Conservationists are campaigning for areas of the sea coast between Brighton and Newhaven to be given legal protection.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has named the coatal area as one of 71 across Britain that is important for breeding seabirds.

It has now called for the area to be protected in its report, Safeguarding our Seabirds: Marine Protected Areas for the UK's Seabirds.

Only one square mile in every 100,000 of marine sites across Britain is fully protected.

The RSPB described the existing level of protection as "like a tea bag floating on the surface of an Olympic-sized swimming pool".

The charity says seabirds can benefit from marine-protected areas, which would be established under the Marine Bill.

The Bill, a draft of which is soon to be published by the Government, could help tackle marine environment issues such as over-fishing, offshore industry and pollution.

The RSPB has urged the Government to provide resources to survey and identify a network of marine areas across Britain which are of national importance.

Grahame Madge, of the RSPB, highlighted the fact that, under current law, the land where seabirds nest is protected.

However, their offshore feeding areas are not and their breeding levels can be threatened as a result.

He said: "The site between Brighton and Newhaven is very important for wildlife because lots of species in the English Channel reach their northern most dispersion here, including creatures such as seahorses and corals. Kittiwake birds also nest along this stretch of coastline.

"We are calling for the areas used by these birds to be given a greater degree of protection.

"The irony is that kittiwakes between Brighton and Newhaven are protected on land so people can't steal eggs or disturb them - but at sea they aren't protected.

"We estimate about 30 per cent of sea protected for wildlife would be a good figure.

"The South Downs is a protected area but people can still farm there and visit. We are not saying people shouldn't visit or fish in the area in question but the marine environment needs to be better managed.

"At the moment there is a rush for the sea as people investigate new sources of energy.

"But conservation is important and we want that to be looked at.

The marine environment is incredibly rich. It has shaped our history and we need to give a little back."

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