Marine nature reserves announced
Oct 29, 2009 14:36:51 GMT -1
Post by SEAJUNKY on Oct 29, 2009 14:36:51 GMT -1
Marine nature reserves announced
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 10:00
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WESTCOUNTRY waters are set to be home to the first marine nature reserves within three years.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said conservation zones should be created by 2012 as legislation giving better protection for important marine life and habitats cleared the Commons last night.
In addition to providing for the management of the country's coastal waters in the face of competing demands, the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which last night was given an unopposed Third Reading and now returns to the Lords, also opens up the coastline for walkers.
Lib-Dem MP for St Ives Andrew George hailed the Bill as a "phenomenally important piece of legislation" which will make a "very significant contribution to the marine environment".
He also sought to stress play down concerns expressed by fishermen over the creation of protected marine areas.
Mr George told MPs in the Commons: "I think throughout this debate there has been assumption that there's a conflict in the marine zone – that fisherman are always in conflict with marine conservationists.
"I have to say over the last decade or so, what we have seen is increasingly the fishing sector recognising there's a lot more common ground than there has been in the past.
"Consensus I believe is the way forward. A lot of fisherman now certainly recognising that they must work together with others with an interest in the marine environment in order to achieve a sustainable fishing industry, and increasingly over time that's being achieved."
Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton Linda Gilroy Linda Gilroy felt it struck the right balance. "Everybody will want to make this globally groundbreaking framework work," she said.
Shadow Environment Secretary Nick Herbert hailed the Bill as a step in the right direction in achieving the goal of "healthy, sustainably managed" seas.
But he said the changes needed to go "hand-in-hand with fundamental reform" of the Common Fisheries Policy.
The Government also had to defend itself against charges of trying to water down its role in ensuring the sustainable use of the UK's seas. The Bill charges the authorities with "furthering" the achievement of sustainable development.
But ministers came under fire from MPs on both sides of the House for attempting to change the commitment to "contributing to" sustainability.
Shadow environment minister Richard Benyon said the Government had given "mixed messages" on its commitment.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 10:00
Comment on this story
WESTCOUNTRY waters are set to be home to the first marine nature reserves within three years.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said conservation zones should be created by 2012 as legislation giving better protection for important marine life and habitats cleared the Commons last night.
In addition to providing for the management of the country's coastal waters in the face of competing demands, the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which last night was given an unopposed Third Reading and now returns to the Lords, also opens up the coastline for walkers.
Lib-Dem MP for St Ives Andrew George hailed the Bill as a "phenomenally important piece of legislation" which will make a "very significant contribution to the marine environment".
He also sought to stress play down concerns expressed by fishermen over the creation of protected marine areas.
Mr George told MPs in the Commons: "I think throughout this debate there has been assumption that there's a conflict in the marine zone – that fisherman are always in conflict with marine conservationists.
"I have to say over the last decade or so, what we have seen is increasingly the fishing sector recognising there's a lot more common ground than there has been in the past.
"Consensus I believe is the way forward. A lot of fisherman now certainly recognising that they must work together with others with an interest in the marine environment in order to achieve a sustainable fishing industry, and increasingly over time that's being achieved."
Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton Linda Gilroy Linda Gilroy felt it struck the right balance. "Everybody will want to make this globally groundbreaking framework work," she said.
Shadow Environment Secretary Nick Herbert hailed the Bill as a step in the right direction in achieving the goal of "healthy, sustainably managed" seas.
But he said the changes needed to go "hand-in-hand with fundamental reform" of the Common Fisheries Policy.
The Government also had to defend itself against charges of trying to water down its role in ensuring the sustainable use of the UK's seas. The Bill charges the authorities with "furthering" the achievement of sustainable development.
But ministers came under fire from MPs on both sides of the House for attempting to change the commitment to "contributing to" sustainability.
Shadow environment minister Richard Benyon said the Government had given "mixed messages" on its commitment.