Recommendations & Conclusions
3 items
6
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Protecting Marine Mammal…
Deferred
We are disappointed that, two years on from the consultation, there is still no final version of the Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy. We recommend that Defra works closely with the Scottish Government to ensure that SMART targets be included in the final strategy for each species covered, on which …
Government response. The government acknowledged the recommendation for a Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy but stated that sufficient time is needed to fully consider specific targets and species. They hope to publish the strategy in 2024, deferring the committee's specific requests for …
7
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Protecting Marine Mammal…
Deferred
We believe HPMAs are an important tool in marine mammal conservation which can play a key role in ensuring sustainable marine ecosystems. We support the rollout of the three HMPAs due to be formally designated by July 2023 and wish to see others follow. It is vitally important that their …
Government response. The government acknowledged the commitment to considering further Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) and initiating baseline surveys. While an existing compliance strategy is in place, a tailored HPMA enforcement strategy will be developed by spring 2024, deferring the committee's requested …
8
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Protecting Marine Mammal…
Deferred
Current levels of bycatch monitoring are insufficient to gain an accurate picture of the numbers of marine mammals killed or injured in this way, despite the requirement for vessels to report marine mammal bycatch. While we heard suggestions that mandatory remote electronic monitoring (REM) should be introduced, we are mindful …
Government response. The government acknowledges the potential benefits of mandatory bycatch monitoring and notes it has recently consulted on remote electronic monitoring. It is currently considering the responses to this consultation and will respond formally in due course, thus deferring any commitment …