Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Rejected
Paragraph: 57
Accelerate protected area management plans; raise marine mammal welfare with hunting nations in talks
Recommendation
We heard a number of examples of the UK being cited as a leader internationally when it comes to marine mammal welfare and conservation. Given that this is an issue which transcends national borders, it is vital that the UK seeks to maximise its soft power in this arena. A key part of this is leading by example. We recommend that the Government accelerates action in relation to protected areas in UK waters, such that all such designated areas, including HPMAs, have proper management plans in place by the end of 2023. We also urge the Government to raise issues of marine mammal welfare with those countries who still engage in hunting, such as Iceland, Norway, Japan and the Faroe Islands, whenever bilateral and/or multilateral talks are taking place, including trade and fisheries negotiations.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the proposed timeline for having proper management plans in place for all protected areas by the end of 2023, committing instead to implementing necessary measures by the end of 2024. The response did not address the recommendation to raise marine mammal welfare issues with whaling countries.
Paragraph Reference:
57
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The government welcomes the suggestion for enhancing action on protected areas in UK waters but does not agree to the Committee’s proposed timeline. Activity within MPAs in English waters is regulated through the planning and marine licensing regimes to avoid damage to protected features where possible. Nearly 60% of MPAs already have byelaws in place to protect sensitive habitats and species from damaging fishing activities alone. The Marine Management Organisation and Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities are committed to delivering our Environmental Improvement Plan commitments, alongside our statutory target to have 70% of MPA protected features in favourable condition by 2042 with the remaining features in recovering condition. The marine commitments and target will be accomplished by assessing the remaining MPAs and, where necessary, implementing management measures by the end of 2024. This will include any necessary measures for highly- mobile species such as harbour porpoise. This timescale will allow the necessary evidence to be gathered and public consultations to take place to ensure affected stakeholders have opportunity to make representations. As noted in the government’s response to recommendation 8, management of the current HPMAs may have limited direct impact for marine mammals but may have indirect positive impacts. Immediately from designation of the first three HPMAs in English waters, all duties under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) came into effect including general duty on public authorities to carry out their functions in the manner that they consider best furthers—or least hinders—the conservation objectives set for the HPMAs, and offences regarding damage to protected features. The MMO opened a formal consultation on specific management measures for fishing activities within the recently designated HPMAs in August 2023 and will work to progress further management measures as necessary for non-licensed activities. Along with site-specific guidance that is already available online from NE and JNCC, many tools are already in place for the effective management of HPMAs, with fisheries byelaws and further guidance documents for public authorities expected to be in place by spring 2024.