1. New Horizons for Devon’s Seas
Matt Frost
Marine Biological Association
I know focus is Devon but the sea actually needs to be considered as a whole so will not be drawing arbitrary cut-off at boundaries between Dorset, Cornwall
New Horizons for Devon’s Natural Capital
March 16th, 2018, Exeter Racecourse

2. SW marine environment
Wide range of habitats (high exposed cliffs, sandy beaches, sheltered rias and estuaries).
Source: CP2 State of UK Seas 2010: HBDSEG (Eds Frost & Hawkridge)
There are two major assessment regions for this very rich region. The Eastern Channel (3) extends from Dover in the east to Dartmouth in the west. Water depths are generally less than 50 m but reach 100 m towards the west and get deeper as you head west into region 4. Sea-surface temperature varies from c. 5 °C in winter to °C in summer.
High diversity of habitats & species due to position straddling Boreal & Lusitanian biogeographic regions (great monitoring site)

3. Basking shark. Copyright: Andrew Pearson
Pink Sea fan, Devon.
Copyright: Dr Keith Hiscock
Jewel Anemone, Plymouth Sound.
Copyright: Dr Keith Hiscock
Devon marine environment home to many lovely species
Angular Crab, Lundy. Copyright: Dr Keith Hiscock
Basking shark. Copyright: Andrew Pearson

4. South-west MPAs
There is however protection afforded to the marine environment via a range of policy instruments.
Blue = SAC (Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats &c. Regulations 2007 (as amended))
purple = MCZ (Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009))
Green = SPA (Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010))

5. But mixture of legislation from EU and National
Bideford to Foreland Point MCZ (designated 2016).
Lyme Bay and Torbay SAC
SACs, SPAs also contribute to Ospar obligations
This is important as although it is a ‘network’ – some of this protection comes from EU Legislation
Frost et al (2016) Aquat. Cons. 26 (3): 576–595

6. SW inshore Marine Plan covers approx
SW inshore Marine Plan covers approx. 2,000 km of coastline from River Severn to River Dart (Devon), taking in over 16,000 Km2 of sea. SW offshore marine plan from 12 nm out to seaward limit of EEZ (approx. 68,000Km2 of sea).
South Inshore Marine Plan covers approx. 1,700 km of coastline. From mean high water springs out to 12 nm, from Dover to river Dart incorporating 11,000 km2 . South Offshore Marine Plan from 12 nm extending out to the seaward limit of the EEZ (approx. 10,000 km2 of sea)
There are plans and policies being developed at the national level. There has also been talk of a ‘marine park’ in Plymouth and we have already heard about the 25 year marine plan that contains a number of commitments relative to the marine environment.
“Prepared and adopted for the purposes of section 44 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009”.

7. EU POLICY BREXIT: Uncertainty over future status of legislation
21 obligations (inc. conventions and legislation) relevant to UK marine biodiversity, spanning nearly five decades ( ).
International Convention for the Conservation of the Atlantic Tuna (1966)
EC Habitats Directive (1992)
EC Common Fisheries Policy (1970, 1983, 1987, 2002, 2013)
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD; 1992, 1993)
Ramsar Convention (1971)
EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000)
CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973)
International Maritime Organisation - Ballast Water Convention (2004)
Bern Convention (1979)
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008)
Bonn Convention (Conservation of Migratory Species) (1979)
Climate Change Act (2008)
EU Wild Birds Directive (1979; 2009)
Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
UK Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 and subsequent amendments)
Marine & Coastal Access Act (2009); Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013
Convention for the conservation of salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean (1982)
Marine (Scotland) Act (2010)
Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks Agreement (1982)
Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013
OSPAR Convention- The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (1992)
So one of the issues is that we are still unsure how marine legislation will be applied after Brexit. Legislation like the CFP and the MSFD are important.
EU POLICY

8. Fishing and GES both currently driven by European legislation – can the UK do a better job alone?
Most important question is can we do a better job alone? GES is currently driven by EU (MSFD) and fisheries governed via CFP.

9. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
Providing a unified, clear, independent voice on behalf of the marine biological community– join today!
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
We are the Association representing marine biologists nationally and internationally and the go-to body for policy advice and information on all things marine
From left to right is 1) our outreach/training/education 2) our journals 3) our policy work 4) our work with members (The Marine Biologist magazine is a members magazine)