21 Mar 2016

Three perspectives of marine spatial planning, the outcomes of an WOC-SAMS webinar with lots of links on MSP in the North Sea, the latest MMO planning update and Alec Taylor from WWF-UK on the need for more ambition in way UK is implementing marine plans. 1.  WOC ‘ North Sea Industry Leaders Participate in Webinar […]

21 Mar 2016

Two items – the Shark Trust Campaign & the Outcomes of the Convention on Migratory Species meeting  Shark Trust – No Limits Campaign – Leading shark charity calls for Europe to embed a ‘culture of sustainability’ in shark fisheries On Good Friday, millions of Britons will witness the extraordinary sight of scores of sharks feeding […]

21 Mar 2016

MSC ‘Seafood fraud – the selling of seafood products with a misleading label, description or promise – has become a widespread form of food fraud. In fact a recent global analysis suggested that on average 30% of seafood products are misdescribed or mislabelled.  Although it is possible for seafood to become unintentionally mixed at various […]

21 Mar 2016

Sea Change has produced a short animation introducing the concept of Ocean Literacy and outlining the medical, economic, social, and environmental importance of the sea to Europe and indeed to the rest of the world. The animation highlights the importance of protecting the ocean by making choices that are more “ocean-friendly”. https://vimeo.com/139562761 Sea Change (www.seachangeproject.eu) […]

17 Mar 2016

Three perspectives, Defra, The Guardian and the Insurance industry who are not happy! Belated recognition that earlier cuts were not the right direction. 1.  Defra Announcement  Defra ‘An extra £700m in flood defence funding will help deliver the government’s commitment to ensure communities are protected against increasingly extreme weather. ‘This comes on top of the […]

16 Mar 2016

Guardian ‘Figures show 62% cut to R&D budget to improve forecasting and defences over seven years, despite calls for such evidence in the wake of winter flooding. Funding for “vital” research to improve flood forecasts, warnings and defences has been slashed by almost two-thirds since 2009, figures obtained by the Guardian show. The annual funding […]

16 Mar 2016

For many years hydro-morphology and in particular physical obstructions in rivers have been one of the major unresolved issues highlighted by the WFD process. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, not least with other Government messages on slowing the flow. Defra & Environment Agency: ‘Rivers across England could benefit from new […]

16 Mar 2016

Business Green: ‘Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom says net zero Paris goal will be written into UK law following advice from the Committee on Climate Change in the autumn. The government has promised to enshrine a key Paris commitment to deliver a ‘net-zero’ emission economy into UK law, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom told the House of […]