Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

Amendment A240 is in my name and that of my noble friend. It is in the same grouping and would insert a new clause amending the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992 to incorporate the Marine Management Organisation. That would give much more beef, if you like, to the Bill’s environmental and conservation credentials. In a similar way to some of the Conservative amendments, we also wish to take reasonable steps to further many of these functions, particularly to ensure that we are talking not only about conservation but about enhancement of the marine environment and indeed incorporating the marine ecosystems as well. The amendment would change the balance much more in favour of conservation than is the case as the Bill stands. I shall refer briefly to other amendments that have already been referred to. Amendments A232A to A233C would also give protection to flora and fauna that are dependent on the marine and coastal environment. The points made by my noble friend Lord Wallace about migration are very important. I support these matters as well as the duties imposed on Ministers in Amendment A242. Amendment A245ZA is similar to our new clause in Amendment 240 in relation to marine ecosystems and conservation. In passing, but certainly not lightly, I shall mention the amendment proposed by the noble Baroness, Lady Young, which would insert into the Bill and underline important fundamental principles: sustainable development and conservation of the marine environment, a much stronger use of the wording than is contained in the Bill at present. It would give authority to an IFC district so that it would have not only to manage resources in a sustainable way, which is what the Bill says, but to promote sustainable development and further marine environment conservation. That would ensure that the IFC district had an in-built duty in the Bill to improve the management of sea fisheries in the district, which is a vital responsibility. That is also reflected in Amendment A232A. These amendments, as has already been said, are trying to achieve a similar objective. That is a clear indication that the conservation, sustainable and marine environment parts of the Bill are not sufficient. The amendments underline the importance of those factors in not only conserving the marine environment but enhancing it and seeking to ensure that there will be recovery.