Press Release

Press Release Archive: Monday 01 August 2011

Bernard the Gurnard

A new voice for Marine Protected Areas

He’s red, he’s got scales and fins, he lives on a seabed near you, and he’s on a quest to make sure the UK’s marine wildlife gets the protection it needs.  Bernard the Gurnard is the new face and voice of The Wildlife Trusts’ ‘Petition Fish’ campaign. An online animation starring the character Bernard, a red gurnard, has been launched by The Wildlife Trusts. Bernard is a fish frustrated by waiting for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the UK’s seas.  The animation tells the story of his plight to find a marine utopia in the form of his very own MPA, a refuge for him and the other sea creatures he lives with.  The animation contains a strong call to action - to support The Wildlife Trusts’ Petition Fish campaign. The aim of Petition Fish is to demonstrate public support for MPAs by gathering signatures online, by text, and at Wildlife Trust events.  Bernard’s on-screen debut will be accompanied by the launch of his profiles on Twitter and Facebook.  He will follow the MPA situation closely and post regular updates, via the social media channels, on what’s happening as Government decides which undersea areas will be protected. Joan Edwards, Head of Living Seas for The Wildlife Trusts, said: "We want everyone to celebrate our seas, understand more about the threats facing native marine life, and get involved in protecting it.  We hope that Bernard will help us spread the message even further. "His updates will be fun and engaging but, ultimately, the message is urgent and very serious: we have one year to create a strong network of protected areas for marine wildlife in the UK.  Just one year to demonstrate the importance of healthy, well-protected seas.  Only with the right protection can they continue to support the demands we place on them for food, resources and climate regulation.  We all need to show our support for MPAs through Petition Fish, and we need to do it now." Bernard is a red gurnard, a bottom-feeding fish which lives in sandy areas around the UK coast, and eats crustaceans and smaller fish.  Gurnards have two unusual features: they can walk, using slender ‘fingers’ - actually fin spines – to creep along the seabed, and they can ‘talk’ (they grunt and croak, perhaps to communicate with each other). Watch Bernard the Gurnard’s message, visit www.wildlifetrusts.org/petitionfish 'Friend’ Bernard on Facebook www.facebook.com/BernardtheGurnard Follow Bernard on Twitter www.twitter.com/BernardTGurnard @BernardTGurnard  Sign Petition Fish www.wildlifetrusts.org/petitionfish

Notes to Editors

1. The Wildlife Trusts’ Petition Fish campaign
   Petition Fish are The Wildlife Trusts’ way of gathering signatures from the public in support of MPAs.  Signatures will be gathered online and through texts.  There will be opportunities to sign scales at The Wildlife Trusts’ events.  These scales will be attached to large fish which will eventually be taken en masse to Westminster to demonstrate the weight of public support for MPAs. 
   In 2007 The Wildlife Trusts launched a campaign to raise awareness for the need of legislation to protect the UK’s seas - only 0.001% was fully protected from damaging activities.   A survey in the same year found that people across the UK thought that more than a quarter - 27% - of our sea area is already safe within Marine Reserves.  The poll was conducted by ICM. 1,296 people were interviewed.
   www.wildlifetrusts.org/petitionfish
   
   
2. Creators of Bernard the Gurnard
   Bernard the Gurnard has been created by animators, Archipelago, who design and produce online content including animation, infographics and interactive engagement tools (www.archipelago.co.uk).
   
   
3. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places throughout the historic county of Lincolnshire – from the Humber to the Wash. The Trust is Lincolnshire’s leading nature conservation charity with over 25,000 members and around 100 nature reserves. The Trust is a member of a nationwide network of 47 local trusts which work to protect wildlife - The Wildlife Trusts.
   www.lincstrust.org.uk
   
   
4. The Wildlife Trusts. There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone.  With more than 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. 150,000 of our members belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch.  We manage around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.
   www.wildlifetrusts.org
   

For further information please contact

Rachel Shaw, Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01507 526667   (ansaphone out of office hours)
Fax: 01507 525732
Email: Rachel Shaw

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Banovallum House
Manor House Street
Horncastle
Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk