23 October 2012
Commons Science & Technology Committee Review - Marine Science and Other Issues
The Terms of Reference for this committees work include the MCZ decision, MMO activities and their links to marine science. The time for written submissions ended in September but the report should make interesting reading. The terms of reference questions included: Since 2007 has there been improved strategic oversight and coordination of marine science? What progress has been made in delivering the 2010 Marine Science Strategy? How effective have the Marine Science Co-ordination Committee (MSCC) and Marine Management Organisation been, and what improvements could be made? Has the selection of proposed Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) been based on robust scientific evidence? How well has the scientific evidence been balanced with socio-economic considerations and communicated to affected coastal communities? How effectively does the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) support marine science in polar and non-polar regions? How well are the current and potential impacts of global warming on the oceans (for example temperature changes and acidification) being monitored and addressed by Government and others? For more details read on.
