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Participate in Shaping the Marine Bill

01 Sep 2005

Industry, conservation groups and the public are being invited to give their views on a major piece of legislation which is intended to improve the management of Britain's seas. The Government is committed to introducing a Marine Bill that will establish an integrated system for the streamlined planning, management and protection of coastal and marine resources.

Later this year the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will be consulting on how to take their nature conservation proposals forward and how to reform marine consenting regimes in the context of marine spatial planning and a new Marine Management Organisation.

The first of a series of Marine Bill Forums at the Strand Palace Hotel in London on the 26th of this month is fully subscribed. It will give delegates an overview of the Bill's development and provide the opportunity to discuss the proposals. Two further events will take place in late November or early December and mid-January 2006.

Those wishing to be added to the stakeholder's list for future mailings about the Marine Bill can obtain information at www. defra. gov. uk/environment/ water/marine/uk/policy/ marine-bill/next. htm . Summaries of views expressed at the Forums will be posted on these web pages and feedback is welcomed.

The draft Marine Bill will be published by November 2006 at the latest and will be subject to a public consultation. Introduction to Parliament will then be dependent on the availability of Parliamentary time, but DEFRA expects the Bill to be introduced sometime during 2007.

MJ Information No: 21025

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