David Levy – New Year’s Day 2022 Blog : A Message to the Troops – Dec 21
Last year it was very fulfilling to be able to work on the passion that was had by our previous and late Chairman, Pat Gowen, for water quality and discharges to the environment.
Both in action and the written word Marinet has stepped up to the challenge, and we were so close to delivering a far-reaching Amendment to the Environment Act that would have had real teeth.
Once again it was the poor quality of the politicians that reneged on the wishes of the public and delivered a fudge which was not sweet to the taste.
Likewise, COP26 was a massive let-down which only a politician could spin as a success.
Where were all of the NGOs? They were there on the annual beano, but little has come to light from them on working together for a shared goal. The urgency demands that they drop their own self-interest in order to work together on the issues and, more importantly, on the solutions.
That was last year. Now is a fresh opportunity to plan for the current crop of critical situations that we feel we can contribute to.
Firstly, promises were made by Government on cleaning-up the discharge crisis afflicting rivers and the sea and Marinet will monitor what these plans actually prove to be and, where possible, gather the facts on the actuality of what happens around the country.
It would be nice if we can keep the momentum going, along with the same level of support focused on the outcomes of those promises.
Next, we come to the Brexit Fisheries Fiasco.
What remains is a dis-unified small boat (under-ten metres) fisheries industry which has been given a low-sized fishing quota, and therefore no financial muscle to increase their standing in the debate.
French fishermen are allowed to fish in our territorial waters within the UK’s 6 to 12 mile boundaries, whilst France keeps our fishermen outside of the French 12 mile boundary. Our small boat fishermen seem resigned to this unfair practice, so we want to see whether the MPs around our fishing coastline can be brought together to become the voice of these fishery folk, and so lobby for a fair deal. That should mean a greater share of the national quota to help provide for our food security.
It seems to me that rather than sell the UK catch abroad, we should cherish the local contact with our industry and buy from these men and women who can then catch for a local supply.
I believe this is in full agreement with the statement I have made previously that, as a nation, we should prioritise our responsibility for food, energy and homeland security. All MPs should be made to sign up to this commitment.
Finally, I would hope to develop further contact with those responsible for the Montreal Protocol which has eliminated ozone destroying chemicals from the atmosphere worldwide, and to see whether the Protocol provides a template for real opportunities for sound ocean management. We should also connect with the Ecocide movement and its desire to establish a Crime of Ecocide with the UN’s Rome Statute (Vienna Treaty). Once again, I want differing groups to pool ideas and to work together.
So I say to you all: “the times, they are a changing”.
Happy New Year,
David
