Marine Environment News in Brief - July 2023
Shellfish Official Control Sampling
In 2022, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed that Local Authorities (LAs) could delegate Official Control (OC) Sampling for shellfish to industry representatives. This represents a significant change in approach. Previously, LAs could only use industry to collect these samples in exceptional circumstances and with the explicit approval of FSA on a case-by-case basis.
In order to help facilitate this change, Seafish have worked with LAs to develop guidance on delegating OC sampling to industry. Linked to this work, Seafish have also developed a training course for OC sampling. For further information, see the New guidance and training for Official Control Regulations on shellfish production.
Via the Smarter Comms platform, FSA have announced an updated approach for OC sample results that exceed the site classification thresholds. For Class A and B sites, where a sampling result is above the classification threshold, investigative samples may be now taken as soon as practicable rather than having to wait 7 days. If this first investigative sample is within classification thresholds (i.e. 230 and 4,600 E.coli/100g, for Class A and B sites, respectively) and there are no other risks to public health, a second investigative sample will no longer be required and any short-term control measures can be removed immediately.
Shark Fins Act 2023
Shark finning has been banned in the UK since 2003 through the Shark Finning Regulation, and since 2009 a ‘Fins Naturally Attached’ policy has been enforced to further combat illegal finning of sharks in UK waters and by UK vessels worldwide. The Shark Fins Act 2023 builds on these existing protections by preventing the trade of detached shark fins and related products, such as tinned shark fin soup.
UK is failing to protect cetaceans
The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) have published a report of their enquiry into the protection of marine mammals in the UK. Government initiatives such as the Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy and the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative are welcome, but need to move at a faster pace, be more joined up across the nations and require rigorous assessment mechanisms including targets. Current levels of bycatch monitoring were considered insufficient to gain an accurate picture of the numbers of marine mammals killed or injured, despite the requirement for vessels to report marine mammal bycatch.
Marine Protection in Scotland
Plans to implement Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) across 10% of Scotland’s seas by 2026 are no longer being progressed. Instead, the Scottish Government will work with industry, communities and conservation organisations to enhance marine protection. They will also support any groups that wish to pursue community-led site protection in their local area, such as those initiatives in Lamlash Bay on Arran and St Abbs & Eyemouth in Berwickshire.
North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea Basin Marine Protected Area extension
OSPAR’s Contracting Parties have agreed to extend the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea Basin Marine Protected Area (MPA) to include the seabed and a number of additional species and habitats, such as coral gardens and deep-sea sharks. The MPA was originally designated with the goal of protecting, conserving, maintaining, and restoring seabird populations and marine biodiversity.
Consultations:
- 24 July 2023: Defra consultation on expansion of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan to cover coastal and estuarine waters which had not been previously included.
- 24 July 2023: Scottish Government consultation on implementation timescales for a new environmental quality standard (EQS) for emamectin benzoate (EmBz) which is widely used to control sea-lice in marine finfish farming.
- 4 August 2023: Scottish Government consultation on an appraisal framework for new National Parks including marine parks.
- 25 August 2023: The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland, consultation on applications for three Fish Culture Licences in Carlingford Lough.
Updates:
- Please note that there is going to be a temporary pause in these Marine Environment News in Brief updates.
- Seafish are advertising for a Policy Advisor. Please see the Seafish website