Marine Strategy Framework Directive Newsletter published

This edition of the Marine Strategy Framework Newsletter gives an update on:

• The process of determining Good Environmental Status.
• A results of the Feb 11 policy workshop in February.   

Cefas and JNCC are currently leading the development of technical advice on options for UK targets and indicators for Good Environmental Status. This work will then be used by Defra and the Devolved Administrations to develop proposals for UK targets and indicators for GES, which Defra hope to formally consult on during the winter of 2011/2012.
Download the DEFRA newsletter (opens in a new window)

The UK Fishing Industry in 2010: Structure and Activity report available

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published the first edition of a new statistical report:

The UK Fishing Industry in 2010: Structure and Activity (opens in a new window)

. The report includes detailed data about the size and composition of the UK fishing fleet, the number of fishermen and UK fishing activity during 2010. The report will inform and complement government policy and, in conjunction with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) help inform changes to the Common Fisheries Policy. Overall, the statistics reveal that there were 16 per cent fewer vessels in the UK fleet than in 2001, with fishermen numbers falling by around 2,300. The number of days spent at sea by over 10 metre vessels have fallen by 37 per cent over the same period.

Natural England survey reveals England's relationship with the Great Outdoors

Natural England, with support from the Forestry Commission and Defra, has published its second year of findings in the definitive survey of the way we visit and use the outdoors. The Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey has been carried out in weekly "waves" over the last two years with over 46,000 people surveyed. The results show that in 2010/11 approx 2.5 billion visits were made to England's countryside and open spaces, during the course of which visitors generated over £17 billion in expenditure. Over half those surveyed stated that they visit the natural environment at least once a week. More information can be found at Natural England News (opens in a new window)

Climate Change Minister in Scotland announces £20m for marine industry

Money to take marine power devices to the next level of development has been announced by Climate Change Minister Greg Barker on a visit to Pelamis Wave Power at Leith Docks in Edinburgh. The Government have stated that generating energy from the power of waves or tides has the potential to meet 15-20% of the UK's current electricity demand by 2050 as well as helping to reduce emissions to fight climate change.
Up to £20 million from Department of Energy and Climate Change's budget of over £200 million to fund low carbon technologies, announced at the Spending Review, will help progress the development of marine devices from the current large scale prototypes to bigger formations in the sea. More information can be found at

Department of Energy and Climate Change News (opens in a new window)

MPs publish report on Government's plans for future shape of the Coastguard Service

The cross-party Transport Committee has published a report stating that the Government should withdraw its controversial proposals to modernise the Coastguard Service. Serious concerns were raised in the report that the safety of people at sea, on cliffs and beaches will be jeopardised if the proposals proceed in their current form. Ministers must issue revised proposals for further consultation. The committee also strongly condemns the Government's cost-cutting decision to withdraw funding for the four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) stationed around the UK coast. More information and the report can be found at the

Parliament Committee news website (opens in a new window)

Summary of responses for the Defra Consultation on future funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management

This consultation sought views on potential reforms to the way in which capital grant-in-aid is allocated to projects in England in order to manage the risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
The consultation revealed support for moving away from the existing 'all or nothing' system, whereby Government typically funds the full costs of as many projects as it can afford each year. The rationale behind the proposed 'payment for outcomes' approach was generally accepted, whereby Government pays fixed amounts or rates per outcome achieved, such as protecting a household against significant flood risk. Whilst accepting the proposed approach in principle, consultees raised a number of issues regarding how it might be implemented, and what the practical implications might mean for different projects and priorities across the country.
On this basis, Government intends to introduce a revised approach to allocating capital funding to flood and coastal investment projects from April 2012. Download the 

DEFRA - Consultation on future funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management (opens in a new window)

European Fisheries Fund grants working to help reduce fish discards in England

The European Fisheries Fund (EFF), Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are providing over £300,000 towards two projects which aim to help reduce fish discards. The funding, awarded to scientists from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), is being used towards helping fishermen in Cornwall, Cumbria and Lancashire to adapt their fishing equipment and make it more selective.
More information can be found at the

MMO news page (opens in a new window)

Latest edition of Shellfish news available to download

Shellfish News is produced and edited by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).This edition of the newsletter includes numerous articles including an article that looks at where UK aquaculture should double by 2020. Downloaded the  Shellfish News (opens in a new window)

Government announce all fish served in Government departments will come from sustainable sources

All fish served in Government departments and their agencies will come from sustainable sources, through the new Government Buying Standards. The standards also include elements on healthy eating. More information can be found at

DEFRA - Government takes lead in buying sustainable fish (opens in a new window)

Scottish Parliament call to take control of Crown Estate

The Scottish First Minister has stated that Scotland should have control over its seabed to enable it to properly manage and exploit the country's important marine assets for the benefit of its people. A paper - one of six being published to highlight the Scottish Government's proposed enhancements to the Scotland Bill - outlines plans for a phased devolution of the Crown Estate in Scotland.  It focuses on how local communities can benefit from the development of offshore renewables with the creation of a Fund for Future Generations, enabling a share of the substantial anticipated future revenues from offshore energy to be invested for the long-term benefit of the people.
More information can be found at: Scottish Government: Crown Estate - the case for change (opens in a new window)

Marks & Spencer launches Forever Fish campaign

Marks & Spencer, working with the MCS has launched Forever Fish - a major new campaign to help customers and children learn more about fish, having cleaner beaches and protect UK marine life.   The campaign will:
Set-up an education programme, School of Fish, to inspire 400,000 primary school pupils to learn more about protecting the future of fish;

• Encourage as many of M&S' 21 million customers and 78,000 employees as possible to help the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) to clean over 400 British beaches, twice a year;
• Invest over £1 million in WWF projects that help better manage UK fish stocks, such as cod, and protect important species like dolphins and turtles;
• Help customers make healthy and more sustainable choices by promoting more high quality, sustainably-sourced fish and introducing lesser known and more plentiful species such as Dab and Flounder.

More information can be found at Marks and Spencer launches Forever Fish (opens in a new window)

Seafish Damage Control Box wins Safety at Sea International Award

Seafish, the authority on seafood won the training category at the Safety at Sea International Awards 2011 for the Damage Control Kit and accompanying seminar. The Damage Control Box for fishing vessels, including a two hour seminar on how to use the equipment, is currently being delivered to fishermen across the UK. The kits are currently free (one per vessel) thanks to funding from Seafish, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the Shipowners' Insurance Group.
Damage control is the emergency action that may be taken to reduce or limit danger to a vessel from flooding following failure of equipment or structural damage. More information can be found at

Seafish Damage Control Box wins Safety at Sea International Award (opens in a new window)

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Research on Discards ban that 'will boost fisheries'

Scientists at the University of York have carried out research that has shown the banning of fisheries discards in the North Sea will promote fish stock recovery and increase fishermen's incomes.  In the North Sea up to 75 per cent of fish are currently dumped after being caught, with the result that many fisheries are now badly overfished. In comparison, discards were banned in Norwegian waters in the late 1980s and their fisheries are now some of the most prosperous in the world.  More information can be seen here:

University of York Research (opens in a new window)