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] Registered Charity in England & Wales No. 1145877 (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 conservation should go hand-in-hand with our ocean This is an unprecedented time for the ocean. There is a heritage and its fundamental role in our society, but strong scientific evidence base for the urgent need to act this report suggests there is room for improvement. now to protect and restore the ocean. Public awareness Nationally, the UK government is committed to achieve and attention on the ocean has never been higher, with clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse a growing recognition that everyone’s actions can impact oceans and seas. Internationally, the UK government – the ocean, but there is a growing portfolio of solutions with 192 other countries – has signed up to deliver the and optimism too. Brexit offers both an opportunity and Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, of which Goal a threat for ocean conservation, so this is a vital time for 14 is specifically targeted to ‘conserve and sustainably use MPs to navigate through this critical stage of the UK’s the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable political history in a way that continues to deliver our ocean development’. The UK is also a signatory to other key ocean commitments and a bright future for our blue island nation. policy commitments, from the Convention on Biological Diversity to The Paris Agreement, and delivering these Dr Heather Koldewey requires a high level of engagement and ambition from UK Parliament, across all parties. Head of Marine and Freshwater, Zoological Society of London. The report shows that there are some key areas of political Honorary Associate Professor, University of engagement, notably around marine protection and ocean Exeter Penryn Campus. plastic pollution. The commitment to deliver a ‘Blue Belt’ National Geographic Fellow. has resulted in some of the largest marine protected areas Surfers Against Sewage Trustee. 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 Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) established the Protect awareness and attention. The “Blue Planet” effect has Our Waves All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in 2014 meant a large proportion of the population is now conscious The group currently comprises 26 cross-party Members of the threats and impacts on our ocean and coastlines. of Parliament (MPs). As the only marine conservation Plastic pollution, water quality, climate change, marine focused APPG, it leads a discussion on ocean conservation protected areas and fisheries are key issues that must between MPs, NGOs and the wider public. be addressed to protect and enhance our blue spaces. All levels of society have a part to play. From grassroot SAS has published this report, the first Ocean Conservation environmentalists to governments, there are steps every Register of its kind, to facilitate dialogue between individual and every organisation can take. Parliament and those working in the ocean sector. The Register outlines key marine conservation issues and the Parliament exists to make laws, discuss issues and look interest of MPs in them based on MPs’ work since the at how our taxes are spent to help govern the country. 2017 general election. It serves as a guide to the 430 MPs Our elected representatives have a crucial role to play in who have expressed an interest in these issues, identified protecting our environment and leading people towards through their contributions to debates, support for Early Day more environmentally friendly practices. We have already Motions and external campaigns, as well as comments in seen the effectiveness of parliamentary laws in protecting the media. the ocean, for example through the 5p bag charge, which has prevented over nine million single-use plastic bags The Register also includes information on government and from entering the environment. But, in the wake of Brexit, opposition environmental teams, the various committees now, more than ever, the UK Parliament needs to use established within Parliament to scrutinise decisions on the its powers to prevent further environmental damage and environment, and the Protect Our Waves APPG. It provides ensure we improve our natural world for everyone and brief synopses of the main conservation concerns followed everything to enjoy. by alphabetical lists of MPs who have engaged on them. It then concludes with the contact details of each MP listed in the Register. 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