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Marine Policy

Marine Policy. ..or the black art of converting politicians into custodians of the environment Steve Hall November 2008 sph@noc.soton.ac.uk National Marine Coordination Office, NOCS. Why call it Earth, when it’s clearly Ocean? (Arthur C Clarke).

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Marine Policy

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  1. Marine Policy ..or the black art of converting politicians into custodians of the environment Steve Hall November 2008 sph@noc.soton.ac.uk National Marine Coordination Office, NOCS

  2. Why call it Earth, when it’s clearly Ocean? (Arthur C Clarke)

  3. If you gathered all of the waters, from oceans, rivers, clouds, ice - and gathered them into a ball, it would be the size of the blue sphere over Europe shown below..

  4. Science Paper: Ocean drilling, Damon Teagle Heiko Palike Arctic Palaeoceanography Swire Foundation Ocean monitoring. David Hydes Atlantic Overturning Circulation Harry Bryden, Stuart Cunningham, Hannah Longworth Ocean surface fluxes & Saharan dust, Eric Achteberg

  5. ….BUT NOTHING CHANGES

  6. The oceans is LOW PRIORITY compared with schools, health, economy. Parliamentary time is in short supply. Change only occurs if pressure is applied. The default is the status quo Most people only experience the marine environment during their summer vacation

  7. What causes policy change? • Emergencies • Voter pressure • Treaty obligations • Lobbying • Incentives • New knowledge • Embarrassment • Commercial advantage • Genuine concern from individual politicians

  8. Changing the chemistry of the atmosphere and ocean

  9. The ‘great ocean conveyor belt’

  10. Acidification of the Oceans

  11. Climate Refugees?

  12. Ice-free Arctic ocean by 2070

  13. European Maine Framework Strategy Directive • This is becoming the PRIMARY DRIVER for targets and objectives. • Defra and Scottish Govt agree that ALL of the overarching policies come from MFSD • See http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/marine/index_en.htm • It’s only 23 pages – worth a read • Applies to all waters claimed by EU Member States • Sub-regions are NE Atlantic, Baltic, Med and Black sea – very similar to existing OSPAR boundaries.

  14. MFSD contd • Seeks to protect, preserve and where possible restore biodiversity by 2020 • Will deliver the environmental pillar of the future Maritime Policy • Member States must take measures to achieve Good Environmental Status by 2020 (nb ‘take measures’ not the same as ‘achieve’) • Overlaps with Water Framework Directive but more holistic and recognises role of Marine Protected Areas

  15. Policy development “Marine and maritime science has a huge role to play in the formulation of the measures that will contribute to increased competitiveness and sustainable economic growth and jobs in the European knowledge-based economy.” Commissioner Joe Borg Fisheries and Maritime Affairs EurOCEAN 2007, Aberdeen

  16. A dynamic maritime economy in harmony with the marine environment, supported by sound marine scientific research and technology The oceans and seas bound Europe, but they also bind it together. José Manuel Barroso, EU President

  17. Chronology of Events 2006 EU Parliament 2005 Brussels 2004 Galway 2004 From Green to Blue Blue Book & Action Plan Oct 2007 Brussels 2007 Aberdeen 2007 Bremen 2007

  18. EU Green Paper on Maritime Policy

  19. The importance of Marine Objectives • Objectives linked to sustainable development help keep everyone on the same track • Businesses welcome consistent guidelines • There still isn’t much clarity as to what the UK’s marine objectives actually are – what exactly does ‘good environmental status’ mean? • No good just sustaining present status, aim must be to restore and recover – but without becoming ‘wildlife gardens’ – the sea has a tremendous capacity for self-repair.

  20. Coordinated input to Government consultations

  21. Proposed functions for a Marine Agency

  22. The Planning Bill – an example of un-joined-up Government • Requires National Policy Statements • Established an Infrastructure Planning Committee to oversee major new projects such as nuclear power stations, motorways – and offshore renewable energy installations >100 MW • But NOT connected so far with the Marine Bill or Marine Management Organisation

  23. MSP - Current Use of the Irish Sea • Landuse • Tourism • Oil &Gas • Mariculture • Coastal Defence • Ports & Navigation • Military Activities • Culture • Conservation • Dredging & Disposal • Fishing • Renewable Energy • Marine Recreation • Mineral Extraction • Submarine Cables

  24. The end • For more info contact me: • Steve Hall sph@noc.soton.ac.uk • www.noc.soton.ac.uk/nmco

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