Conservationists and snorkeling fans alike will be excited
at one of the newest marine reserves--Lundy
Island, off the southwest coast of Great Britain, is now recognized as the
UK's first official marine conservation zone. Dubbed "Britain's
Galapagos" for the rich marine life
it shelters, the island was
privately owned until 1969, when it became part of the National Trust. Although
it has been a protected location since then, it recently became the first protected
marine area under Britain's
new Marine and Coastal Access Act. With this new legislation, Britain hopes
to increase protection of marine wildlife and habitat. Like oceans around the
world, the waters around Britain
currently face a major
overfishing crisis, with many of the native fish stocks severely
threatened. As the government and national conservation groups work to reverse
this trend before it is too late, reserves such as the one on Lundy Island
are critical to restoring natural balance in Britain's marine ecosystems.
