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ANNEX B: UK GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES
These draft high level objectives have been developed for the UK by Detra with the Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive. They are included here for your comment by 30 Sept. Box 2.4 on page 35 provides background.
OUR SEAS - A SHARED RESOURCE
In 2002 the UK Government and Devolved Administrations set out their vision for the marine environment of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas.
The UK Government and Devolved Administrations have worked together to set out a number of high level Marine Objectives which articulate the outcomes they are seeking for the UK marine area as a whole, while taking account of their distinctive circumstances and responsibilities. The UK Government, Northern Irish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government would welcome your views on these as a proposed statement of the outcomes that we are seeking in the marine area.
These high level objectives do not replace previously articulated policies or goals, nor does it represent any change in or reprioritisation of government objectives. Earlier statements and policies have had a primary focus on sectoral interests, and were focused on processes the UK Government, Northern Irish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government would use to deliver their Marine vision. The high level objectives within this document reflect the full range of the UK Government, Northern Irish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government's policies in the marine area rather than priorities of any particular Government Department, for example in relation to specific marine uses or marine environment conservation. It is by considering sectoral interests holistically that we hope to achieve sustainability. A reference list of previously made commitments relating to the marine area will be kept available at <web address>. These are the key policies which will drive the particular sectoral and cross-sectoral interests which will need to be integrated.
The articulation of these high level objectives is intended to inform the process of the preparation of integrated marine policy statements by administrations across the UK. These policy statements will prioritise different policies and objectives where required, respecting reserved and devolved functions. They will provide a practical tool for organisations that make decisions in the marine area and therefore a framework for achieving sustainable marine development.
Thus we intend that these objectives will:
- steer Administrations and the wider public sector in their (joint) achievement of sustainable marine development;
- steer, inform and educate the public, business and voluntary sectors in their actions and attitudes;
- inform the UK approach to negotiation and implementation of European and international marine policy; and
- underpin the development of integrated marine policy statements by Administrations which will provide a means to achieve put these objectives in practice.
The objectives are designed to provide a comprehensive set of outcomes which will drive UK Government, Northern Irish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government's marine policies in a coherent and consistent way. This is in line with the integrated approach that Administrations are proposing to take through new legislation. However, whilst Administrations will seek to deliver integrated solutions that meet socio-economic and environmental objectives equally we recognise that individual decisions may have a negative impact on the achievement of some of our objectives - truly sustainable development will require difficult choices.
It is for this reason that we have chosen to set out our high level objectives in sections that reflect the five principles of sustainable development set out in the UK's sustainable development framework. Whilst we will integrate these potentially conflicting objectives in decision making, we have unpacked the individual elements at this stage simply to allow us to identify explicitly and transparently the full range of objectives in the marine area.
What success would look like….
1. In twenty years our marine environment will be very different. We will have achieved our vision of clean, safe, healthy, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas, the "Good Environmental Status" required by the European Marine Strategy Directive and the "Good Ecological Status" required by the European Water Framework Directive. Effective, integrated and strategic management of human activities in the marine environment will result in societies getting more benefit from the use of the marine environment than previously whilst its rich natural and cultural heritage are better protected - we will be achieving sustainable marine development.
2. Climate change will have driven change both in relation to the environment itself and the way in which people use it. Renewable energy developments will be commonplace and Carbon Capture and Storage will be underway. The environmental impacts of using the marine environment will be managed in this context and account will be taken of the changing acidity and temperature that will already be affecting our oceans and seas. We will be responding to this in our actions so that the integrity of marine ecosystems and underwater cultural heritage is conserved.
3. We will be using the sea for a variety of reasons, delivering greater economic and social benefits. However, marine planning means that activities in the marine environment will co-exist and that the impacts
of different activities on each other and on the environment will be properly taken into account and managed consistently. Marine industries as a whole will be contributing to sustainable economic growth. People will respect the marine environment for its own sake, for the resources it delivers, its economic significance and for the role it has played in shaping our culture.
4. Consumers of marine products, for example offshore renewable energy or seafood, will expect these to have been obtained sustainably, and producers will therefore ensure that the environmental and social impacts of their operations are acceptable. Those who use the marine environment will behave responsibly. Underwater noise will be restricted to acceptable levels and litter will be disposed of in ways which do not harm the marine environment. Regulation of the seas will facilitate safe navigation, and management for the coastal zone will support sustainable development and cultural heritage of coastal areas. There will be appropriate protection for and access to our marine historic assets.
5. Our seas will be cleaner and healthier than they are now and they will be ecologically diverse and dynamic. Pollutants, contaminants and toxins will be at sufficiently low levels that they do not significantly affect human or ecosystem health. Ecosystems will be resilient to environmental change so that they deliver the goods and services we need for present and future generations. Representative, rare, vulnerable and valued species and habitats will be protected. Measures will be in place to make sure that there is
no net loss of biodiversity as a result of human activity and that non-indigenous species introduced by humans do not adversely affect the ecosystem. Measures such as an ecologically coherent network of well-managed Marine Protected Areas will help deliver this and in some cases enable ecosystems to recover from previous damage. Fish stocks will be abundant and harvested sustainably, with access to them shared appropriately between commercial and recreational fishermen.
