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Sark Plan Could Protect 30% of Its Waters

Alcatraz warning sign about aiding prisoner escape near water
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Listen to the story

A new marine plan could give added protection to a large area of sea around the island of Sark.

The plan would cover about 50 square miles, which is around 128.8 square kilometres of sea.

This area makes up about 30% of the waters around Sark.

The goal of the plan is to protect sea life and the natural environment near the island.

Marine plans usually set rules about what activities can happen in certain areas of the sea.

This can include limits on fishing, building, or other human activities that might harm sea creatures or plants.

At the moment, the plan is only a proposal, which means it has not been approved yet.

People and officials will likely discuss the idea before any final decision is made.

Protecting parts of the sea can help fish populations grow and keep ecosystems healthy.

It can also support local communities that depend on the sea for fishing or tourism.

Sark is a small island, so a large percentage of protected water could make a big difference to its natural surroundings.

If approved, the plan would be an important step for marine conservation in the area.

More details about how the plan will work are expected to follow as discussions continue.

Vocabulary10 words

marine plan
a plan that decides how to use and protect the sea
protect
to keep something safe from harm
proposal
an idea suggested for people to consider
ecosystems
all the living things and their environment together
marine conservation
work done to protect the sea and its life
environment
the natural world around us
population
the number of a type of animal or plant in an area
officials
people who have authority to make decisions
tourism
the business of people travelling for holidays
approved
officially agreed to and accepted

Quiz

1. What percentage of the waters around Sark could get added protection?
2. What is the current status of the marine plan?
3. True or false: Marine plans can include rules about fishing and building near the sea.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

A new marine plan could give added _____ to a large area of sea around the island of Sark.

The plan would cover about 50 square miles, which is around 128.8 square _____ of sea.

This area makes up about 30% of the _____ around Sark.

The goal of the plan is to protect sea life and the natural _____ near the island.

Marine plans usually set _____ about what activities can happen in certain areas of the sea.

This can include limits on _____, building, or other human activities.

At the moment, the plan is only a _____, which means it has not been approved yet.

Protecting parts of the sea can help fish _____ grow and keep ecosystems healthy.

It can also support local communities that depend on the sea for fishing or _____.

If approved, the plan would be an important step for marine _____ in the area.

Discussion questions

  1. Why might it be important to protect sea areas around small islands like Sark?
  2. What activities do you think should be limited in protected marine areas?
  3. How could protecting the sea help local communities?
  4. Do you think 30% is a large or small amount of protection? Why?

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