25 Feb 2025
A group of twenty scientists have written to the Secretary of State, Steve Reed MP, to urge the UK government to ban the use of bottom-towed fishing gear within marine protected areas (MPAs) on a whole-site basis. The academics say in their letter that ‘while the UK has designated more than 30% of […]
11 Feb 2025
A new European campaign supported by BLOOM, Blue Marine Foundation, Empesca’t, Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, Only One, Seas At Risk and Tara Ocean Foundation, in collaboration with fishers, is calling on European leaders to ban destructive fishing such as bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs). In letters sent to French president, Emmanuel […]
04 Feb 2025
The Scottish Government has published a new report presenting an analysis of responses to the consultation on proposed fisheries management measures within Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The consultation took place between August and October 2024, seeking stakeholder input on the implementation of management measures across 20 MPAs and amending the boundary of the […]
04 Feb 2025
Defra Minister, Emma Hardy MP, made a string of announcements at the recent Coastal Futures conference. The Minister for Water and Flooding confirmed the Government’s position on accelerating offshore wind growth while announcing new proposals to protect and enhance the marine environment alongside energy development. She reiterated the point that the nature and climate change […]
22 Dec 2024
UK and Scottish Ministers have presented reports to the two Parliaments setting out progress and information on the Marine Protected Area network for Scotland, and English waters (inshore and offshore) and Northern Ireland offshore waters. This is a requirement under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA). Key facts […]
05 Nov 2024
A new study published in the journal OneEarth explores how marine biodiversity conservation, human health and wellbeing are connected. The results suggest that Marine Protected Areas (MPA) can be good for both planet and people. The team reviewed all the scientific articles written since 1973 on MPAs and their impacts on people. They found that, […]
29 Oct 2024
Image: Dimitris Vetsikas/Pixabay The High Seas Treaty currently fills a key gap in international governance by establishing a mechanism for governments to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the high seas. But funding is needed to kickstart the work of accelerating these MPAs, with a focus on supporting the Global South leadership ambitions and […]
22 Oct 2024
As global leaders head to the U.N. Biodiversity Conference (COP16) , a new report has issued a stark warning: The world is falling short of its pledge to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. The “30×30” target, agreed at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference in 2022, is the most ambitious conservation commitment ever made. However, the report […]
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