Liz Wants To Widen 'Operation Seahorse' Appeal

10.53.55pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 13th Oct 2007

Liz Leffman, prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Meon Valley, is delighted to announce her support of Hampshire Wildlife Trust's Operation Seahorse campaign, but says wider participation is essential to the cause.

The campaign, which sets out to promote understanding and raise awareness of the plight of our marine environment and the need to protect it, will put pressure on the Government to introduce a new Marine Bill in the next parliamentary session.

"I wholeheartedly support HWT's campaign to raise awareness of the problems facing our marine environment and the need for the Government to take action to preserve it," Liz said.

"Jolyon Chesworth, the Trust's Marine Conservation Manager, has uncovered vital information in his search for support, but it is important this news is made more widely available so more people can join this crucial venture.

"Just 0.00038 per cent of the UK's marine area is protected at present, over 8 million tonnes of sand and gravel is dredged annually from our region for building needs, and unsustainable fishing practices are eroding the seabed."

Liz will liaise with fellow Lib Dem Chris Huhne, MP for Eastleigh and the party's Shadow Environment Spokesman, on how to progress the issue over the next few weeks following his support of the campaign.