The UK government is currently developing a Marine Bill, to provide the basis for a more integrated and ultimately sustainable means of managing and protecting the marine environment.
BMAPA welcomes this development. It believes the Bill presents an opportunity to define clear policy objectives for all legitimate marine activities and provide greater certainty for both current and future development. It should also ensure greater consistency in policy, planning, consenting and management of the marine environment. To help inform the development of policy objectives for the marine aggregate sector, BMAPA has commissioned the British Geological Survey to produce a report which examines the strategic importance of the marine aggregate sector to the UK.
Click here to view British Geological Survey report
At present, management and control of the UK marine environment takes place on a sectoral basis. The process is administered by a number of government departments and agencies through a range of controls, only some of which are statutory. This results in an inconsistent and at times confusing approach.
The main driver for legislative change comes from the acceptance that management of the marine environment needs to take place in a more integrated manner. An effective mechanism is required to achieve this, and to move away from the current sectoral approach.
BMAPA’s responses to the Defra-led consultations on the Marine Bill development can be viewed here:
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