recommended sites.
"At best, this is an unacceptable and a further delay to the protection of marine wildlife. At worst the concern is that these sites may never be designated."
The news comes as a blow to the trust after a very successful year of seal pups born at Donna Nook.
The total number of grey seal pups born in 2012 was 1,525 – an increase of six per cent.
Pup mortality has been estimated at about 5.5 per cent which is back to more normal levels after the 2011 surge tide caused high pup mortality.
Ms Shaw added: "Being able to see wild animals in such close proximity is a real privilege and one that the vast majority of visitors appreciate and enjoy.
"Donna Nook is designated a National Nature Reserve, but once the seals leave the beach and head out to sea there is virtually no protection of the seabed habitats that harbour their food."
