Madam, In December the government opened a public consultation on Marine Conservation Zones around England – areas where damaging activities would be restricted to allow our seas to recover from decades of damage from human activities.

Despite being advised by scientists that 127 MCZs are needed to create a coherent network of protection the Government says it will only designate 31 in 2013, and this shortlist does not even include all the sites known to be most severely threatened.

As someone who loves and appreciates the seas I think this is shameful and shows the Government's lack of ambition towards the future of our seas. If you agree visit http://www.mcsuk.org/mpa">www.mcsuk.org/mpa and click to send the Marine Conservation Society's letter to Richard Benyon MP.

Isobel Godden, Ross