09 Feb 2021
Between 2015-19, oil and gas companies operating in the North Sea released 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through venting and flaring, with the average annual emissions over this period equivalent to those of a coal-fired power station. An investigation by Greenpeace also found that, since 2015 – when BP, Total and […]
02 Feb 2021
Following a period of consultation the MMO has published draft assessments and management measures for four offshore MPAs; the Dogger Bank SAC, Inner Dowsing SAC, South Dorset MCZ and The Canyons MCZ. The proposed bylaws include prohibiting the use of bottom towed fishing gear, including demersal seines and semi-pelagic towed gear through the whole of […]
02 Feb 2021
The government has delayed the long-awaited environment bill, which redraws the rules after the UK’s departure from the EU provoking fury from campaigners who said it would harm action on air pollution and water quality, as well as other key issues. The proposed legislation would be the biggest shake-up of green regulation in decades. Ministers […]
02 Feb 2021
Last week, fish and seafood exporters protested in London against the ‘Brexit trade deal’. While a no-deal would have been the final nail in the coffin for the struggling industry, this trade agreement, does not live up to the expectations of UK fishers. The New Economics Foundation has shown that not all fishers are in […]
02 Feb 2021
Despite much attention given to documenting spillover from MPAs, relatively few studies have attempted to quantify the extent to which increases in the density and size structure of animals along the borders of MPAs influences fishing behaviour, total landings, and revenue. This recently published paper in Nature reports the result from a study which tested […]
02 Feb 2021
Since 1970, “relative fishing pressure” (exploitation of fish stocks relative to the number of fish left) has increased 18-fold – and the researchers say catch limits are now urgently needed to “avert population collapse”. The study reveals an alarming 71% decline in shark and ray populations over the last 50 years, primarily due to overfishing. […]
02 Feb 2021
There is a legal obligation to compensate for the impacts of maintaining coastal flood management infrastructure, or management activities that could lead to coastal squeeze. Coastal practitioners define coastal squeeze to the best of their ability, but a number of studies have highlighted inconsistencies in the definition used for ‘coastal squeeze’ and demonstrated problems in […]
02 Feb 2021
SEA-CHANGERS LAUNCHES COASTAL FOUNTAIN FUND 2021 The Sea-Changers Coastal Fountain Fund 2021 will support groups and organisations around the UK who wish to install water bottle refill stations on beaches or other coastal locations. The programme aims to tackle the increasing problem of plastic bottles left behind along the coasts as marine litter, […]
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