We provide below the full text of this submission or download as a PDF.

The UK government is claiming that of the 127 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) currently submitted to the Minister by his statutory advisors for designation only 31 are presently fit for purpose – and that further scientific evidence is still required for the official designation of the remaining 96 recommended MCZ sites.

A report recommending that “fish stock recovery areas” covering between 10-20% of territorial seas of EU Member States be established.

An in-depth illustrated guide to the various types of marine animals to be found in British seas.

We provide here a copy of our publication The Ocean Planet — In this publication we review the serious challenges which our seas and oceans now face, and we outline proposals for fundamental changes in marine management to solve this crisis.

Providing the latest scientific information about no-take marine reserves, reporting peer-reviewed research from throughout Europe and globally.

European Scientists’ Consensus Statement on Marine Reserves, launched and led by Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at York University, has been drafted in an effort to bring together the European community of marine scientists in affirming the need for marine reserves and express our profound concern over the lack of progress in implementing marine [...]

A well worded response to the Outer Thames pSPA consultation by Fisherman Chris Wightman acting on behalf of the Anglian Fishermen’s Association.

Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has announced a new suite of offshore marine SACsSpecial Areas of Conservation and two new marine SPAsSpecial Protection Areas (SPAs) are strictly protected sites classified in accordance with Article 4 of the EC Birds Directive, which came into force in April 1979. They are classified for rare and vulnerable birds (as listed on Annex I of the Directive), and for regularly occurring migratory species. to be adopted, following public consultation, in 2010. These new marine SACsSpecial Areas of Conservation will join the existing marine SACsSpecial Areas of Conservation and form part of the UK’s commitment to contribute to OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic made up of representatives of the Governments of the 15 signatory nations. ’s network of Marine Protected Areas in the NE Atlantic.

A report on the MARINET campaign to try to secure the inclusion of Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMRsHighly Protected Marine Reserves) within the text of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. HPMRsHighly Protected Marine Reserves are regarded by marine experts and scientists worldwide as one of the most important features of the ecosystem-based approach to marine management. However the reality is that whilst the UK Government says that it believes in HPMRsHighly Protected Marine Reserves, it has failed to incorporate them into the 2009 Act. Thus HPMRsHighly Protected Marine Reserves currently have no legal force or standing within UK law. So the MARINET campaign to establish a legal basis for HPMRsHighly Protected Marine Reserves continues.

A country lobby group has said the government could save the public purse tens of millions of pounds by scrapping “unnecessary and unwarranted” proposals for a statutory right of access to the English coast.

It is reported that scallop fishing in Cardigan Bay is to be banned. Most of Cardigan Bay is a Special Area of Conservation (SACSpecial Areas of Conservation) under EU law but, until now, this conservation designation has not prevented scallop dredging which, many argue, inflicts damage upon the marine ecosystem out of all proportion to the value of the scallop fishery.

The Big Issue in the North has published in its 27th July 2009 edition (No. 783) an article about the serious condition of UK Seas and the need for the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill to address these issues.

We provide here the full list of amendments proposed by MARINET to the Government and Opposition Parties in respect of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill at the Report Stage in the House of Lords, May 2009. This includes both the suggested amended text, and the reasoning for these proposed amendments.

A short Marinet Briefing Paper which explains the sovereign powers which the UK Parliament retains which enable it to create Highly Protected Marine Reserves (also known as highly protected Marine Conservation Zones or MCZs) in UK seas out to 200 nautical miles in order to protect and rebuild UK commercial fish stocks.

A short Marinet Briefing Paper on why Highly Protected Marine Reserves (also known as highly protected Marine Conservation Zones or MCZs) should be entered into the text of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, and why a network of such marine reserves should cover at least 30% of UK seas out 200 nautical miles.

A short Marinet Briefing Paper explaining the powers of the UK Parliament to create Highly Protected Marine Reserves.

A short Briefing Paper on why Highly Protected Marine Reserves should be entered into the text of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, and should cover at least 30% of UK seas.

MARINET has outlined proposals to the UK Government for the creation of an ecologically coherent network of highly protected marine reserves which cover at least 30% of UK seas out to 200 nautical miles by 2015. Powers to bring this effect should be contained within the UK Marine Bill.

MARINET is running a national campaign to require the Government to create an extensive network of ecologically coherent “no-take” Highly Protected Marine Reserves in the forthcoming Marine Bill, covering at least 30% of UK seas out to 200 nautical miles. This Briefing explains the need for this extensive network of “no-take” Marine Reserves, and explains how [...]