The Review of Marine Nature Conservation commenced in 1999 in
fulfilment of the UK Government's pledge to accompany the
strengthening of protection for terrestrial wildlife sites with an
examination of the effectiveness of nature conservation in the
marine environment, including intertidal and coastal waters.
The Review was conducted by officials of the former Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), and
subsequently of Defra, and supported by a Working Group drawing
upon a wide range of interests. It has been the most
fundamental and comprehensive review of marine nature conservation
management ever undertaken in the UK. In the latest edition of
Nature News, we highlighted the publication of
Marine Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development:
The Irish Sea Pilot, which was an important contribution to
the Review. The Review was also supported by the work of its
subgroups on the provision of environmental information, and on
legislative mechanisms, and by papers provided by members of the
Working Group and its Secretariat.
After nearly five years of intensive work, the Review report
has been published and was launched on 26 July 2004. The Review
of Marine Nature Conservation - Working Group Report to
Government makes 16 key recommendations, and 73 supporting
recommendations, which cover a wide range of issues, including: the
overall strategy for marine nature conservation; the use of
'Regional Seas' for management purposes; the role of marine
landscapes, protected areas and priority features; spatial
planning; legislation and enforcement issues; governance
arrangements; monitoring; and the provision of
information.
It is expected that the Government will respond to the
Review's recommendations by the end of the year.
Review of Marine Nature Conservation - Working Group
Report to Government is available from Defra Publications
Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX
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