A number of constituents have contacted me with pressing concerns regarding our oceans and marine life. The UK is a global leader in protecting our seas, the ocean and marine life, through working with counterparts both in the UK and overseas.

Our oceans, covering over 70% of our planet, are an interconnected ecosystem that plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Plastic pollution, warming sea temperatures and human impacts are having a significant impact on the world’s marine environments and even putting certain species at risk of extinction. I am pleased that the UK is leading the way on this issue, the UK has now established a comprehensive network of 178 marine protected areas (MPAs) covering 40% of English waters across 35,000 square miles. These protect the range of species and habitats in our seas, including coldwater coral reefs with starfish, anemones and sponges; blue mussel beds supporting sea snails and crabs; and deepwater mud habitats with ocean quahog and sea urchins.

Significantly in December 2022, almost 200 countries agreed a deal to protect nature at COP15, which included a global commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and also to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030. I understand that nearly 8.3% of the global ocean is protected. The UK has announced nearly £30 million to support developing countries to deliver the "30 by 30" target. In addition, in March, UN Member States agreed the High Seas Treaty, which aims to place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030.

To further protect our marine ecosystems, we have introduced Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), where all fishing activities are excluded to encourage the full recovery of these vital ecosystems. Collaboration with the fishing industry, marine industries, and sea users is crucial to the success of HPMAs.

The Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 focuses on creating a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas, with as previously mentioned an already established 178 MPAs, the Government targets to ensure that 70% of designated features in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are in favourable condition by 2042, with the remainder in recovering condition. Achieving this will involve optimising marine space, monitoring marine plans, developing Fisheries Management Plans, and working closely with industry and partners. A practical initiative led by Defra will restore estuarine and coastal habitats, helping restore 15% of our priority habitats along the English coast by 2043.

Marine ecosystems not only support biodiversity but also offer a nature-based solution to combat climate change. We are advancing research on blue carbon ecosystems through the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership (UKBCEP). Additionally, initiatives like the LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES, which is a £2.5 million, four-year marine conservation project across five Special Areas of Conservation in Southern England, Marine Conservation Society, Ocean Conservation Trust and others. This project is actively working on marine conservation, such as England's largest seagrass planting effort and measures to protect the seabed from recreational boating-related damage. By maintaining and restoring seagrass, it helps to create healthy seagrass meadows that provide habitat for a number of protected species, are important nursery grounds for fish, help stabilise the seabed and reduce coastal erosion, clean surrounding seawater and store and capture significant amounts of carbon.

International collaboration is paramount in our efforts to protect our oceans. The UK plays a leading role in various international partnerships, such as the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (HLP), the Global Ocean Alliance (GOA), the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, and the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance. Joining the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification in June 2022 further demonstrates our commitment to global ocean conservation.

A significant challenge presented is the preservation of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Over 60% of the global ocean falls under ABNJ, and we are actively working to conclude negotiations in 2023 on a new implementing Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in these areas. This agreement is pivotal in achieving the 30-by-30 target and broader global biodiversity objectives.

It’s clear we urgently need to do much more to protect our oceans. Creating ocean sanctuaries – like national parks at sea – is essential. These would keep out threats from industrial fishing, drilling and mining, giving marine life a chance to recover. Protected areas won’t keep out pollution or climate change, but they will give marine life the space to cope with these pressures.

I want to emphasise the commitment to protecting our oceans and marine life. I can assure you that we are dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for our oceans.

On a similar note, you may also be interested in reading about Deep Sea Mining and its relation to the ocean.

Thank you again to all of those who contacted me, it is much appreciated.