Marine Reserves » DEFRA

Our seas – a shared resource: High level Marine Objectives

Denis Walker — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:12:47 +0000

On 20 April 2009, the UK Government, Welsh Assembly Government, Northern Ireland Executive and Scottish Government published their joint High Level Objectives for the UK marine area - Our seas – a shared resource: High Level Marine Objectives (PDF 815KB). This followed a consultation carried out in 2008

The High Level Marine Objectives take forward the UK vision for the marine environment of “clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas.”
They set out the outcomes that all UK Administrations are seeking to achieve in the UK marine area, as well as providing a vision of what success will look like.
They will steer the development of policies to achieve sustainable development in the marine area and, more widely, will help inform and educate the public, business and voluntary sectors
They will be used to underpin the development the joint Marine Policy Statement, which is provided for in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill
UK Administrations will be working together to develop the Marine Policy Statement, which is expected to be completed in 2011

Developing Scenarios for a Network of Marine Protected Areas

Denis Walker — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:00:18 +0000

This 2006 report by Professor Michel Kaiser of the University of Wales, Bangor, looks at how the marine reserves in the Marine Bill could be designed.

Developing Scenarios for a Network of Marine Protected Areas

Minister in Deep water

Denis Walker — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:33:39 +0000

Parliamentary Under-Secretary at DEFRA, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, today met a select group of marine professionals and activists, including seven MARINET campaign team members and supporters at The Deep in Hull to discuss the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which is currently before Parliament.

He outlined DEFRA’s view of the bill and fielded a wide range of questions, which he declared “was good practice for future encounters with Parliamentarians.”

A full transcription of the meeting is now available.