Thank you to everyone who has contacted me recently about marine protection and fishing.
I believe that sustainability should be at the heart of the UK’s approach to fisheries management.
I am glad that the Government welcomes the broad principles set out in the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, and am proud that the UK already implements many of the policies it mentions. There is considerable merit in the Charter’s wider objective of improving transparency and accountability in global fisheries governance and management.
I am pleased that the Marine Management Organisation has introduced new by-laws that mean around 60% of marine protected areas in the UK are protected from the use of damaging fishing gear. We must understand and act on the negative impacts of bottom trawling in our sensitive habitats.
I support the Government’s aims for 48% of marine protected species and habitats to reach a healthy state by 2028, with the rest in recovery.
I agree with the Government’s approach to fisheries management. It is vital that through negotiations with other coastal states, that catch limits are set sustainably and are consistent with the best scientific advice.
More broadly, I believe it is important we make progress and work with the international community to protect our marine environment.
I understand that that the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, are presently working on a timeline to introduce legislation that will mean the UK can ratify the Global Oceans Treaty. The Global Oceans Treaty is a biodiversity pact, agreed at the UN, which aims to conserve and ensure the sustainable use of ocean biodiversity.
I also welcome the recent agreement across the Commonwealth to back global efforts to protect at least 30% of the planet’s oceans by 2030.
