Marine Strategy Framework Directive Consultation: UK Initial Assessment and proposals for Good Environmental Status
Consultation Start: 27 March 2012
Consultation End: 18 June 2012
For the UK, the directive is part of a package of policies, united byour vision for ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologicallydiverse oceans and seas’. The directive’s aims are consistent with thisvision and current policies, such as the implementation of the Marineand Coastal Access Act, and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policywill play a major role in helping us achieve Good Environmental Status(GES).
The directive is very wide-ranging and sets out elevendescriptors of GES relating to biological diversity, non-indigenousspecies introductions, commercially exploited fish and shellfishpopulations, food webs, human-induced eutrophication, sea floorintegrity, hydrographical conditions, concentrations of contaminants,contaminants in fish and other seafood, litter, and noise.
Further Information
Find more information on the MSFD including consultation Q&A and factsheets from the link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/03/27/marine-strategy-framework-1203/
Consultation Start: 27 March 2012
Consultation End: 18 June 2012
For the UK, the directive is part of a package of policies, united byour vision for ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologicallydiverse oceans and seas’. The directive’s aims are consistent with thisvision and current policies, such as the implementation of the Marineand Coastal Access Act, and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policywill play a major role in helping us achieve Good Environmental Status(GES).
The directive is very wide-ranging and sets out eleven descriptors ofGES relating to biological diversity, non-indigenous speciesintroductions, commercially exploited fish and shellfish populations,food webs, human-induced eutrophication, sea floor integrity,hydrographical conditions, concentrations of contaminants, contaminantsin fish and other seafood, litter, and noise.
Further Information
Find more information on the MSFD including consultation Q&A and factsheets from the link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/03/27/marine-strategy-framework-1203/
The Love Your River Campaign
The “Love Your River” campaign launched on 28 March 2012 and isbacked by Defra, the National Trust, the Environment Agency, theWildlife Trusts, Keep Britain Tidy, water companies, and Waterwise topromote the value and benefits of our rivers to our everyday life. Theneed to protect our rivers has become more urgent in light of droughtsbeing declared in various parts of the country, with some of southernYorkshire joining the list of drought affected areas today. Moredetails are available from the link- http://www.defra.gov.uk/loveyourriver/
Tamsin Phipps, the BCU’s Government & Public Affairs Manager, wasnominated by the BCU Board to represent our interests and help with thedevelopment and work of the new C&RT and we’re pleased toannouncethat her nomination and detailed application were accepted bythe very strict vetting process.
Tamsin will be on the council with 11 other nominated representativesand elected members of Council along with the 13 Waterways PartnershipChairs. The first meeting of Council in Birmingham on 28 March 2012. In future elections the number of elected candidates will increase tofurther extend the democratic make-up of Council.
Tony Hales, Chair of the Canal & River Trust, comments: “The Councilwill be the guardian of the long-term values and purposes of the Trustand it will play an important role in helping to shape policy, raisingand debating issues. The range and breadth of experience represented onthe Council is extensive, it will prove a valuable advisory body forTrustees and management to draw upon.
Council members will serve for a period of four years. All minutesfrom Council meetings will be available online. Find out more at: www.waterscape.com/trust.
South West Regional Development Team – Access to Rivers.
March 2012
For many years the South West Region and their Waterways &Environment Team has looked after the local issues and accessarrangements on the rivers in the region. They have worked hard innegotiations in circumstances that can be quite demanding.
The Team has provided clarity and certainty of access to some of therivers in the area for various times of year through a variety of accessarrangements to include the River Dart.
The River Dart is one of the popular rivers for white water in England.The river rises high on Dartmoor as the Rivers East and West Dart withtheir confluence at Dartmeet. The most used section of is betweenNewbridge and Buckfastleigh , and provides much sport. It is a riverwhere many canoeists first experienced white water on a natural uplandriver and continue to do so.
