MARINE STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Early day motion 51, tabled 15 November 2006 by Bill Wiggin (Conservative). Signed by 98 members.

That this House supports and welcomes the commitment to clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas outlined in the Government's first Marine Stewardship Report; is concerned about the ever-increasing pressure on the marine environment from coastal and offshore activities; believes that continued degradation threatens the long-term survival of internationally valuable habitats, wildlife and maritime archaeology; believes that such degradation of the marine environment is detrimental to the economic activities dependent on marine resources; notes that the United Kingdom does not have a strategic and co-ordinated approach for managing marine resources and for protecting the biological and cultural heritage; further supports and welcomes the commitment made by the Government in the 2005 legislative programme to publish a draft Marine Bill in that session; is disappointed that the draft Marine Bill was not presented as promised during the 2005-06 session; urges the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to take a greater leadership role in co-ordinating the devolved administrations and Government departments in the production of the Marine Bill; and calls upon the Government to present at the earliest opportunity in this session comprehensive legislation to protect and manage the marine environment in an integrated and sustainable manner.

Signatures by party: Conservative 81, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour 3, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.