‘SAS lobbies all candidates for cleaner seas in the run up to the general election’

Today SAS have sent our Clean Seas And Coastal Protection Manifesto out to all candidates standing in the general election. We are also calling on all surfers, waveriders and water users to send a copy of our manifesto to your local candidates asking for their commitment to clean seas for the UK.

Last year 11.6 million UK adults participated in water sports and water based leisure activities at the UK’s coastline, helping to highlight just how popular the coast has now become as a place to pursue healthy and active lifestyles. However, there remain numerous threats to the coastal environment requiring urgent attention, if the nation’s beaches are to remain a favourite place to visit.

When it comes to protecting the UK’s coastline from environmental degradation, passionate water users and voters will look to MP’s to take the lead. It is vitally important that Parliament responds positively to this challenge and continues to take a strong lead on coastal protection issues.

Access to a clean coastal environment will be an important environmental topic for voters at the General Election. With this in mind we are asking that all candidates sign up to promoting the 5 objectives within the manifesto.

We are also urging wave riders and water users to email a copy of SAS’s manifesto to their local candidates. Just follow the 3 steps below.

Step 1: To find out who your local candidates are, follow this link to the BBC News Election webpage and enter your postcode.

Step 2: Then download our list of candidates here and find your candidates email address.

Step 3: Send all your candidates an email with our manifesto attached briefly explaining why it’s important to you as a voter.

The Manifesto’s Five Political Objectives To Preserve And Protect The UK’s Coastal Zone By 2015

To see that all UK coastal bathing waters meet the new EU ‘Excellent Water Quality’ standard for cleanliness in order to protect public health

To achieve a significant reduction in the number of sewage pollution incidents caused by water companies

To develop a sustainable sewage strategy for a changing climate

To have implemented a national marine litter strategy that will protect the UK’s coast from a rising tide of waste

To ensure that the value of the coastal zone for recreation is not diminished by over zealous developments and that access to the UK’s coast is extended for all to enjoy

SAS Campaign Director Andy Cummins says: “Waveriders and water users are passionate and protective about their coastal communities. With the coast being so important to so many in the UK we believe clean seas and coastal protection could be an important election issue and one that, incredibly, is being ignored so far.”