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Highly Protected Marine Areas

The Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA) initiative, led by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, seeks to establish marine protected areas with comprehensive conservation measures including restrictions on bottom trawling to protect marine ecosystems. The policy is advancing through the Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) Bill and related consultation processes, with emphasis on whole-site protection approaches and international coordination on high seas conservation.

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5 Jun 2025 | Committee report linked

Marine habitats are interconnected, and the health of one area impacts the entire ecosystem. Scientific research has provided evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of a whole-site approach to marine protection, which is enabled in Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA). Therefore, it is critical for the Government to deliver whole-site marine protection in more marine areas by designating more HPMAs to facilitate effective marine conservation and enable faster recovery for habitats at risk....

Marine habitats are interconnected, and the health of one area impacts the entire ecosystem. Scientific research has provided evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of a whole-site approach to marine protection, which is enabled in Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA). Therefore, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Jun 2025 | Committee report linked

As a result of climate change, species are increasingly migrating into the high seas and global oceans. The movement of marine species beyond national jurisdictions poses significant challenges to conservation and sustainable management efforts highlighting the need for effective governance and protection of these areas. We are disappointed that the Government has not found time in the legislative timetable to introduce primary legislation to ratify the Agreement under the United Nations Conv...

As a result of climate change, species are increasingly migrating into the high seas and global oceans. The movement of marine species beyond national jurisdictions poses significant challenges to conservation and sustainable management efforts highlighting the need for effective governance …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

The current UK legal framework around the protection of marine mammals is incoherent and not sufficient to effectively preserve these precious species. UK measures are in stark contrast to best practice exemplified internationally by the 1972 Protecting Marine Mammals in the UK and Abroad 29 US Marine Mammal Protection Act, and, as ministers conceded to us in evidence, there are concerning loopholes that harm marine species. We strongly endorse the JNCC’s recommendation that seals be added to...

The current UK legal framework around the protection of marine mammals is incoherent and not sufficient to effectively preserve these precious species. UK measures are in stark contrast to best practice exemplified internationally by the 1972 Protecting Marine Mammals in …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We believe HPMAs are an important tool in marine mammal conservation which can play a key role in ensuring sustainable marine ecosystems. We support the rollout of the three HMPAs due to be formally designated by July 2023 and wish to see others follow. It is vitally important that their introduction is subject to comprehensive and ongoing engagement with the fishing industry, especially given increasing spatial pressures. We call on the Government to publish an ambitious timetable for the de...

We believe HPMAs are an important tool in marine mammal conservation which can play a key role in ensuring sustainable marine ecosystems. We support the rollout of the three HMPAs due to be formally designated by July 2023 and wish …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Jun 2023 | Committee report linked

We heard a number of examples of the UK being cited as a leader internationally when it comes to marine mammal welfare and conservation. Given that this is an issue which transcends national borders, it is vital that the UK seeks to maximise its soft power in this arena. A key part of this is leading by example. We recommend that the Government accelerates action in relation to protected areas in UK waters, such that all such designated areas, including HPMAs, have proper management plans in ...

We heard a number of examples of the UK being cited as a leader internationally when it comes to marine mammal welfare and conservation. Given that this is an issue which transcends national borders, it is vital that the UK …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK