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Marine

The Group met for the first time on 4^th May 2006.  The primary role of the Group is to prepare RAB’s response to the Defra consultation on the Marine Bill.  Comments are required by 23 June 2006.

The consultation paper identifies 141 questions that Defra is seeking views on.  It was agreed that, rather than answer each question specifically, that RAB should focus on giving, in a relatively short paper, its core, strategic messages, key issues and opinions and clear statements.  If specific industry requirements can be identified then these should also be included.

An outline of the RAB response, based on the discussion held at the meeting, and subsequent discussions, has been drafted.  The key issues are summarised below:

• Identify areas of the consultation relevant to marine renewables and consider alternative responses appropriate.  The key areas are considered to be:
• consenting arrangements for marine renewables
• marine spatial planning and identification of strategic areas for development of marine renewables
• the role of the marine management organisation
• Prepare responses to these areas based on agreement of the marine group and RAB as a whole

Membership
DTI Representative: John Spurgeon
Work Group Leader: Andrew Mill