Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

My Lords, noble Lords will remember that we had a number of debates in Committee on the establishment of the inshore fisheries and conservation authorities, and the importance of ensuring not only their constitution but their duties as new bodies. A reasonable consensus emerged on the importance of integrating environmental considerations alongside fisheries management. However, there is some wish to see these duties strengthened if we are to bring about a different culture than has been the case until now. The amendment’s purpose is to enhance the current duty as set out in Clause 149 by also ensuring that the protection of the marine environment, particularly the promotion of its recovery, is not only from current exploitation of sea fisheries resources but also relates to past such exploitation. Moreover, it would introduce a duty to further the conservation and recovery of marine flora and fauna, taking the Bill beyond the more limited wording that is already there. It is also arguable that the reference to marine flora and fauna goes further than the definition of sea fisheries resources in Clause 149(6). However, the general thrust of the amendment is that fisheries management and environmental protection can go hand in hand. Those who are engaged in fisheries are undoubtedly likely to benefit further if they are fishing in a healthy marine environment. It strikes the right balance and the duty implicit in this amendment would help both those concerned with fisheries and those concerned with marine environment protection. I beg to move.