Today, on World Oceans Day, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove has announced the government’s next steps in protecting England’s precious marine environment with a new review to examine whether and how the strongest protections for areas of sea, known as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), could be introduced.

This announcement follows the government’s manifesto commitment to create a Blue Belt of marine protection for Britain’s overseas territories and its own coast, and builds on the ambition of the 25 Year Environment Plan.

As the strongest form of marine protection, new Highly Protected Marine Areas could help protect England’s precious coastline by closing off specific areas to any human activity with the potential to cause harm.

Targeted Highly Protected Marine Areas would complement the existing network of Marine Conservation Zones, which just last week expanded by a further 41 areas, and allow vulnerable marine wildlife to fully recover, free from all damaging human activities, with the aim of restoring areas to a pristine state. Together this would mark the most significant expansion of England’s ‘Blue Belt’ of protected areas to date, as well supporting the government’s international efforts in calling for 30% of the world’s oceans to be protected by 2030.

The review, led by Richard Benyon MP, will be asked to establish an evidence-based process and criteria for selecting Highly Protected Marine Areas, and if supported by the evidence, recommend potential locations for pilot sites. The views of those who use the seas will be at the heart of the review, which will over six months consider the economic and social impacts on businesses and individuals who use the sea, taking into account the views of fishermen, conservation groups, marine industries, and local communities.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

The UK is a global leader in the fight to protect our seas, but World Oceans Day is an important reminder that we need to safeguard the future prosperity and health of our ocean.

Last week we designated 41 new Marine Conservation Zones with an area almost eight times the size of Greater London, and our review into Highly Protected Marine Areas will help inform our next steps in the government’s work to expand and strengthen the UK’s Blue Belt to create richer habitats for marine life.

The review into Highly Protected Marine Areas comes after the government backed plans for more than 150,000 square miles of a ‘no take’ zone around Ascension Island, closing the off-shore area to any fishing activity and meaning that than more than half of the UK’s global waters will soon be within Marine Protected Areas.

Richard Benyon MP, who will lead the review, said:

Our ocean is a precious resource, valuable not just for its marine diversity but also for the many livelihoods it supports on our coastline.

While many areas have strong protections in place, there is a need to consider whether and where we can go further to safeguard marine life, balancing the needs of fishing, conservation and local communities.

Lewis Pugh endurance swimmer and UN Patron of the Oceans, said:

This review is a welcome first step towards the strongest form of protection for our waters. Following on from the establishment of 41 new MCZs it shows we are moving in the right direction. However time is not on our side and we must act as a matter of urgency.

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:

Over the last few years, our world-leading marine scientists have played an important role in the development of the UK’s Blue Belt, helping to safeguard over a million hectares of England’s ocean and coastal environment. But there is still more to be done to secure the long-term health of our seas and their wildlife.

I welcome this review into the potential for increased protection for habitats and species in our waters and look forward to working with Richard Benyon and the review team over the coming months as they draw up their findings.

Today’s announcement builds on the UK’s global leadership in protecting the marine environment – with the UK government calling for 30% of the world’s ocean to be protected by 2030 and the creation of the co-chaired Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance.

Through our Blue Belt programme we are also on track to protect over four million square kilometres of ocean across the UK’s Overseas Territories by 2020. On this World Oceans Day a group of scientists, journalists, film makers and artists are taking part in an Blue Belt supported project to one of the world’s remotest islands. Henderson Island in the South Pacific which has one of the highest densities of beach litter anywhere on earth. The expedition which runs from the start of June has scientists investigating the plastic pollution problem and its effects on local wildlife, the surrounding coral reefs and seabed sandy habitats.

The UK Government currently has 175 Marine Protected Areas of different types & protections, spanning 32,000 square km and conserving 40% of English seas. Stretching from Cornwall to Northumberland, the 41 new Marine Conservation Zones announced last week safeguard 12,000 square kilometres of marine habitats, an area almost eight times the size of Greater London. The government will also publish an international ocean strategy this year setting out further action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• The terms of reference are published on GOV.UK.
• The UK’s ‘Blue Belt’ now spans 220,000 square km with 128 Marine Conservation Zones. This includes: 89 in English waters, two in Northern Ireland offshore waters, five in Northern Ireland inshore waters, one in Welsh waters and 31 Nature Conservation MPAs in Scottish waters.
• You can follow the progress of the expedition to Henderson Island on twitter at: @ukgovbluebelt

About Richard Benyon:

• Richard Benyon has been an MP since 2005 and is a former Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries. He is actively interested in environmental issues, being the current chair of the All Party Parliamentary Environment Group and a former member of the Environment Audit Committee. He is widely respected within the fishing industry, and during his time at Defra worked closely with marine conservation groups, fishermen, and coastal communities during the development of the first tranche of Marine Conservation zones.

El entrenador británico-panameño, Gary Stempel, ha sido galardonado con un MBE en la Lista de Honores de Su Majestad la Reina Isabel II por servicios a la juventud y deporte en Panamá. MBE significa miembro de la orden más excelente del imperio británico y se da para celebrar los logros de vida y el servicio excepcional a la comunidad.

Los recipientes de la prestigiosa Excelentísima Orden del Imperio Británico (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire o M.B.E, por sus siglas en inglés) instituido por el rey Jorge V en 1917, son galardonados por sus contribuciones, años de sacrificio y trabajo a las artes y ciencias, contribuciones de caridad y el servicio público, fuera del servicio civil.

Antes de mudarse a Panamá, Stempel fue funcionario de extensión comunitaria en el club Millwall de Londres. En 2003, clasificó a Panamá para la primera Copa Mundial Sub-20 de la historia. En 2008 tuvo la oportunidad de hacerse cargo de la Selección Mayor Panameña donde ganaron la Copa Centroamericana de Naciones en 2009. Era la primera vez que Panamá ganaba un campeonato internacional. Ha trabajado como instructor de entrenadores de la FIFA y ha impartido cursos para entrenadores en San Cristóbal y Nieves, Dominica, Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos, Belice, Nicaragua y Surinam.

Después de la Copa Mundial de 2018, Stempel fue nombrado director técnico interino de la Selección Mayor.

Durante más de 20 años, Stempel ha trabajado con jóvenes en situación de riesgo de algunas de las comunidades más pobres del país, ayudándoles a alcanzar su pleno potencial en el deporte del fútbol. Ha apoyado y transformado las vidas de muchos jóvenes, y ha sido fundamental para asegurar que Panamá cuente con una liga nacional de fútbol plenamente desarrollada, que recoge lo mejor del patrimonio futbolístico y los valores británicos, a la vez ganando 7 campeonatos de liga con Panamá Viejo FC y San Francisco. Su legado más importante y duradero es la influencia que ha tenido en las asociaciones deportivas de Panamá. Ha cambiado el sector deportivo persiguiendo la excelencia en el deporte desde el punto de partida de la acción social y de los programas dirigidos a la juventud en riesgo. Stempel también es reconocido por su trabajo con el sistema penitenciario, especialmente en la prisión de Tinajitas, ayudando a crear el Torneo Inter carcelario de Panamá.

El Embajador de Su Majestad en Panamá, Damion Andrew Potter dijo “felicitaciones a Gary Stempel por haber recibido tan merecido reconocimiento por parte de Su Majestad la Reina Isabel II, gracias a su compromiso y servicios a la juventud y el fútbol panameño”. El director técnico, Gary Stempel comenta que: “este es el honor más grande que he recibido a nivel profesional. Estoy agradecido con todos los que apoyaron la nominación. También estoy muy agradecido por el apoyo de mi esposa y mi familia, quienes me han acompañado durante todos mis logros”, agregó Stempel.

Three Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) staff members have been recognised in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday’s Honours 2019 for their scientific support to the incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury during March and July 2018.

Prof Tim Atkins, Dr Mark Fulop, and Dr Sarah Stubbs, have been made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Prof Atkins receives his OBE for his service to UK defence and security, as well as providing scientific advice and support in the response to the incidents.

