Marine Environment
Background
The marine environment is biologically diverse and provides a range of ecosystem services, (the benefits which humans receive from nature) such as food, tourism and energy. Fisheries policy and practice is becoming an increasingly prominent issue in the public domain.
This year the European Commission is carrying out a major reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), with the new policy entering into force in 2013. The new policy will aim to ensure the health of marine ecosystems and the maintenance of healthy fish stocks into the future.
The UK Government passed the Marine and Coastal Access Act in November 2009 to improve the management of UK seas. The BES is heavily involved in influencing marine policy and played a major role in providing expert advice to Parliament on relevant areas of the legislation.
BES activities
- Protecting Welsh Seas
Consultation Response to the Welsh Assembly Government: December 2009 - The Scientific Case for Designating Highly Protected Marine Reserves
Letter to Minister: October 2009 - A Strategy for Marine Protected Areas, Delivering Marine Conservation Zones and European Marine Sites
Consultation Response to Defra: July 2009 - Proposed Amendments to the Marine Bill
Letter to Minister and Members of the Marine Bill Committee: June 2009 - Draft Marine Bill
Consultation Response to Defra: June 2008 - Marine Bill White Paper
Consultation Response to Defra: June 2007 - BES Marine Policy Advisory Group
- The Marine Bill
Consultation Response to Defra: June 2006
