The Marine Bill White Paper was published on the 15th March 2007 which puts forward proposals for legislative measures that will help deliver the Government’s vision of a ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse oceans and seas’.

Sustainability is the key principle throughout this paper and the main aims are cited as:

• Directing decision-makers and users towards more efficient, sustainable use and protection of our marine resources.
• The change marine licensing regimes.
• To introduce new tools for conservation of marine wildlife.
• Conserving marine ecosystems.
• Setting up a new UK Government Marine Management Organisation to deliver many objectives for the marine area.

This consultation affects the WHOLE of the marine environment, not one species, and therefore affects EVERY ONE OF YOU. It is vital that you relay your thoughts on this paper and this can be done in several ways:
Responses can be sent back to the Development Officer or alternatively via e-mail to marinebillconsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk or by post to

Marine Legislation Division, Defra, Area 2E, 3-8 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HH.

RESPONSES SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY NO LATER THAN 8 JUNE 2007.

To read the consultation in full please click here.

Labels: Consultations