The Government has pledged to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 – the ‘30×30’ target. This important commitment has the potential to turn the tide on nature’s decline. However, a progress report for 2023 published by Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) reveals little progress in any of the three fundamental stages of achieving 30 x 30:

1. strengthening the legal framework needed to deliver 30×30
2. designating new sites for legal protection; and
3. improving the condition of existing protected sites.

WCL note that this lack of progress comes despite clear legislative opportunities to make a difference, most notably in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. On the current trajectory, the 30% target will not be achieved by 2030—or any time in the foreseeable future without urgent action.

Eleven priorities for action in 2023/24 are proposed in the report. Four of these  are concerned with achieving 30 x 30 at sea. These are:

* Setting byelaws through the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) programme to halt damaging fishing activity across the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network by 2024. MPAs must be protected across the whole site rather than simply the designated features.

* Designating at least 10% of English seas in Highly Protected Marine Areas, where all damaging activities are restricted.

* Delivering a new system of Marine Spatial Planning which assesses the carrying capacity of English Seas and prioritises the achievement of nature and climate targets, including through the protection of MPAs and the delivery of 30×30. Provide the resources required for the effective monitoring and management of the MPA network, prohibiting all damaging activities and properly funding agencies to deliver conservation goals.

* Address bycatch and a lack of fisheries monitoring in protected areas through mandatory use of innovative technologies including Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) with cameras on all vessels in English waters, including smaller vessels.

For the full Wildlife & Countryside Link progress report click here.