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.
In this section:
- About Marine Environment
Learn more about our vision for cleaner and healthy seas, how we plan to achieve this, the marine consents and environment unit and licensing.
UK issues
The threats facing the marine environment surrounding the UK are numerous. As an island nation, the seas and the life they contain are an integral part of the UK's national identity.
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Integrated Coastal Zone Management
The marine environment supports a wealth of activities, many of which occur simultaneously. Details on Defra's work into the integrated management of activities within the coastal zone can be found here. -
Oil and Chemical Spill response /
dispersants
See Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) website - UK Policy
The evidence resulting from marine science and monitoring is used to generate advise and aid the direction of policy decisions. Reports resulting from this process include the "Seas of Change" Consultation Paper and the Marine Stewardship Report - "Safeguarding Our Seas" can be found here. - Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Learn more about how the UK are working towards meeting the objectives set out in this EU directive.
International issues
Negative impacts on the marine environment such as over fishing, dredging and pollution are world-wide problems. No one state can 'ring-fence' its waters so Defra strives towards improving the international protection of seas and coastal waters.
In order to influence decisions at an international level Defra is involved in a number of important conventions and agreements. These include;
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The International
Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) (external site)
This initiative addresses the preservation of coral reefs and related ecosystems. The UK government currently acts as co-host of the ICRI Secretariat in partnership with the Seychelles. -
The OSPAR
Convention (The Oslo and Paris Convention for the Protection of the
Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic)
Entering into full force in 1998 this convention was established to regulate inputs into the sea. - Carbon
capture and storage in the marine environment
Find out more on the OSPAR considerations of using marine environments as a place for storage of carbon.
Page last modified: 30 October 2008
Page published: 30 October 2008