Issues
> Marine and coasts |
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| Marine policy |
The policy section outlines WWF's position on key issues and includes policy documents, such as briefing papers and responses to government consultations.
On this page:
Ecosystem approach
An ecosystem approach is central to WWF's marine work. This means managing our use of the seas and oceans in a holistic way, taking into account the myriad activities that not only affect marine wildlife and habitats but also conflict with one another. In this way, coastal wetlands, seas and oceans can be used sustainably, and the protection of marine wildlife and coastal communities can be addressed.
Our work is currently focused in five regions of the world:
- the North-east Atlantic Ocean
- East Africa Marine
- the South Pacific
- Barents Sea
- Antarctic and Southern Ocean
For more information:
Marine Update 45
Marine Update 47
Marine Act Discussion Document, March 2004
The UK government has committed to safeguarding our seas. But despite the hundreds of laws and policies created to manage marine activities, the current system is failing - marine species and habitats and peoples livelihoods are at risk. In this discussion document WWF outlines why it believes the solution to these problems is for the Government to pass a UK wide and a Scottish Marine Act.
For more information
Download the Marine Act Discussion Document as a PDF file or visit our Marine Act campaign website
Marine Resource Management
An ecosystem approach requires managing all the demands made on marine resources, including harvesting of fish stocks, exploitation of mineral resources such as oil, sand and gravel, transporting cargoes at sea, coastal development, flood defences, tourism and recreation.
For more information:
Flooding and coastal defence in the UK
Marine Update 40
Marine Update 44
Marine Update 46
Marine Update 49
PSSAs
Marine Update 17
Stategic Environmental Assessment
A Discussion Paper on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and its application in the marine environment. The Paper uses the offshore oil & gas sector as its basis but SEA is considered to be applicable to all marine activities and developments.
Main contacts:
Janet Brown, Senior Marine Policy Officer
Dr Simon Walmsley, Head of Marine Programme
Dr Tom Pickerel, Fisheries Policy Officer
Emily Lewis Brown, Climate Change Policy Officer
Sally Bailey, NEAME Programme Manager
Marine Nature Conservation
Within an ecosystem approach it is important to address the needs of marine wildlife and habitats. This can be done in a variety of ways, including setting up protected areas at sea and addressing direct threats such as accidental death of porpoises in fishing nets or trade in marine wildlife such as sharks' fins.
For more information:
Marine Update 37
Marine Update 48
Main contacts
Janet Brown, Senior Marine Policy Officer
Kate Reeves Marine Policy Officer
Marine Pollution Prevention
Managing human demands on marine resources will be pointless if we continue to use the seas as a dustbin for our wastes. Up to 80 per cent of marine pollution comes from the land via rivers and the atmosphere, but offshore oil development and shipping are also important sources of pollution.
For more information:
Marine Update 33
Marine Update 38
Marine Update 39
Marine Update 40
TBT
Main contacts
Dr Simon Walmsley, Head of Marine Programme
Emily Lewis Brown, Climate Change Policy Officer
Marine Awareness & Capacity Building
In order to deliver an ecosystem approach, protect marine wildlife and ensure a future for coastal communities, it is necessary to raise awareness about the plight of the seas. It is also necessary to ensure that there are enough people working in marine conservation and management, both in the UK and all around the world.
For more information:
Northern Ireland Assembly briefing on marine legislation
Marine Update 34
basking shark
Lophelia petusa
Main contacts
Sylvette Peplowski, Marine Projects Officer
Sally Bailey, NEAME Programme Manager |
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WWF-UK > Research > Issues > Marine and coasts > Policy
