UK Marine Planning and the Ecosystem Based Approach Steve Collins Marine Planning & Coastal Integration Team June 2014

UK Update - England Marine Management Organisation East Inshore and Offshore plans adopted 2 April 2014 South Inshore and Offshore plans started April 2013 – due to complete 2015/16 Evidence and Issues Developing draft visions and options Developing overall project plan to 2021

UK Update – Northern Ireland, Wales Marine Northern Ireland Act 2013 National Marine Plan Statement of Public Participation (SPP) published 2012, revised 2013 Intention to complete by end 2015. Wales Consulted on draft SPP, formal publication soon. Strategic Scoping Report being finalised. Plan structure and content being finalised Intention to complete plan by end 2015 Scotland ……

Ecosystem Based Approach – policy requirements UK Marine Policy Statement – High Level Marine Objective ‘The use of the marine environment is spatially planned where appropriate and based on an ecosystems approach which takes account of climate change and recognises the protection and management needs of marine cultural heritage according to its significance. ‘Manage competing demands on the marine area, taking an ecosystem-based approach’ ‘A practical interpretation of the ecosystem approach is set out in regulation 5 of the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010 which transpose the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. An ecosystem-based approach to the management of human activities means an approach which ensures that the collective pressure of human activities is kept within the levels compatible with the achievement of good environmental status; that does not compromise the capacity of marine ecosystems to respond to human-induced changes; and that enables the sustainable use of marine goods and services’

Ecosystem Based Approach – In Practice Defra – ‘What Nature Can Do for You’ (2010) Using an ecosystems approach in policy making How to do it - practical application of an ecosystems approach in your policy situation Defra – Ecosystems Team – comments on draft East plans About taking an integrated holistic view of the activities affecting the marine environment Clear focus on maintaining healthy ecosystems and services and respecting environmental limits by maintaining the function of the ecosystem. Strong emphasis on taking account of cumulative impacts - highlighting a series of activities which are of concern Requires decisions to be taken at a suitable scale Requires that economic implications of proposals taken into account in decision-making alongside consideration of social, health and wellbeing benefits. Further work required on economic valuation of ecosystem services and in particular an improved understanding of the benefits of ecosystem services from the marine environment is “recognised as a priority evidence gap to support marine planning”. .

Ecosystem Based Approach – In Practice Marine Management Organisation - Practical framework for integrating the ecosystem approach into marine planning Examines current application of Ecosystem Approach and potential for improvement Reviews the ecosystem approach principles outlined through the Convention on Biological Diversity (the 12 Malawi Principles) and Australian Government’s (2006) Guidelines for Applying an Ecosystem Approach in the Oceans Suggests a slightly modified set of 10 principles that are suitable for application in marine planning, highlighting several key issues for marine management To be published in …July / August this year.

THANK YOU Stephen.t.collins@defra.gsi.gov.uk