He said:

I am deeply humbled by this award which means a lot to me. The Salisbury and Amesbury incidents were challenging across the UK emergency response capability. I was proud to be part of a large team of people without whom I would not have been effective in what I did.

Prof Atkins has worked at Dstl since 1996 and is a senior fellow – a leading technical expert – within Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division.

Dr Fulop receives his OBE for his leadership in the field of chemical, biological and radiological science, including leading Dstl’s scientific response to the incidents.

He said:

It is incredible to have received such an honour – it was an amazing privilege to lead such a dedicated and talented team throughout the events in Salisbury and Amesbury last year.

Dr Fulop has worked at Porton Down for 32 years, undertaking a variety of senior roles in scientific research, and project and programme leadership.

Dr Stubbs receives her OBE for her work across many years to develop analytical chemistry methods, which were used to assist during the incidents.

She said:

I am truly humbled by this prestigious honour which I believe proudly recognises the excellence and tireless dedication of Dstl’s Analytical Chemistry team members past and present, and the outstanding impact of our work upon the defence and security of the UK.

Dr Stubbs has worked at Dstl since 2007 as an Analytical Chemist in the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division.

Gary Aitkenhead, Chief Executive at Dstl said:

I offer my warmest congratulations to the recipients. They should be proud that their professionalism and passion has made, and continues to make, an immense impact on our nation’s defence and security

The early May bank holiday in 2020 will move from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day which takes place on 8 May, and enable people to pay tribute to those who served in one of the most significant events in our country’s history, Business Secretary Greg Clark announced today.

The occasion will remember the contribution of British, Commonwealth and Allied armed forces personnel; those who contributed to the war effort and safeguarded the Home Front. As well as marking the Allies’ victory in 1945, the bank holiday will serve as an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in the UK Armed Forces and their families.

Commemorative events will take place over the 3-day weekend across the country, including:

• the Nation’s Toast, where over 20,000 pubs will encourage patrons to raise a glass to the Heroes of World War II
• bagpipers playing the traditional Battle’s O’er at the top of the 4 highest peaks in the UK – Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, Mount Snowdon in Wales, and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland
• bells in churches and cathedrals across the country joining forces in a special Ringing Out for Peace
• local street parties and celebrations across the 3-day weekend

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

VE Day marked an historic moment in not only our nation’s, but the world’s history and it is important that we commemorate this great occasion on its 75th anniversary. Honouring those who did their duty – whether on the battlefields of Europe or through their efforts and sacrifices here at home.

Moving next year’s early May bank holiday to VE Day itself is a right and fitting tribute. It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation.

VE Day was first celebrated on 8 May 1945 when Allied Forces formally accepted Germany’s surrender.

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said:

As we’ve seen over the past week with the D-Day commemorations, the British people truly appreciate the sacrifice made by those who fought for our freedom throughout the Second World War. Moving next year’s Bank Holiday will give us the opportunity to come together to remember and honour those who gave so much to secure our freedom and liberty.

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageant Master of VE Day 75, said:

This amazing event taking place on 8-10 May 2020 provides the perfect opportunity for the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate and commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. It will involve local communities, youth and voluntary organisations, faith groups and individuals paying tribute to the millions who sacrificed so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today.

Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity said:

Acknowledging 75 years since VE Day with a commemorative bank holiday is absolutely fitting. It is our duty to keep the events of the past alive in collective memory, including future generations – this is how we ensure that such a conflict never happens again. It is our hope that the nation takes a moment to reflect on the significance of this date, as a milestone that changed the course of history for the whole world.

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity was proud to have been there supporting men, women and families during the Second World War, and is still here now for the whole Forces community – whenever they need us. We’re honoured to be the official charity partner for VE Day 75 and call on everyone to remember the men and women that fought to defend our freedom.

Early May bank holiday will move in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Bank holidays are a devolved issue in Scotland.

Moving a bank holiday is achieved by a Royal Proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

The Queen has recognised a long list of Scots in her Birthday Honours list this year.