Marine biodiversity: news archive
Offshore Marine Conservation Regulations
The Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations have been laid before Parliament. The Regulations are being made at the same time as The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.|) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. Both came into force on 21 August 2007. For more information see the Offshore Marine Conservation Regulations page, the European Union Birds and Habitats Directive page and our latest press release.
Team of European scientists explore the deep underwater canyons at the edge of the continental shelf. [Further information]
Marine Landscapes map available
A map of our UK seas showing the variety of 'marine landscapes' found is now available via the JNCC website. Marine landscapes reflect the equivalent of mountains, valleys and plains of the marine environment, together with major habitat types, and are helping to inform our understanding of sedbed variability. More information can be found on the JNCC website at www.jncc.gov.uk/UKSeaMap
Marine Biodiversity Policy Stakeholders Meeting
Marine
Biodiversity Policy Stakeholders Meeting presentation (Note:
Large file size 1.25 MB)
In October 2006 the Defra Marine Biodiversity Policy Team held a
stakeholder meeting to update interested stakeholders on the current
activities being carried out by the team on marine nature conservation
provisions being considered within the Marine
Bill and progress towards
implementation of the Natura 2000 site series in the marine environment.
Attendees included representatives from other Government Departments,
conservation agencies, industry, and NGOs. Defra propose to run a
second meeting in Spring 2007 to further update stakeholders. Details
of this event will be made available on the internet and via email
early 2007
Safeguarding sea life
On 8 December 2005 the four administrations within the UK published “Safeguarding Sea Life” the joint UK response to the Review of Marine Nature Conservation.
- Safeguarding Sea Life: the joint
UK response to the Review of Marine Nature Conservation
(478
KB)
The response sets out our shared policies for marine biodiversity in the context of our shared approach to sustainable development. Our focus is on the conservation of marine ecosystems alongside thriving marine industries and the communities that rely on them.
The response is in two parts, the first setting out our broad policies and the second setting out what this means in relation to each of the review's key recommendations. The four administrations are already carrying out much of the work recommended in the review.
The first section of the response:
- Confirms our commitment to working towards our vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse oceans and seas
- Recognises that government needs to manage human activities in the marine area based on a better understanding of marine ecosystems and their environmental limits
- Affirms our commitment to developing networks of marine protected areas to conserve marine biodiversity
- Sets out new strategic goals for marine nature conservation
- Outlines a new holistic approach to meeting these, based on the development of marine ecosystem objectives
- Describes how the four administrations will use wider marine management regimes, including spatial planning, to help meet our objectives.
Some of these policies may need legislative underpinning in the UK Marine Bill.
A Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment was commissioned by Defra to consider the costs and benefits associated with the policies set out in the joint response.
Background report
The Review of Marine Nature Conservation published its report to Government on 26 July 2004 detailing its investigation and recommendations for improving protection for marine habitats and species in the UK maritime area.
- RMNC Report to Government - Summary (400
KB)
- RMNC Report to Government - Full report (2
MB - note large file size)
Copies of the response, the Working Group report to Government and the summary of that report are available from:
Defra Publications
Admail 6000
London SW1A 2XX
Tel: 08459 556000
Email: defra@iforcegroup.com
Please quote PB 11298 (response) PB 9714 (full report) or PB 9714a (report summary).
Links
- Irish sea pilot scheme
- Scottish sustainable marine environment initiative
- English nature research reports
See also:
The documents are available as downloadable Adobe Acrobat files. The advice
on our Help page should be consulted before trying
to open or read large Adobe Acrobat documents.
Page last modified:17 July 2007