19 Dec 2023

The first five Fisheries Management Plans have been published. The plans set out how the UK government aims to work with the fishing industry and other stakeholders to support the long-term future and sustainable management of the UK’s fish stocks. DEFRA states that these plans will help deliver the long-term economic viability of the UK’s […]

19 Dec 2023

The United Kingdom deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 13 December, advancing the tally of formal acceptances to the halfway mark required for entry into force. Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State (Development and Africa) of the UK presented the instruments of acceptance to the World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi […]

19 Dec 2023

Ireland’s ocean economy grew its turnover by 17 per cent last year, while the number of jobs in the sector rose by 19 per cent, according to a report by the Marine Institute. The 2023 Ocean Economy Report provides an update on Ireland’s ocean economy for 2022 across three main economic indicators: turnover, gross value […]

19 Dec 2023

With offshore wind scaling up rapidly in the UK ocean, demand for sea-space is increasing. At the same time, there is more evidence than ever before that the ocean is near an ecological tipping point, with marine species in sharp decline. Wildlife and Countryside Link’s Marine Strategy Group is working on policy proposals to reconcile […]

19 Dec 2023

Uplift and Greenpeace UK have launched legal challenges to the UK Government over its decision to green-light the Rosebank oil and gas project – the largest untapped field of its kind in the North Sea. Two separate judicial review challenges already filed against the UK’s decision. Both are expected to be heard in the Court […]

12 Dec 2023

The UK fishing industry will have access to 420,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities worth up to £700 million after agreements were reached with the EU and Norway, the UK Government has announced. The deal with the EU has secured UK fishermen access to opportunities of 130,000 tonnes for 2024, worth up to £340 million.  The trilateral […]

12 Dec 2023

As part of the next stages for managing English offshore marine protected areas (MPAs), the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has launched a call for evidence to support the assessment of fishing on harbour porpoise and marine bird MPAs.   Photo by Robert Bye   From 5 December 2023 to 13 February 2024 stakeholders, including fishers, environmental […]

12 Dec 2023

Attitudes towards the UK’s emerging seaweed farming sector and lessons to learn from other aquaculture industries have been documented and analysed in a new report. The Social Licence for Seaweed Farming project, led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban and funded by WWF, has used the findings to produce resources for […]