House of Commons · Westminster Hall
08 June 2023 · 4 other contributors · 9,723 words
Opened by Sally-Ann Hart Con Hastings and Rye
Responding minister: Trudy Harrison
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Sally-Ann Hart raised concerns about world ocean day — [mrs pauline latham in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Hart asks the Government to outline measures taken by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to restore and protect blue carbon habitats. She requests details on funding facilitation for nature-based solutions and support for private sector involvement in ocean protection initiatives.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Sally-Ann Hart is concerned about the over-exploitation and pollution of the ocean, which has led to a decline in its health. She highlights issues such as illegal fishing, chemical, plastic, and nutrient pollution, and coastal overdevelopment. The MP also expresses worry about carbon emissions causing ocean warming, acidification, and oxygen loss, impacting biodiversity and livelihoods dependent on marine resources.
The MP highlighted the underappreciated role of oceans in climate change mitigation, noting that oceans produce at least half of our world's oxygen and have absorbed more than 90% of Earth's increased heat since 1978. He also mentioned the lack of effective marine protection, with only 8% of English seas effectively protected despite 40% being designated as marine protected areas.
Mr Grayling emphasised the importance of protecting marine environments, highlighting progress on treaties and conferences but stressing the need for accelerated work on marine protected areas. He urged for a complete ban on bottom trawling in marine protected areas and a significant increase in highly protected marine areas by 2030. He also discussed the benefits of restoration projects such as seagrass recovery, kelp regrowth, and coral reef restoration. Mr Grayling stressed the necessity of robust enforcement against illegal fishing activities and advocated for technology use in monitoring and preventing environmental damage.
Emphasised the importance of World Ocean Day, highlighting that more than half of marine species may face extinction by 2100 due to climate change. Mentioned ocean acidification reducing carbonate levels in sea water, affecting organisms like coral and molluscs. Advocated for improved air quality, sustainable fisheries practices, and increased protection through marine protected areas, noting only 8% of oceans are currently protected.
There is not enough understanding of how important blue carbon is or the crucial role that the ocean could play in absorbing and capturing carbon. Discussed the potential of blue carbon to combat climate change, emphasizing the need for better mapping and research. Raised concerns over plastic pollution in the ocean, highlighting the necessity for international action. Mentioned initiatives such as microbead bans and extended producer responsibility schemes.
Government Response
Trudy HarrisonDiscussed the Government's commitment to protecting oceans, highlighting progress on environmental improvement plan, marine protected areas, fisheries management plans, and international agreements like the Global Ocean Alliance. Mentioned work on plastic pollution treaty and sustainable ocean economy initiatives.