Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
2nd Report - Governing the marine environment
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 551
Published 5 June 2025
Government response
4th Special Report - Governing the marine environment: Government Response · published 9 Sep 2025
Recommendations & Conclusions
3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Streamlined, transparent marine governance and stakeholder engagement are crucial for protection commitments.
Conclusion
A more streamlined and transparent approach to marine governance, underpinned by effective stakeholder engagement, is essential for the Government to meet its marine protection commitments and to ensure a balanced approach to managing the economic, social, and environmental demands placed …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating that stakeholder engagement is highly valued and central to policy, with significant current efforts. It commits to reviewing how to further improve engagement with stakeholders to ensure a balanced approach to marine governance.
8
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Confusion surrounds delivery timeline and methods for Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme
Conclusion
Clear and strategic spatial planning direction from the Government is necessary to guide decision-making, minimise conflicts, and ensure that marine space is allocated in a way that supports both environmental recovery and sustainable economic development. The Government’s proposed Marine Spatial …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the Marine Spatial Prioritisation (MSPri) programme's goals and ongoing work, particularly its focus on guiding offshore wind development and improving colocation, but did not clarify the specific timeline or delivery mechanisms that the Committee expressed concern about.
10
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Changes in marine spatial use will displace industries requiring support and planning
Conclusion
It is critical that the use of marine resources is sustainably governed through marine spatial planning and prioritisation. However, changes to the use of marine space will lead to direct consequences, including the displacement or reduction of activities, on certain …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, acknowledging the impacts of changing marine space use on sectors and nature. It references ongoing consultations on the UKMS Part One, stakeholder engagement through SSEP and MSPri, and the recently launched £360 million Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund to support the fishing industry.
16
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Reinstate DEFRA funding for sustained long-term data collection and monitoring at Lyme Bay.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reinstates funding to ensure the long-term data collection and monitoring at Lyme Bay is sustained to enable scientific analysis of the benefits of whole-site approaches for marine protection. …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees the Lyme Bay research is valuable and states Defra is in discussion with Natural England to continue the long-term monitoring of the site, but does not confirm immediate reinstatement of funding or guarantee its sustainment.
25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas' advisory opinion is authoritative and binding on the UK.
Conclusion
Elements of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas’ advisory opinion are authoritative and binding on the UK. (Conclusion, Paragraph 91)
Government Response Summary
The government states it carefully considers the Tribunal’s Opinion and partially agrees with the conclusion, outlining its existing commitments under the Paris Agreement and ongoing actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy.