22 Feb 2017

Globally the trend is towards fewer, larger fishing boats, and a concentration of fishing rights in fewer hands, making it hard for smaller fishing operations to compete. There are often trade-offs between the social, environmental and economic value of fishing. A new fresh approach to fishing is needed, so that the industry brings the biggest […]

22 Feb 2017

Common skate and spurdog tracking project World’s largest skate and small shark followed in new west coast tagging study Downloads High-tech tracking devices are helping scientists to protect two of Scotland’s most endangered fish species in a west coast Marine Protected Area (MPA). Marine biologists from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) […]

20 Feb 2017

The government’s Brexit White Paper (full title, ‘The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union White Paper’) is short on detail and largely devoid of mentions of the environment, water or climate change. The government is also keeping its options open regarding the UK’s continued participation in the European internal energy […]

20 Feb 2017

The European Commission says the UK needs to take greater action on air quality. The Commission has sent final warnings to Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK for failing to address repeated breaches of air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 pollution is a serious health risk, with most emissions resulting from road […]

20 Feb 2017

Thames Water will face its “biggest ever fine” after pumping millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the River Thames, a judge has warned. The company admitted water pollution and other offences at sewage facilities in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Fish and birds died following the spills in 2013 and 2014.One fisherman lost thousands and went […]

20 Feb 2017

The UK Network of Environmental Economists and the Natural Capital Initiative recently hosted a joint seminar to discuss changing policy priorities and uncertainty post-Brexit. Chaired by Joan Walley, Chair of the Aldersgate Group, participants “included economists, environmental scientists and others working for private companies, public agencies and NGOs covering a wide variety of sectors including water, […]

20 Feb 2017

The BBC and various other sources have reported that the controversial £84m takeover of Dee Valley, serving part of north-east Wales and Cheshire has been completed. It followed a decision by opponents to drop a legal appeal after the High Court ruled the acquisition could go ahead. According to Severn Trent, “Dee Valley customers can […]

17 Feb 2017

Trends in Marine Activities in the North West, North East, South East and South West English marine plan regions – Call for Information Do you have information on past or possible future trends in marine activities in the North West, North East, South East or South West English marine plan regions? Do you have information […]