Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Sixth Report - Protecting Marine Mammals in the UK and Abroad
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 697
Published 28 June 2023
Recommendations
1
Acknowledged
Prioritise marine mammal protection using the precautionary principle and research marine mammal diseases.
Recommendation
Species-level assessments can sometimes mask profound issues with specific populations or communities of marine mammals; for example, it is thought that the last remaining coastal community of killer whales in the UK will disappear within our lifetimes. It is also …
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Government Response Summary
The government agreed with the importance of applying the precautionary principle and prioritising marine mammal protection, noting that policymakers will consider its application ahead of the legal duty coming into force. However, the response did not address the recommendation for further research into marine mammal diseases.
3
Rejected
Launch new initiative with ring-fenced funding for marine mammal monitoring technology development
Recommendation
We believe investment in new technological solutions is the most effective way of upscaling marine mammal monitoring and filling the data gaps which currently hamper policy responses in this area. Among the most promising technologies are passive acoustic monitoring and …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation for a new initiative with ring-fenced funding for marine mammal monitoring technology, stating that significant investment is already in place through existing programmes like the £40m mNCEA. They outlined ongoing work in technology innovation and data collection, indicating a further fund is not considered necessary.
4
Not Addressed
Para 35
Add seals to Wildlife and Countryside Act Schedule 5; close cetacean product transit loophole
Recommendation
The current UK legal framework around the protection of marine mammals is incoherent and not sufficient to effectively preserve these precious species. UK measures are in stark contrast to best practice exemplified internationally by the 1972 Protecting Marine Mammals in …
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Government Response Summary
The government defers the decision on adding seals to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, stating it is still considering the submission. It highlights existing awareness campaigns and the publication of a marine wildlife code but does not address the recommendation to explore ways to close the cetacean product transit loophole or provide an assessment.
5
Rejected
Para 36
Bring in bespoke primary legislation for comprehensive marine mammal protection next Parliament
Recommendation
We further recommend that the Government should bring in bespoke primary legislation on marine mammal protection over the course of the next Parliament.
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation to introduce bespoke primary legislation for marine mammal protection, citing the extent of existing legislation and international conventions, and an unlikelihood of securing legislative time.
6
Deferred
Para 40
Publish Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy with SMART targets covering all 12 UK species
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 SMART targets, expanded coverage, and a January 2024 publication deadline.
7
Deferred
Publish ambitious timetable for HPMAs designation and outline monitoring strategy by end of 2023
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 end-of-2023 timeline for the strategy and not providing an ambitious timetable for designation.
8
Deferred
Para 47
Introduce phased mandatory bycatch monitoring for vessels; publish action plan by December 2023
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 to the recommended action plan or implementation.
9
Rejected
Produce UK-wide action plan with SMART targets to significantly reduce marine mammal bycatch
Recommendation
Accidental bycatch in fishing gear is the biggest single threat to marine mammals and has been described as “one of the grossest abuses of wild animal sensibility in the modern world”. While the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative and Clean Catch programmes …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation for a UK-wide action plan with SMART targets to reduce bycatch, stating that each fisheries policy authority is responsible for setting its own targets. They committed to developing an England-specific work plan in 2024 to detail actions for reducing bycatch, building on existing initiatives.
10
Rejected
Para 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 …
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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.
11
Rejected
Refuse new trade deals lacking specific marine mammal conservation commitments
Recommendation
We strongly support greater integration of environmental considerations including animal welfare in free trade agreements and feel much more can be done in this regard than at present. We are pleased to hear that there are ongoing discussions between the …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation that new trade deals must include a specific commitment to marine mammal conservation, stating that all trade deals are tailored and reflect a wide range of policy priorities. They affirmed their commitment to upholding high environmental and animal welfare standards generally.
Conclusions (1)
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 30
Monitoring of marine mammals is difficult and costly. However, without sufficient monitoring data it is not possible to tailor a properly informed policy response to the challenges these animals face. It is therefore vital not only that support for monitoring programmes is increased but also that all opportunities are taken …
Government Response Summary
The government stated that significant investment is already being made in technological solutions for marine mammal monitoring through existing programmes like Defra’s £40m marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment. They detailed ongoing efforts to increase monitoring frequency, expand bycatch mitigation, and develop innovative technologies, concluding that a further fund is unnecessary.