Marine: International issues
Why are we involved?
Negative impacts on the marine environment such as over fishing, dredging and pollution are world-wide problems. No one state can 'ring-fence' its waters so Defra strives towards improving the international protection of seas and coastal waters.
What are we doing?
In order to do address the impacts on the marine environment Defra funds research, monitoring and assessment programmes in the North and South Atlantic, as well as closer to home in the North Sea, Irish Sea and English Channel (see Monitoring and Assessment pages).
How are we doing this?
In order to influence decisions at an international level Defra is involved in a number of important conventions and agreements. These include;
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World Summit on Sustainable Development
Held in Johannesburg in September 2002 this addressed the ever-increasing demands for food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic security. -
The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) (external site)
This initiative addresses the preservation of coral reefs and related ecosystems.
The UK government currently acts as co-host of the ICRI Secretariat in partnership with the Seychelles. -
The OSPAR Convention (The Oslo and Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic)
Entering into full force in 1998 this convention was established to regulate inputs into the sea
Page last modified:
01 March 2005
Page published: 01 March 2005