Better protection of marine life urged

This comes after the Government consulted on designating 31 marine conservation zones out of a proposed 127 after a two-year £8m process, having previously committed to an “ecologically coherent network” to protect wildlife.

In a letter to David Cameron, 86 scientists warned even if all 31 marine conservation zones were established, it would not deliver the needed protection.

They said: “To restore confidence, we urge you to reaffirm your Government’s commitment to establishing a comprehensive, world-class network of marine conservation zones that delivers high levels of protection from damaging activities, especially mobile fishing gears, and to publish a clear timetable for the completion of the network.”

The move has been led by Callum Roberts, professor of marine conservation at the University of York, and signatories include Professor Sir John Lawton, who led an independent review for the Government on wildlife sites.

Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, senior biodiversity policy officer for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “In a cut-down form, there will be no real network and the opportunity to give English marine life the protection it desperately needs will be missed.”