Ocean Recovery Strategy Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding oceans.

I am assured that the government is fully aware of the need to protect our oceans. Through our COP26 and G7 Presidencies, the UK will showcase global leadership in tackling key pressures facing the ocean and will use its influence to advocate for greater action and global collaboration. Ministers also intend to publish an update to the UK Marine Strategy Part 3, outlining the programmes of measures that will continue to move the UK towards Good Environmental Status in its seas.

As you may be aware, at the recent One Planet Summit, the UK accepted the position as Ocean Co-Chair of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People. Between this and the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance, there are now over 60 countries supporting a target to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 as part of the aim for an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework for adoption at the 15^th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

The protection, restoration and management of the marine environment is central to objectives in the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. Further, it is encouraging that 38% of UK waters are in Marine Protected Areas and Ministers are focused on ensuring these are effectively protected. Ministers have also stated their intention to pilot Highly Protected Marine Areas in Secretary of State waters, and I look forward to reading the government’s response to Richard Benyon’s review on this issue in due course.

Together with Vanuatu, the government is driving forward ambitious action to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, a growing group of 34 Commonwealth member states. The government has also committed up to £70m to tackle plastic pollution, helping developing countries to prevent plastic waste entering the ocean, and has committed to start negotiations on a new global agreement on marine plastic litter and microplastics.

Further, Ministers have committed to establishing a new £500m Blue Planet Fund, to help developing countries protect the ocean from key human-generated threats, including pollution.

I particularly pleased to see the high interest in this campaign as I am the Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ocean Conservation and it is an issue close to my heart.

The Ocean Conservation APPG brings together politicians, peers, charities, experts, academics, business leaders and other key stakeholders into a participatory space where expertise, ideas and networking converge to help better protect the marine environment.

The group aims to examine a broad range of issues, including:

Water Quality – Water is essential for all life on our planet and pollution of our rivers and oceans has a huge detrimental impact upon us and wildlife. The laws that have cleaned up UK waters were made in Europe so as we prepare to leave the EU, we must ensure we keep our coastline clean and safe for everyone to enjoy through strong and progressive legislation that at least matches that of the European Union.

Plastic Pollution – Plastic pollution is one of the biggest issues facing our marine environment. Our oceans are at choking point. Its critical we all play our part in tackling this issue with governments putting in place strong legislation, businesses reducing and redesigning products and packaging, and individuals taking responsibility for their purchasing. Policies to stem the flow of plastic at source are in existence, we just need to implement them.

Global Heating – The Earth is warming at an alarming rate. Increasing ocean temperatures affect all marine life, causing coral bleaching and the loss of breeding grounds for fish and mammals. They also affect the things we rely on from the ocean – threatening fish stocks, causing more extreme weather and accelerating coastal erosion.

Marine Protected Areas – Overfishing has had a devastating impact on the biodiversity of our oceans. The consequences are far-reaching for the future of the food we eat and, because healthy oceans absorb half the CO2 we produce, for the stability of the climate.

This platform enables the collaborative development of policy drivers and legislative change to better protect our marine environment.

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk