ENDANGERED North Sea animals are dying because of industrial pollution and commercial fishing, according to a new report.

The Wildlife Trusts will tonight call for tougher legislation and a new Government department for Britain's marine habitats.

Its national report - Our Dying Seas? - says dolphins, harbour porpoises, basking sharks, whales, cod and mackerel, all of which live in the North Sea, are at grave risk.

The Wildlife Trusts say one of the North Sea's problems is industrial pollution, including heavy metals and up to 210,000 tonnes of oil per year.

Our Dying Seas? claims mackerel are following cod into extinction in the North Sea through overfishing, and that too many dolphins and porpoises die in nets or because their prey has disappeared.

Dr Simon Lyster, director general of The Wildlife Trusts, said: "Our marine environment is in much more trouble than people realise."

Joan Edwards, marine policy director of The Wildlife Trusts, said: "The enormity of these problems demand immediate action and commitment from national and local Government to ensure effective protection of the marine environment."

Environment Minister Michael Meacher has been invited to put the Government's view during the parliamentary launch tonight.

* The Europe-wide Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which is backed by governments and industry, says worsening North Sea pollution trends have been reversed but there remain threats from hazardous waste from industry and ships, and fishing.