6. In the long term, management of human activities in the marine environment will be such as to secure long term benefits for the whole of society, therefore delivering sustainable marine development.
Our high level objectives are articulated below in the context of the five sustainable development principles. They set out the outcomes sought by the UK Government, Northern Irish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government; our actions and regulatory structure will support the delivery of these outcomes to achieve sustainability. However, everyone has a responsibility to help secure these outcomes.
Achieving a sustainable marine economy
- Long term wealth is generated by the responsible use of the marine environment and its resources.
- Marine businesses are taking long-term strategic decisions and managing risks effectively. They are competitive and operating efficiently.
- Marine businesses are acting in a way which respects environmental limits and is socially responsible. This is rewarded in the marketplace.
- Infrastructure is in place to support and promote safe, profitable and efficient marine businesses.
Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society
- The use of the marine environment is benefiting society as a whole contributing to resilient and cohesive communities.
- The coast, seas, oceans and their resources are safe to use.
- There is equitable access for those who want to use the coast, seas and their wide range of resources and assets.
- People appreciate the value of the marine environment, its natural and cultural heritage and its resources and act responsibly.
- The marine environment plays an important role in mitigating climate change.
- Use of the marine environment will recognise, and integrate with, defence priorities, including the strengthening of international peace and stability and the defence of the United Kingdom and its interests.
Living within environmental limits
- Biodiversity is protected, conserved and recovered where appropriate.
- Our oceans support viable populations of rare, vulnerable, and valued species.
- The loss of biodiversity has been halted.
- Healthy marine habitats occur across their natural range and are able to support strong, biodiverse biological communities and the functioning of healthy, resilient and adaptable marine ecosystems.
Promoting Good Governance
- The use of the marine environment is spatially planned and based on an ecosystems approach which takes account of climate change and recognises the protection needs of individual historic assets.
- Marine and coastal management mechanisms are responsive and work effectively together.
- Marine management in the UK takes account of different management systems that are in place because of administrative or political boundaries.
- Marine businesses are subject to clear, timely, proportionate and plan-led regulation.
- All those who have a stake in the marine environment have an input into associated decision-making.
Using sound science responsibly
- Sound evidence and monitoring underpins effective marine management and policy development.
- The precautionary principle is applied consistently in accordance with Government's sustainable development policy.
- Our understanding of the marine environment continues to develop through new scientific research and data collection.
Delivering these objectives
The approach taken to deliver these high level objectives will vary in different parts of the UK according to national priorities and situations. There is a wide range of existing policies that will contribute to delivering these high level objectives. A reference list of key sectoral commitments will be maintained at <web address>.
The UK Government, Northern Ireland Assembly and Welsh Assembly Government are planning to develop a marine policy statement that will set out their relative priorities for the marine area. This statement will also identify how marine delivery agencies such as the proposed Marine Management Organisation for England and UK Government functions should approach the difficult choices that will need to be made to achieve sustainable marine development.
The Scottish Executive is currently preparing a Scottish Marine Bill. A consultation is planned in Summer 2008 which will include questions on how marine objectives could be developed for Scotland. It is proposed to attach these draft UK High Level Objectives to that consultation paper for stakeholder views on how these may be adapted in a Scottish document.
Monitoring and Reporting on our progress
The UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy sets the framework within which we collaborate in assembling the evidence necessary to monitor progress towards our vision.
Indicators and contributory objectives are being developed within the various UKMMAS groups and will address some aspects of the high level objectives in this paper. They will be a key means of informing us about how we are progressing towards our vision and will give us the evidence necessary to adapt and refine our policies to respond to the changing state of the marine environment.
Glossary of terms used
Ecosystem goods and services
The processes by which the environment produces resources utilised by humans such as clean air, water, food and materials
Marine businesses
Commercial operators using or benefiting from the marine environment in any capacity
Safe
A state which enables people to feel secure and confident in using the coasts, oceans and seas, because associated dangers (such as from pollution or navigation hazards) are eliminated where possible; because people are educated to avoid dangers where they cannot be eliminated; and because systems are in place to help people to overcome dangers if they are encountered.
Role in mitigating climate change
- A part to play in decelerating the process of global climate change by lowering the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere:
- by accommodation of technologies, such as renewable energy installations, which contribute to this aim
- by its continued role in regulating our climate by acting as a natural carbon sink via both biological and physical (ocean circulation) processes.
Viable populations
The population level of a species that ensures it is capable of continued, self-sustained survival.
Ecosystems approach
The ecosystems approach has been defined in various ways, but the core of the approach lies in
integrating and managing the range of demands placed on the natural environment in such a way that it can indefinitely support essential services and provide benefits for all.
Precautionary principle
Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing proportionate and cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.
HM Government in association with Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland
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