02 Jul 2017

Natural England has published the seventh MENE (Monitor of engagement with the natural environment) report. It provides data on how people use the natural environment in England. The main focus of the survey is on visits to the natural environment, but it also seeks to capture other ways of using or enjoying the natural environment […]

02 Jul 2017

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has published guidance on fish conservation for planners, developers, local authority officers and consultants, with the goal of improving fish conservation in the Tidal Thames region, encompassing all Local Authorities adjoining the River Thames between Teddington Lock and Gravesend. ZSL spoke to developers about this guidance at a Thames […]

02 Jul 2017

Some points: The Conservative manifesto promised to leave the London Convention is to be acted upon The London Convention 1964 predates us joining the European Union The CFP built on this historic agreement which enshrined fishing rights stretching hundreds of years; and the Danes and probably others are already planning to contest this in international […]

01 Jul 2017

  This is a helpful but a rare event. I can’t remember the last time a Defra Minister provided an overview covering UK’s position on protecting the marine environment.  UK takes centre stage in global marine protection Today the UK and Ireland co-hosted the annual meeting of OSPAR to protect the marine environment. Environment Minister Thérèse […]

01 Jul 2017

This is the same piece as above but it focuses on the marine litter and plastics elements. In particular the commitments UK Government has made to work with international bodies on this. I have added links to these programmes which are not the original. UK takes centre stage in global marine protection – the litter […]

01 Jul 2017

Introduction to the Intermediate Assessment 2017 Welcome to OSPAR’s Intermediate Assessment (IA) 2017. This assessment, covering both status and trends across the North-East Atlantic, presents a picture of this important marine area and includes consideration of biological diversity, eutrophication, hazardous substances, radioactive substances, offshore oil and gas industries, a range of other human pressures, ocean […]

01 Jul 2017

Arctic European Report A new report from the European Environment Agency shows how Europe affects the Arctic environment, which is warming at a rate of almost twice the global average, and how changes in the region impact Europe in return.  Arctic heavy fuel oil to be discussed at International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting The International […]

01 Jul 2017

  David Barnes, British Antarctic Survey:   Last week we have put out two new papers about blue carbon ecosystem services on polar continental shelves.  Unlike elsewhere there is evidence that some ecosystem services in polar seabeds are actually increasing with sea ice losses providing a powerful feedback against climate change.  I hope these abstracts at least […]