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Countryside Research Programme
Research Findings
A REVIEW OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STATUTORY REGIMES FOR MARINE NATURE CONSERVATION
Report on a Workshop of Regulators and Statutory Advisers

David Tyldesley and Associates
In Association with
Browne Jacobson Solicitors

December 2000

The aim of this paper is to provide a short appraisal of the above research contract which was recently completed.

Aims and objectives of the workshop

The workshop, held in London on 7th November 2000, was commissioned to obtain views of statutory regulators and advisors as to the effectiveness of statutory regimes for marine nature conservation.

Key points arising from the discussions:

• Specific measures for marine nature conservation are largely ineffective.
• Many controls rely on Environmental Impact Assessment to be effective.
• Key weaknesses include the leaderless multiplicity of regulatory controls and regulators; overlapping jurisdictions and inadequate environmental knowledge.
• Duties imposed on statutory bodies and discretionary powers are of limited effectiveness.
• Controls to protect fish stocks and prevent pollution are quite effective but difficult to enforce.
• Government should have a vision and set objectives for marine nature conservation, supported by policy guidance.
• A new coordinating body may be needed but others felt that more should be done to make existing systems work better.

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Published 1 February 2001

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