Member

Amendment 28 would require the commissioners to pay particular regard to maintaining the seabed in good condition, especially in respect of biodiversity and the organic storage of carbon, when exercising their duties under the 1961 Act. While the Government wholeheartedly support the spirit behind these amendments, we also support the existing regulations and legislation, which already give widespread and balanced protection to the seabed. The UK Marine Strategy Regulations 2010, which apply UK wide, place a duty on the Secretary of State and devolved policy authorities to achieve good environment status across the UK marine area. “Good environment status” is defined as