asked Her Majesty's Government:

What new measures they are considering to protect seriously endangered marine life species around the United Kingdom coastline and in offshore waters. [HL3300]

The draft Marine Bill contains various proposals which will help us to better protect marine wildlife, and prevent the loss of marine biodiversity. Part 4 in particular provides for the designation and protection of marine conservation zones (MCZs), which will be capable of being used where necessary to protect seriously endangered marine life species throughout UK waters, as well as rare, threatened and representative species, habitats and marine features.

The UK's biodiversity strategy has established biodiversity action plans (BAPs) for a number of marine species including harbour porpoise and bottle-nosed dolphins and for marine habitats such as eelgrass and maerl beds.