Marine Legislation Working Group

Chair (Policy): Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts
Vice Chair: Sharon Thomson, RSPB
Secretary: Joanna Butler

The Marine Legislation Working Group works to ensure better protection of marine wildlife and effective management of our seas by seeking the full implementation of the Marine and Coastal Access Act. The group also monitors marine BAP activities and is considering its role in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

QUARTERLY UPDATE: October to December 2009

Link was delighted that a decade of campaigning finally came to fruition this quarter, as on 12 November the Marine and Coastal Access Act reached the statute books. Link has been involved throughout its development, positively influencing the legislation right from the very initial stages through to the passage of the Bill through Parliament.  As a result, we now have a very good Act on the statute books. The next big challenge is to ensure that the new measures are brought swiftly and effectively into force. Link will therefore now be turning its focus to the implementation of the Act.

To celebrate the Act and to highlight the importance of its implementation, Link held a very successful event at the London Aquarium on 2 December. The event, which was attended by a range of key stakeholders, was also used to launch Link’s ‘Vision for the Future of our Seas’. We were delighted that Kate Humble, BBC presenter of the Springwatch and Autumnwatch series, and Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, attended and said a few words.

Marine Task Force (MTF) members attended a number of workshops and events during this quarter, including a Defra workshop on the UK Marine Science Strategy and a Marine Strategy Framework Directive conference. A presentation on the protection of marine habitats and wildlife was also given on behalf of Link at the Environmental Law Foundation’s ‘Access to Justice for Nature’ event.

We are pleased to announce that Joan Edwards (TWT) and Sharon Thompson (RSPB) have been re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair of the group for 2010. In addition, to reflect its move away from a group that campaigns for marine legislation into a group works to ensure its full implementation, the MTF has now been renamed the Marine Legislation Working Group for 2010.