The Ocean Conservation Register
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Ocean Conservation Register The Ocean Conservation Register “Growing the voice of the ocean in Westminster” www.sas.org.uk 1 The Ocean Conservation Register Published by Surfers Against Sewage June 2018 Surfers Against Sewage, Wheal Kitty Workshops, St. Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0RD www.sas.org.uk Tel: 01872 553001 Email: [email protected] (All information correct as of 25th May 2018) This report is supported by: The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation supports Surfers Against Sewage with an initiative to increase understanding of and influence on politicians’ views on marine conservation issues through the development of The Protect Our Waves All-Party Parliamentary Group. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is an international charitable foundation with cultural, educational, social and scientific interests, based in Lisbon with offices in London and Paris. The purpose of the UK Branch in London is to bring about long-term improvements in wellbeing, particularly for the most vulnerable, by creating connections across boundaries (national borders, communities, disciplines and sectors) which deliver social, cultural and environmental value. www.sas.org.uk 2 The Ocean Conservation Register Foreword As a marine scientist and conservationist, this pollution has resulted in UK Parliament showing ambition documentation of the marine interests of MPs offers and leadership in reducing single use plastics, as one an important insight into the level of engagement of conservation challenge that everyone wants to solve. UK Parliament on ocean issues. A healthy functioning ocean is critical to our health and wellbeing, but there are UK Parliament is in a strong position to implement ocean immense and growing pressures from climate change, conservation policies and actions, informed by good overexploitation, pollution and habitat degradation and loss. science. The UK has an exceptional history of marine We are an island nation defined culturally and economically science with some of the world’s leading research by the ocean and benefiting from the many values that it institutions and scientists across natural, social, economic provides, from our weather, fisheries, shipping, watersports, and technological science. NGOs also play an active role, coastal tourism to our rich and diverse marine life. often providing the important policy interface between Through our UK Overseas Territories we are responsible people, experts and government, as shown by Surfers for 22% of the world’s coral reef area and more penguins Against Sewage’s role in the Protect our Waves All Party than any other nation. Parliamentary Group and the Great British Oceans’ role in supporting delivery of marine protection. Strong political interest and engagement in ocean This is an unprecedented time for the ocean. There is a conservation should go hand-in-hand with our ocean strong scientific evidence base for the urgent need to act heritage and its fundamental role in our society, but now to protect and restore the ocean. Public awareness this report suggests there is room for improvement. and attention on the ocean has never been higher, with Nationally, the UK government is committed to achieve a growing recognition that everyone’s actions can impact clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse the ocean, but there is a growing portfolio of solutions oceans and seas. Internationally, the UK government – and optimism too. Brexit offers both an opportunity and with 192 other countries – has signed up to deliver the a threat for ocean conservation, so this is a vital time for Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, of which Goal MPs to navigate through this critical stage of the UK’s 14 is specifically targeted to ‘conserve and sustainably use political history in a way that continues to deliver our ocean the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable commitments and a bright future for our blue island nation. development’. The UK is also a signatory to other key ocean policy commitments, from the Convention on Biological Dr Heather Koldewey Diversity to The Paris Agreement, and delivering these requires a high level of engagement and ambition from UK Head of Marine and Freshwater, Zoological Parliament, across all parties. Society of London. Honorary Associate Professor, University of The report shows that there are some key areas of political Exeter Penryn Campus. engagement, notably around marine protection and ocean National Geographic Fellow. plastic pollution. The commitment to deliver a ‘Blue Belt’ has resulted in some of the largest marine protected areas in the world in our UK Overseas Territories, including the British Indian Ocean Territory and the Pitcairn Islands. Growing public interest and attention around plastic www.sas.org.uk 3 The Ocean Conservation Register Contents 5 Introduction 6 Environmental Team in Her Majesty’s Government, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition and the other Opposition Parliamentary Teams 6 Government 7 Official opposition and spokespersons 8 Appointed Environmental Committees 9 Protect Our Waves All-Party Parliamentary Group 10 Plastic Pollution 13 Water Quality 14 Climate Change 16 Marine Protected Areas 19 Fisheries 22 Contact Details – Alphabetical by Surname 46 Reference www.sas.org.uk 4 The Ocean Conservation Register Introduction Never has ocean conservation received such extensive This report details the ocean conservation interests of awareness and attention. The “Blue Planet” effect has Members of Parliament (MPs) based on their work since meant a large proportion of the population is now conscious the 2017 general election. It serves as a guide of the 430 of the threats and impacts on our oceans and coastlines. MPs that share interests in ocean conservation issues Plastic pollution, water quality, climate change, marine and their contact details to enable greater opportunity to protected areas and fisheries are key issues that must be connect parliament with those working in the ocean sector. addressed to protect and enhance our blue spaces. All Expressed interest has been gathered through contribution levels of society have a part to play in changing the way to debates, support of Early Day Motions and external of thinking towards protecting our planet, from grassroots campaigns as well as comments through media. environmentalists to governments, there are steps every individual can take. As well as outlining the issues of ocean conservation, the report details the Environmental Teams in Her Majesty’s Parliament exists to make laws, discuss issues and look Government as well as official opposition. The report then at how our taxes are spent to help govern the country. details the various committees established within Our elected representatives have a crucial role to play in Parliament to scrutinise government decisions on protecting our environments and help lead the population the environment. The Protect Our Waves All Party towards more environmentally friendly practices. We have Parliamentary Group is the only ocean conservation already seen the effectiveness of parliamentary laws in focused APPG and leads a discussion in ocean protecting our oceans, for example, the 5p Bag Charge conservation between MPs, NGOs and the wider public; the has prevented over 9 million single-use plastic bags from group comprises 26 cross-party MPs. The report introduces entering our environment. But now, more than ever in each issue of ocean conservation and the reasons the wake of Brexit, the UK Parliament needs to use their for inclusion of MPs, each section then lists the MPs powers to prevent further damage to our environment and alphabetically. Finally, the report concludes with the contact ensure we improve our natural world for everyone and details of each MP with interest in ocean conservation. everything to enjoy. www.sas.org.uk 5 The Ocean Conservation Register Environmental Team in Her Majesty’s Government, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition and the other Opposition Parliamentary Teams Government Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity Secretary of State for Environment, Lord Gardiner of Kimble Food and Rural Affairs Responsibilities include: Rural ambassador and rural The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP affairs, covering rural life opportunities, broadband and mobile, Biosecurity strategy, including endemic and exotic The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the plant and animal disease, invasive alien species and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Kew Gardens, Animal health and welfare, Commercial Specific responsibilities include: projects, Landscape, including national parks, Climate change adaptation, National Pollinator Strategy, All Defra Oversight of EU exit work and the overall policy parliamentary business in the House of Lords. programme, International relations, Emergencies, Departmental administration. Parliamentary Private Secretaries: Minister of State for Agriculture, A Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) is an assistant to a Fisheries and Food Minister. They are selected from backbench MPs to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the minister in the House of Commons. George Eustice MP PPS for Secretary of State for Responsibilities include: Food and farming, including CAP Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – (Common Agricultural Policy), apprenticeships, exports, and bovine TB (tuberculosis) policy, Fisheries, Better regulation, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Science and innovation. Kevin Hollinrake MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment