HAMPSHIRE Wildlife Trust has launched a campaign to help protect the county's fragile marine environment.
The trust has unveiled Operation Seahorse to promote greater understanding and awareness.
The campaign was launched at Loch Fyne, Winchester's premier sea food restaurant.
Guests sampled food from sustainable fish stocks and heard presentations by conservation experts.
Jolyon Ches-worth, marine conservation manager, said: "The regulation and administration of many of the various marine industries has been ineffective. In a total sea area of approximately 867,000 sq km, only 3.3 sq km are actually fully protected from all damaging activities.
"On land, this would be comparable to an area half the size of the paddling pool on Southampton Common being the only protected area in the whole country."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article