Informing policy
International and Strategic Partnerships Office team members respond on behalf of NOC, and the wider NERC marine community, to consultations and enquiries from UK, EU and devolved Governments. Examples include writing position papers and providing responses to Government consultations or Parliamentary enquiries on a range of issues including Lyme Bay fisheries, Systematics and Taxonomy, the Future of the IPCC, Invasive Alien Species, Carbon Capture and Storage, the UK and Scottish Marine Acts, BBSRC Future Research, Scottish Seas and so on.
In terms of UK and European marine science policy the main activity for the near future is progress towards implementing and achieving the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Work towards achieving the MSFD's objective of 'Good Environmental Status' by 2020 will form a major work package across the EU over the next decade. There is also follow-up work resulting the UK's Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) and Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, in particular the establishment of a coherent network of marine protected areas, issues related to marine licensing, and the gradual roll-out of marine spatial planning in UK waters.
Overseas governments, institutions and scientists are showing interest in the UK's leading example, with an increasing number of enquiries about how they might learn from our experiences. ISPO staff are able to provide an overview of the UK's experiences and provide introductions to practitioners in the industrial sector.
ISPO also provides the NERC component of the Marine Science Co-ordination Committee (MSCC) secretariat. The MSCC was established in response to the House of Commons Select Committee Report 'Investigating the Oceans', and produced the first UK Marine Science Strategy in 2010. Ongoing work packages are exploring ways to better-align UK marine science activities, evaluate long-term monitoring programmes, strengthen links with industry and improve science communication to the public and policy makers.
ISPO staff participate in workshops and early-stage meetings about issues as diverse as Severn tidal power schemes, marine licensing, Strategic Environmental Assessment for offshore wind, and engagment with the general public. We have excellent links with the NERC marine laboratories, some parts of Industry, and marine-related Learned Societies and Professional Bodies. Where appropriate we work closely with the wider marine science community to deliver a common message to decision-makers for the benefit of the marine environment.
