30 Nov 2022
Swimming in superbugs
UK rivers near livestock farms are awash with superbugs and antibiotic residues, including in the idyllic River Wye, research by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has found. Testing commissioned with World Animal Protection and the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics has found evidence of drug resistance in waterways near poultry and pig farms and in […]
30 Nov 2022
Update on the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme
Natural England has been working closely with Defra and DLUHC, alongside the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Homes England, the Planning Advisory Service and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to develop the scheme across affected catchments in England. The first mitigation projects are currently being negotiated with two partners in the Tees catchment. Investment in feasibility studies […]
29 Nov 2022
Welsh Government start new MCZ designation engagement process
The Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, has announced the commencement of the Welsh Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) designation pre-consultation engagement process. Following the publication of the expert led ‘Biodiversity Deep Dive’ – commissioned by Welsh Government to assess how nature recovery across land and sea can best be accelerated – the Minister has said […]
29 Nov 2022
Partnership to halt decline of critically endangered flapper skate
Population numbers of a critically endangered fish could be improved thanks to a new partnership between an electricity company and a marine conservation group, the Independent reported. The flapper skate, which is normally found in north-east Atlantic waters, is the largest known skate the world. They are considered a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation […]
29 Nov 2022
UK MPA network is likely to offer limited carbon benefit
Does biodiversity-focused protection of the seabed deliver carbon benefits? A U.K. case study Researchers have found that by using recent data on UK seabed sediment carbon and mobile bottom fishing, the current UK Marine Protected Area network is likely to offer limited carbon benefit, even if fully protected. Dr Graham Epstein of the University of […]
29 Nov 2022
UK Joint Fisheries Statement published
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
Offshore wind farms change marine ecosystems: new research
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, […]