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Andrew Bowie MP

Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
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Protect the Oceans (Feb 2020)

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Oceans are currently facing unprecedented challenges, including climate change and over-fishing. It is more important than ever to take action to ensure our seas are healthy, abundant and resilient.

Global Ocean Treaty: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Defra have been closely involved in the negotiation of a new UN agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. I am aware that the UK is pressing for an ambitious agreement to be concluded in 2020. However,

I am encouraged that the UK is on course to protect over half of its waters and I join Greenpeace in calling for the UK and other countries to work together towards a new global commitment for a UN high seas treaty. This would pave the way to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's ocean by 2030.

I am pleased that 41 new Marine Conservation Zones have recently been created. The UK now has 355 Marine Protected Areas of different types, spanning 220,000 square km. No new activities deemed damaging will be allowed to take place in these areas and existing harmful activities will be minimised or stopped to allow important habitats to recover. A review has now been launched into whether and how Highly Protected Marine Areas, the strongest form of marine protection, could be introduced in English seas.

The Government is working hard to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean and is leading global efforts to tackle the problem through support of the G7 Oceans Plastics Charter, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy and the Commonwealth Blue Charter. In April 2018, the UK launched the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance alongside Vanuatu, encouraging its 25 member countries to take steps to eliminate avoidable single-use plastics.

Finally, the forthcoming International Ocean Strategy will set out plans to work with international partners to secure a sustainable, prosperous and secure ocean future.
 

Policy and Campaign Opinion

  • Animal Cruelty Sentencing (Jan 2020)
  • Assisted Suicide (Jan 2020)
  • Climate Change and the Environment Scotland (Feb 2020)
  • Deporting Foreign Criminals (Jamaica Flight) (Feb 2020)
  • Domestic Abuse Bill (Feb 2020)
  • Driving in the EU post Brexit (Jan 2020)
  • Food Standards and Trade (Feb 2020)
  • HS2 and the Environment (Jan 2020)
  • Homelessness in Scotland (Feb 2020)
  • House of Lords Reform (Feb 2020)
  • IR35 Update (Jan 2020)
  • Immunity for Soldiers (Jan 2020)
  • Impact of EU exit on NHS (Jan 2020)
  • Loan Charge Planned Changes (Jan 2020)
  • Lords Amendment ref Child Refugees (Jan 2020)
  • NHS Pensions, Pension Tax (Feb 2020)
  • Protect the Oceans (Feb 2020)
  • Sanctions Regime Post Brexit (Feb 2020)
  • Support for Veterans (Feb 2020)
  • Transgender Equality (Feb 2020)

Andrew Bowie MP, Conservative Member of Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

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