Executive Summary
The submission argues that, as the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement passes through Parliament, there is a timely opportunity to examine whether the UK Government has fully considered the current and future cumulative effects of human activity on the ocean, and to support evidence-based, adaptive spatio-temporal marine planning. An inquiry could help assess the current state of knowledge and policy, and articulate a way forward that balances human needs, the ocean economy and job security with climate action, socio-ecological resilience and the health of the marine environment.
The submission has been coordinated by Dr Hugo Putuhena, Research Fellow in Offshore Renewable Energy, University of Southampton, with contributions from:
Contributors:
Prof. Dave White, Professor of Infrastructure Geotechnics, University of Southampton
Prof. Fraser Sturt, Professor in Maritime Archaeology, Director of SMMI, University of Southampton
Prof. Justin Dix, Professor in Marine Geology & Geophysics, University of Southampton
Prof. Martin Solan, Professor of Marine Ecology, University of Southampton
Prof. Susan Gourvenec, Professor of Offshore Geotechnical Engineering, Deputy director of SMMI at University of Southampton and Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies
Ms Nadiya Catel-Arutyunova, Specialist Policy Officer at the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, University of Southampton
