04 Oct 2022

New research in the journal PLOS Climate has estimated that by eliminating mobile bottom fishing it could reduce seabed carbon disturbance by 27-67%.     Below is an extract from the article abstract: ‘Mobile bottom fishing using trawls and dredges may cause significant reductions in seabed sediment organic carbon stores, limiting the oceanic carbon sink. […]

04 Oct 2022

The Environment Agency and other flood risk management authorities are reviewing and updating plans for managing flood risk in the Thames Estuary. The plan is a long-term strategy to manage flood risk and climate change impacts in the Thames Estuary. Below is an extract from the Environment Agency’s release on the launch of a new […]

04 Oct 2022

Following a bid assessment process, The Crown Estate has selected 12 areas of seabed as potentially suitable for the extraction of marine aggregates, all of which lie within English waters. This is an increase from eight areas selected in the 2018/19 tender round, reflecting the highest level of market interest for over a decade.   […]

04 Oct 2022

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published its annual UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2021, with the Scottish Government also doing so for Scotland.     The publication is a summary of: The UK fishing fleet Its activity at sea Landings – how much fish they catch and land Effort – how long they spend at […]

04 Oct 2022

A toxic chemical is more likely to have caused thousands of crab deaths than natural algae, a study has claimed. There has been extensive coverage regarding the high number of crab and lobster deaths that occurred in the North East last year, following the publication of a new study. The story was covered in the […]

04 Oct 2022

An expert led ‘Biodiversity Deep Dive’- commissioned by Welsh Government to assess how nature recovery across land and sea can best be accelerated – has set out its recommendations.     The recommendations centre around the United Nation’s ’30 by 30’ goal, which aims to protect and effectively manage 30% of the planet’s marine and […]

04 Oct 2022

The Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland was first published in 2014 and serves to co-ordinate action on marine litter throughout the whole of Scotland. The updated Strategy will build on this positive work, with action planned on sewage-related debris, plastic pellets, and fishing and aquaculture gear.     The Scottish Government has published the refreshed […]

29 Sep 2022

National Drought Group states that careful and proactive management of water resources is needed throughout the winter to reduce the risk of drought next year.     Participants at the latest National Drought Group (NDG) meeting have set out further action needed now and over winter to mitigate the impacts of drought on water supplies, agriculture and […]