Summary
This submission, coordinated by Prof Chris Hauton of the University of Southampton’s School for Ocean and Earth Science, and contributed to by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) community, lays out a comprehensive blueprint for sustainable ocean policy. It emphasizes building a multidisciplinary, inclusive Blue Economy by valuing maritime trade, fishing, aquaculture, tourism and offshore renewables; reforming spatial planning and consenting to enable co-location of uses; addressing workforce gaps in offshore energy and marine science; upgrading supporting infrastructure such as grid capacity and research vessels; securing raw materials through binding UK strategies; and embedding precautionary, evidence-based conservation in Marine Protected Areas. It also calls for sustained marine observations, open data sharing, and strengthened international leadership, underpinned by robust policy integration, strategic investment, and the Precautionary Principle, to safeguard ocean health and resilience.
Authors
DOSI - Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative
Prof. Fraser Sturt ,
Professor in Maritime Archaeology, Deputy Director of SMMI, University of Southampton
Prof. Gwilym Rowlands ,
Associate Professor for Marine Conservation and Management, University of Southampton
Prof. Jon Copley ,
Professor of Ocean Exploration and Science Communication, University of Southampton
Prof. Justin Dix ,
Professor in Marine Geology & Geophysics, University of Southampton
Prof. Nic Bury ,
Associate Professor of Natural Sciences, the University of Southampton
Prof. Phyllis Lam ,
Associate Professor of Microbial Biogeochemistry, University of Southampton
Dr Lauren Nadler , Lecturer in Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Southampton
Ms Nadiya Catel-Arutyunova ,
Specialist Policy Officer at the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, University of Southampton
