02 Dec 2025
Photo by Kilian Murphy The UK Government published its North Sea Future Plan on 26 November 2025, confirming an end to new exploration licences whilst introducing Transitional Energy Certificates allowing limited drilling adjacent to existing fields. The plan implements government manifesto commitments to manage existing fields for their lifespan and not issue new licences to explore new fields. […]
02 Dec 2025
Photo by Gustavo Quepóns The UK Government published its revised Environmental Improvement Plan on 1 December 2025, setting out a roadmap for restoring England’s environment through ten long-term goals covering restored nature, air, water, chemicals and pesticides, waste, resources, climate change, environmental hazards, biosecurity and access to nature. The cross-government plan commits to “cleaning up our rivers, lakes […]
02 Dec 2025
Photo by Samuel Costa Melo COP30 in Belém, Brazil, elevated the ocean, bringing it closer to the heart of the global climate agenda, but the deep sea representing roughly 90% of the ocean stayed buried in the margins, with the world’s biggest natural carbon sink not receiving mention in the final decision texts. Brazil announced today at COP30 […]
02 Dec 2025
Photo by Mick Haupt Scotland’s £1 billion fishing and seafood sector faces significant regulatory changes as new EU import requirements around traceability come into force on 10 January 2026, prompting urgent calls for industry preparation across the entire supply chain. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), working with the Scottish Government, has launched the #FishTraceShip campaign to […]
02 Dec 2025
Photo by Maja Bertolt Jensen The European Union has agreed the world’s first limits on seafloor litter, marking a significant step towards reducing marine pollution in a move endorsed by EU marine directors on 27-28 November. Under the new rules, no more than one item per 1,000 square metres will be permitted in areas under visual […]
02 Dec 2025
Photo by Benjamin L. Jones The Marine Management Organisation has published comprehensive guidance on seagrass protection and recovery, highlighting the importance of this marine habitat which has declined by over 40% in the UK since the 1930s. The guidance provides information on UK seagrass, the value of this underwater flowering plant, and the MMO’s role in […]
02 Dec 2025
Photo by Amit Jagnade The Prince of Wales visited Colwyn Bay in North Wales on 25 November to meet young marine conservationists from the Marine Conservation Society’s Youth Ocean Network who have been publicising the wildlife-rich coastline to their peers and adults. William travelled to the coastal town to learn about the work of participants in the society’s […]
25 Nov 2025
Photo by Ben Wicks The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission’s annual meeting has ended in deadlock after most members rejected EU proposals to set mackerel and blue whiting quotas in line with scientific advice, raising fears of continued severe overfishing. The meeting, held in London from 11th to 14th November, failed to reach comprehensive […]
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