The UK Government, the Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive are taking action to achieve clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. A new system of marine planning has been introduced through the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (ISBN 9780105423096), the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (ISBN 9780105901518) and proposed legislation in Northern Ireland. This marine policy statement (MPS) is the framework for preparing marine plans and taking decisions that affect the marine environment. This consultation document contains the draft MPS, a non-technical summary of the appraisal of sustainability and an impact assessment. These and other documents are available at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-policy/index.htm. The introduction sets out the purpose, scope and structure of the MPS. Chapter 1 describes the role of the MPS within the wider marine planning system and its interaction with existing planning regimes. Chapter 2 outlines the vision for the UK marine area and the strategic environmental, social and economic considerations that need to be taken into account. Chapter 3 details the policy objectives for the key activities that take place in the marine environment.

The Committee welcomes the production of the Marine Policy Statement as the first step in the implementation of marine planning in the UK. It is important that the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) must be properly funded to carry out its work in implementing the MPS and developing marine plans for English waters, and the Committee notes the announced cuts to the MMO's budget with concern. It is important that the MPS remains relevant and up-to-date if it is effectively to guide decision makers in the future, and significant changes to the evidence on which it is based must be reflected in the contents of the MPS, but reviews should not be unnecessary or costly. The report notes the concerns raised by consultees regarding the level of detailed guidance on the interaction between terrestrial and marine planning. The Committee comments on the absence of detailed guidance about policy priorities in the draft MPS, and feels it is essential that sufficient clarity is provided in individual marine plans. Finally, the Committee welcomes assurances that the fishing industry will not be adversely affected by implementation of the MPS, and will look to see that this is borne out in the development of marine plans.

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries.

This White Paper sets out the Government's proposals for a Marine Bill designed to establish a new UK-wide strategic system of marine planning to balance conservation, energy and resource needs, based on the principle of sustainable development and working with the devolved administrations. Key provisions of the proposed Bill will be: the creation of a new Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to provide a holistic approach to marine policy covering planning, licensing and enforcement issues; a more streamlined, transparent and efficient marine licensing system; new mechanisms to supplement existing tools for the conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity, including marine conservation zones for important species and habitats that cannot be protected under European law; and reform of the management of inshore fisheries and recreational sea angling, including stronger enforcement powers and the recovery of costs of fishing vessel licence administration.

This white paper sets out proposals for a detailed programme of action to repair damage done to the environment in the past, and urges everyone to get involved in helping nature to flourish at all levels - from neighbourhoods to national parks. The plans are directly linked to the groundbreaking research in the National Ecosystem Assessment that showed the strong economic arguments for safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment. They also act on the recommendations of 'Making Space for Nature', a report into the state of England's wildlife sites, led by Professor John Lawton and published in September 2010, which showed that England's wildlife sites are fragmented and not able to respond to the pressures of climate change and other pressures we put on our land. Key measures proposed include: i) Reconnecting nature with New Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) with a £7.5 million fund for 12 initial NIAs, biodiversity offsetting, New Local Nature Partnerships with £1 million available this year, phasing out peat, ii) Connecting people and nature for better quality of life with Green Areas Designation, better urban green spaces; more children experiencing nature by learning outdoors, strengthening local public health activities, the new environmental volunteering initiative "Muck in 4 Life" to improve places in towns and countryside for people and nature to enjoy and iii) Capturing and improving the value of nature with a Natural Capital Committee; an annual statement of green accounts for UK Plc, a business-led Task Force to expand the UK business opportunities from new products and services which are good for the economy and nature alike.

This definitive volume assembles more than twenty leading Indo-Pacific maritime scholars and emerging experts to deliver fresh perspectives on maritime cooperation and security. Topics include naval activities, law of the sea, environmental protection, international cooperation, and sub-regional maritime agendas.

This Draft Marine Bill (Cm. 7351, ISBN 9780101735124) contains the following: a policy paper; the draft Marine Bill and explanatory notes; an impact assessment. The Bill sets out the Government's approach to a number of marine related issues, including environmental protection of the coastal marine environment and the seas surrounding the coast as well as access to the coastal environment for recreation. The legislation set out in this Bill was originally proposed in "Sea Change", a Marine White Paper, published in March 2007 (Cm. 7047, ISBN 9780101704724). The White Paper itself had proposed a strategic system of marine planning to balance conservation, energy and resource needs, using the principle of sustainable development. The Draft proposals in this Bill puts the earlier proposals of the White Paper into a legislative framework, which includes: the creation of the Marine Management Organisation; deliverance of new marine planning systems, including establishing new powers to enable the Government to put in place a network of marine conservation zones to protect marine life; better licensing decisions for licensing activities in the seas; reforms to a range of marine, migratory and freshwater fisheries management arrangements; allow greater access to the English coast. Comments on the Draft Bill should be submitted in writing by 26 June 2008.