The Blue Belt programme supports delivery of the UK government’s commitment to provide long term protection for the marine environment. The Blue Belt programme supports delivery of the UK government’s manifesto commitment to provide long term protection of over four million square kilometres of marine environment across the UK Overseas Territories. It provides £20 million of […]
When new management measures are applied to fishing in designated areas, fishing activity that previously happened in that area may stop completely, change type or move (be displaced) to other areas. These changes may result in alternative fishing/environmental interactions that regulators now need to consider. Recognising this, Natural England established the Fisheries Displacement Project Steering […]
JNCC News on MPAs – Hannah Carr 10 years of UK Offshore Marine Protected Areas: Protecting our diverse and vibrant seas for future generations Our seas have a brilliant variety of marine life and habitats, many of which are rare and nationally important. Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has been working for more than 10 […]
MCZs Mary Creagh, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), said: “The Government has not adequately responded to our concerns around Marine Protected Areas. Specifically, it has failed to outline a plan which addresses the delays in completing the Marine Conservation Zone network, continued to exclude reference areas from these Marine Conservation Zones, and taken […]
This is an interesting issue which some might have thought would have been resolved openly by marine spatial planning. Why has this arisen in relation to spatial use and MPAs? Perhaps it is because the other sectors use other means to influence the fishing sector? Who knows? One of those hidden aspects of marine […]
Welsh Government must provide leadership to protect our marine environments 09/08/2017 ‘The Welsh Government needs to take a stronger lead to safeguard our marine environments for future generations, a National Assembly Committee says. Mike Hedges, Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, launched the report at the National Eisteddfod. The report into the […]
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 […]
If you ever need a crash course in how the UK Civil Service works just type in Sir Humphrey into Youtube, and it’s funny too! A diversion on a hot afternoon. In the UK model information is another device for endless delay ie still no reference areas. California dreaming: Challenges posed by transposing science-based marine […]