Canoe England is continuing the access arrangement on the Dart to makesome provision for those canoeists requiring a greater certainty ofaccess at particular times. The arrangement has seen some changes overtime thanks to the work and perseverance of the volunteer Waterway& Environment Team. The need to register before using the river hasbeen removed and access extended into mid March.
Other access arrangements in the South West include the rivers East Lyn, and Barle. Information is posted on the SW Region website andlinked to the Canoe England website.
Access to the rivers in the south west provides a range of white watergradings for both coaching and general sport. For the local communitythe canoeing activity is recognised as bringing a much needed boost tothe local economy outside the main holiday period.
Helping the Environment – Get involved!
March 2012
From recycling and insulation to greening events and preventingpollution, there are many ways for a club to start operating moresustainably – but we recognise that this takes time and effort.
Why go green?
We all like to canoe and kayak on clean seas, lakes and rivers, and soit’s in all our interests to do what we can to minimise our impact onthe environment. Take a look at just a few of the key benefits for yourclub;
• Protecting our environment – we want to enjoy our surroundings whenwe go out on the water so we all need to play our part in preventingpollution or damage.
• Saving Money – saving energy and water, and recycling more can savehundreds, even thousands of pounds a year. Money that could be betterspent on boats and equipment!
• Complying with environmental legislation – keeps your club on the right side of the law.
• Meeting expectations – many organisations now have environmentalpolicies and your existing and prospective members may expect you to putmeasures in place.
We know that many of you are already working on greening your canoeclubs and we would like to know what you are doing so we can use thecase studies to show others what can be done as well as to promote ourgreen credentials.
Please get in touch at: [email protected]
River Medway Clean Up Project
The River Medway Clean Up is a project that has just been brought toour attention. As part of Go Canoeing Week, to keep the River Medwaylooking pristine, clubs, centres, groups and individuals who use theriver are joining with the Environment Agency for a mass clean up on14th or 15th April 2012.
Sections of the river will be divided up to manageable sections andarrangements made for easy access, and for spots to place collectedrubbish. Rubbish bags will be provided.
To help make this river a cleaner place please contact Paul Newman,South East Regional Secretary for more information or just to let himknow you are interested and coming:
[email protected]
or you can visit the link below on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/310300055691462/
Red Tape Challenge – Water and Marine Theme
February 2012
We have received a request from DEFRA to take part in their latestconsultation. Perhaps you too would like to add your comments to this.
From their letter inviting us to take part
“As you may be aware, the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ was launched in Aprillast year to open up Government regulation to the scrutiny and challengeof the public, businesses and experts. The Red Tape Challenge websiteis being used to gather innovative ideas on how the aims of ourregulations can be fulfilled in the most successful and least burdensomeways, of over 1200 regulations considered so far, more than 50% will bescrapped or improved.
The Government is committed to being the greenest government ever.Protecting and enhancing the natural and marine environment is crucialto our long-term economic success and quality of life: there is nointention to reduce environmental protection. However, to support asustainable economy we have to make sure that our policies are beingimplemented in the most effective way possible.”
For paddlers there are two main areas up for review… “Water and Marine” and “Biodiversity, wildlife management, landscape, countryside and recreation”.
DEFRA want to use the Red Tape Challenge to hear your thoughts on howwater and marine regulations are working in practice – what works well,as well as what does not – and whether there are more effective means ofachieving their policy goals. If you have particular thoughts, forexample on alternatives to regulation, or innovative approaches tocompliance with water and marine measures, this is the opportunity foryou to share them with DEFRA.
DEFRA are looking to all of their stakeholders – the public, businesses,representative bodies and non-governmental organisations – to tell themhow the regulations are working in practice and what can be done toimprove them. The more specific you can be the better – They want tomake a real difference to how they achieve their objectives.
Please get involved and leave your comments and ideas on the regulations on the website http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/home/index/ or send a private submission to the Red Tape Team at [email protected]
We will respond on behalf of Canoe England but please do take some time to wade through this … your views are important too!
Hampshire Avon Autumn Paddle & the national media