Few would question the Essex coastline coming a poor second when compared to the Philippines with its azure waters, coral reefs and exotic palm tree-lined golden bays.

Talk about marine biodiversity, however, and they are almost on equal footing.

The World Wildlife Fund has even gone so far as calling the River Blackwater in Essex one of the UK's "hotspots" for biodiversity.

It may not have the beautiful reefs of the Pacific Ocean, or the 2,000 different kinds of fish found off the Philippines, but the Essex coast's cold water makes it a hive of productivity for marine life, from tiny creatures like sand worms right through to larger mammals like the harbour porpoise.

"But, because it is all under the water, people find it hard to relate to," explained Gen Broad, co-ordinator of the Essex Biodiversity Project.

At 350 miles, Essex's coastline is one of the longest in the UK. With five major rivers - the Stour, Blackwater, Colne, Crouch and Roach - the coastline offers everthing from mudflats, soft cliffs and sandy beaches to reed beds, saltmarshes and shingle beaches.

This all needs protection, which is where the Marine Bill comes in.

Along with the Essex Biodiversity Project, the Essex Wildlife Trust is joining a national campaign calling for the Bill to be included in the Queen's Speech in November.

The crux of their campaign is the Bill's protection of marine wildlife through the creation of marine reserves - an ocean equivalent of national parks.

Marine reserves are special conservation areas where damaging activities like fishing and waste dumping could be restricted.

With the Blackwater's biodiversity "hotspot" status, this would be a popular location for a marine reserve.

Problem is, environmentalists are worried the controversy surrounding the setting up of marine reserves may mean it is dropped from the Marine Bill.

Compared to other parts of the world, the UK fairs poorly when it comes to marine reserves. There is only one in England - Lundy Island off the south-west coast - and one in Wales and Northern Ireland.

This compares to the 20-30 reserves in the Philippines when Gen Broad worked there as a marine volunteer.

When she returned to the UK she was amazed about the lack of respect there was for marine life.

"I was astonished by the lack of knowledge about what we have got here," she stressed. "The biodiversity of this area is important."

The wealth of different marine life off the Essex coast includes starfish, marine worms, sea anemones and various seaweeds. As for fishing, the area is ripe for crabs, lobsters, oysters, scallops, plaice, dabb, herring and mackerel.

Protecting it, though, could mean affecting activities which rely on our coastline.

As Gen explained, overfishing is taking its toll. With total fish stocks in the North Sea dropping from an estimated 26 milllion tons to ten million tons in the past 100 years, reserves would have to include fishing-free zones.

Although unpopular with fishermen, she said it would lead to better fish stocks.

District and county councillor John Jowers, who runs a fishing boat out of West Mersea, said the Blackwater Estuary had a "lot going for it" when it came to marine life.

As for the marine reserves, "they are a good idea as long as they keep away from the traditonal industries," he stressed.

He said the wildlife trust had worked well with the fishing industry and understood the importance of fishing.

Luckily for north Essex, fishing is now on such a small scale, Mr Jowers felt marine reserve status would have no impact, and likewise with the strong sailing culture here.

From the fishing community to the environmentalists, a thriving marine life is important and needs protecting If not, then future generations won't know what we have lost until it is gone forever.