Policy and Research
Our Seas - A shared resource. High level marine objectives
Defra's Marine Research Programme
Consultation on Coastal Change Policy
Europe's onshore and offshore wind energy potential
Practical marine planning guidance
The landscape of European and UK Marine Policy is undergoing a sea-change with the advent of the EU Recommendation on ICZM, the EU Marine Strategy Directive, The EU Marine Policy Package (The “Blue Book”), The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and ICZM stock-take.
It is important that these policies reinforce each other and that they provide the guidance and support for positive joined-up thinking in key areas, crucially steering the management of our seas towards sustainability, with Marine Protected Areas as central components.
The UK has been at the forefront of developing marine policy, and needs to continue in this sphere of influence. The UK has been guiding the adoption of coherent tools and thinking on marine management, and is lobbying for consistency in these matters in order for a ‘Golden Thread’ (true joined up thinking) to be evident in the evolving picture of Policy Development.