Coastal wildlife off Essex could come under special protection if new laws are brought in.

Prime Minister Tony Blair was yesterday urged to introduce legislation to safeguard wildlife off Britain's coasts amid fears that some of the UK's 44,000 marine species are under threat.

If passed, a Marine Bill would give improved security to offshore bird and animal habitats by creating areas that would come under tighter controls.

Chris Durdin, spokesman for the RSPB Eastern England, said it was still researching what relevance a Bill would have for sealife off locations like Harwich.

Published Tuesday, September 28, 2004

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