Find out why our local marine environment is so important and listen to the seagrass podcast.

Our marine environment needs our help. We have just launched a new campaign, Operation Seahorse, to protect the marine environment around our shores. We hope that everyone in Hampshire and on the Island will be able to lend their support to this important campaign. Together we can make a real difference.

Less than 0.001% of the UK’s marine life has full conservation protection. That is equal to an area the size of Farlington Marshes Wildlife Reserve for the whole of the UK. It really has been a case of out of sight, out of mind as far as conservation legislation is concerned.

The good news is that this may be about to change. After several years of lobbying and campaigning it looks as though a new Marine Bill may be going through Parliament next year. This Bill could potentially include the power to create Highly Protected Marine Areas – effectively marine wildlife reserves. This would mean a better long term future for our marine life.

It’s very important that we raise awareness of this issue across the two counties. This is where you come in.

• You can sign a silver fish scale to stick on our cut-out ‘petition fishes’ to show your support for the Marine Bill . These will find their way up to Parliament in the autumn to demonstrate to MPs the public’s support for the Bill. Download a pledge card
• You can make a donation to the Operation Seahorse Appeal to help us raise money for vital marine conservation work. Visit our secure online donation page
• You can buy a special Operation Seahorse t-shirt or ask for a fundraising pack full of ideas to help you run your own simple fundraising events. These are available to purchase for just £12 + p&p. Call us on 01489 774408 to purchase yours.
• You can sign up to join the Save our Seas team to get regular e-mail updates on the campaign.
• If you'd prefer not to make a donation, why not raise money to support the campaign? Take a look at our Supporter's Pack for inspiration and information.
• You can join our ShoreSearch and SeaSearch marine survey volunteer programmes. Find out more and visit our marine conservation page.
• You can come along to one of our marine events during Marine Week in August to find out more. See our events diary
• Write to your local MP and explain to them why you're supporting our campaign and what you want the Marine Bill to achieve for wildlife. Click here for some hints and tips.

What will your money do?
We urgently need to carry out more survey work so that we know what needs protecting under the sea and where. Unfortunately biological surveying underwater is much more difficult and expensive than on land.

• For £500 we can run a training course for divers to carry out underwater surveys so that we know what needs protecting and where.
• £600 charters a boat for a day.
• With £1,000 we can buy an underwater camera to help us record and identify the marine life around our shores.
• £2,000 would buy an underwater video camera.

We really hope that you will get involved and support the campaign in any (or all!) of the ways listed above. Whatever you want to do we would really appreciate your support.