29 Nov 2022

The UK fisheries policy authorities – DAERA, Defra, Welsh Government, Scottish government – have collaborated to produce a Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS), which arises from a legal requirement in section 2 of the Fisheries Act 2020 (the Act). The JFS sets out the policies of the fisheries policy authorities for achieving, or contributing to the […]

29 Nov 2022

The expansion of offshore wind farms in the North Sea is making progress. But the consequences for the marine environment they are built in have not yet been fully researched.     Scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon have already provided valuable insights into the effects of wind farms in past studies. In their latest publication, […]

29 Nov 2022

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has published a new report that sets out their view on how some of Defra’s agencies can and should work in order to recover nature in England.     A blog written by Jess Chappell – RSPB  England Senior Policy Officer – introduces the report and […]

29 Nov 2022

A new study in Frontiers in Marine Science, led by researchers at the University of British Columbia, presents evidence suggesting that global aquaculture growth rates peaked at 14.1 per cent in 1996 and have been in continuous decline since then. China, which leads the top 10 aquaculture countries with the highest farmed species production, experienced an order […]

29 Nov 2022

Defra have opened a new round of the UK Seafood Fund’s Infrastructure scheme, as part of £100 million UK Seafood Fund.  Round 2 will focus on projects that can build capability across the supply chain through ports, harbours, processing and aquaculture infrastructure.     First round Funding to boost the UK fishing industry through projects […]

29 Nov 2022

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has now joined as a co-claimant in the Good Law project’s legal case to protect coastal waters from sewage.     In a statement, MCS said: “We’re taking legal action against the UK Government as a result of their failure to address the sewage pollution scandal facing English shores.  Spills […]

29 Nov 2022

The first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, will take place in Uruguay from 28 November to 2 December 2022.     The Uruguay meeting comes after the parties at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi in March agreed to […]

22 Nov 2022

A new survey has revealed the overwhelming value the public feel the marine environment offers to their mental and physical health. However, around half of the 12,000 people surveyed also expressed concern, with over 80% of those taking part saying how crucial it is to protect the ocean. Almost 70% of people see marine litter […]