The European Commission and European Parliament has today published Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Framework for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) This long-anticipated Directive has been developed as part of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy, which aims to support sustainable development of the marine environment, to develop coordinated and […]
Marine Scotland has published its first Marine Litter Strategy. Its main purpose is to develop methods to ensure clean, safe, tidy, diverse and productive coastal and marine environments in the future. The strategy underpins developments in marine legislation through the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 in promoting sustainable use of the environment to enhance ecological, economic and […]
The Severn Estuary Partnership has issued its August 2014 e-newletter. The contents of the e-newletter includes Partnership news – highlighting the work carried out in August- and Estuary News, including articles on assessing noise impacts on marine mammals, the Wales Coastal Footpath, the arrival of tall ships in Gloucester for Hollywood filming, dredging of the Rivers Parrett and […]
On the 24th July 2014 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were designated in accordance with the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (for the Scottish inshore MPAs) and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (for the offshore MPAs). 17 of the MPAs, recommended by Scottish Natural Heritage, have been designated in Scotland’s territorial (inshore) waters, and a further 13, recommended […]
Two consultations are currently open on aspects of bringing the Offshore Safety Directive (OSD) 2013/30/EU into UK law. Both consultations close on 21st September 2014. The OSD, which applies to offshore waters out to the limit of UK jurisdiction, aims to reduce the potential for major accidents offshore and improve safety standards. When an incident […]
The Welsh Government is currently seeking views on the draft Vision and Objectives for the Welsh National Marine Plan and its proposed structure. A full formal consultation on the completed draft Welsh National Marine Plan will be held in early 2015. Further information on the consultation and how to respond to it can be found […]
A consultation on monitoring proposals for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive took place earlier this year. The Government has now published a summary of the comments with their responses. In addition the ‘UK Marine Strategy Part Two: UK Marine Monitoring Programmes’ has now been finalised and published. There will be a further consultation covering proposals for the UK Programme of Measures […]
The Solway Firth Partnership has issued their spring/summer 2014 newsletter which can be viewed following the link below. The contents of the newsletter includes the work of Solway Coast AONB Community Volunteer Group, the Coast Project – what the tide’s brought in, invasion of non-native species in Solway, food sources around Solway coast, exploring Sabellaria […]
The European Environment Agency has released its quarterly newsletter for June 2014 which can be accessed following the link below. The contents of the newsletter includes EU policies delivering greenhouse gas emission reductions, Interview with Birgit Georgi about impacts of climate change on European cities, indicators & data updates, EU Report on greenhouse gas emissions, […]
This consultation closes at 1 July 2014 4:00pm The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is consulting on the draft Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) and Motor Fuel (Composition and Content)(Amendment) Regulations 2014 implementing EU Directive 2012/33/EU on the sulphur content of marine fuel. They are seeking views from industry on the Government’s proposals […]