Marine environment
Seventy percent of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans and seas and more than half the world's population lives within 60km of the coast.
We are reliant on our oceans and seas for many things, although most importantly for food, exploitable energy sources (wind power, oil and gas, etc) and tourism revenue.
It is easy to see, therefore, how our health and the health of our planet depends in no small part on the condition of our oceans and seas.
Our vision
Our vision is one of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. If we are to reach this goal we must address such issues as the overexploitation of commercial fish stocks, the release of pollutants and the degradation of ecosystems through human activities, climate change and invasive species.
How will we achieve this?
Defra plays an important role in co-ordinating marine environment policy both domestically and internationally. Our Marine research programme has a budget of around £5 million which covers work on our coast, estuaries and seas.
Important work funded by Defra's marine R&D programme includes:
- Environmental impacts of human activities such as dredging, aggregate extraction and windfarms
- Response to accidental marine pollution
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Effect of endocrine disrupters on the marine environment.
- Environmental processes and pathways
- Monitoring and assessment of our seas
- Understanding the link between pollution and fish disease.
On 8 December 2004 Tony Blair and Margaret Beckett launched Defra's Five Year Strategy which included plans for a new Marine Bill which would ensure greater protection of marine resources, and simplify regulation so that all uses of the sea can develop sustainably and harmoniously.
In January 2005 Elliot Morley delivered a keynote speech at the Coastal Futures conference outlining the possible issues to be covered by, and potential benefits of, this new marine legislation.
For further details of our work in the UK arena and information about the main threats to the seas around the UK please see our UK issues pages.
The way forward
Safeguarding Our Seas committed the UK to an ecosystem approach to the management of the marine environment. The report Charting Progress concluded that current monitoring programmes were insufficient for this purpose. An exercise is currently underway to look at ways in which the strategy for marine monitoring within the UK might be re-shaped:
Licensing
Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007
The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 transpose the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, as last amended by the Public Participation Directive, for various marine works regulated under existing legislation. They were publicly consulted on between 15 December 2006 and 16 March 2007, and a consultation summary has now been published.
The Regulations will commence on 24 June 2007, and can be viewed at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20071518.htm. An Explanatory Memorandum, which includes a full Regulatory Impact Assessment, can be viewed at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/em2007/uksiem_20071518_en.pdf.
Increase to disposal licence charges under Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 Part ll
Following a public consultation which started on 8 February 2006 (with a further clarification being issued on 7 April 2006), Defra will be increasing licence charges for maintenance as well as capital disposal licences from 24 July 2006.
- Letter announcing increased fees for licences - 14 July 2006
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Marine Consents and Environment Unit
Marine works, including construction, sea defences, dredging, disposal of wastes and the extraction and placement of materials at sea, including the burial of human remains, are subject to statutory control. The Marine Consents and Environment Unit is a Defra Unit that also works on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales providing detailed information about the regulatory regime and how to make an application. For more information see:
Scylla
In 2003 the MCEU issued a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act for the placement of the ex Royal Navy Frigate HMS Scylla on the sea bed at Whitsand Bay, Cornwall as a recreational facility for divers.
- MCEU licence issued for placement of HMS Scylla on seabed at Whitsand Bay, Cornwall (link to MFA website)
Current research
Further details on our current and completed research projects can be found by visiting the Science and Research Projects page.
Details of current projects available for tender can be found on our research page.
International issues
Defra's work is not just limited to UK waters. We also co-ordinate work for the North Sea Conference and the OSPAR Commission as well as contributing towards other relevant conventions and agreements.
Further details on our contributions to the international problems facing the marine environment can be found on our international issues pages.
Related information
For related information please see:
See also our links and contacts pages.
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Page last modified: 28 November 2007
Page published: 17 June 2003