Speeches by Blake.

“That is very helpful. Do either of the other witnesses want to comment on that?”

“Do you think that there needs to be more joining up between different plans, basically, within government?”

“Are there any industries that you feel are not fully involved in the discussions covering marine spatial planning? I am thinking about recreational organisations, perhaps.”

“A very good point made, and it links to my next question. Are the economic, social and environmental and scientific demands on the marine environment adequately balanced in the context of marine spatial planning? That is obviously a context here. Do you think that the current system has the correct balance? I will star…”

“That is an interesting example. You have hinted at this, but what would be the immediate environmental impact of a complete ban?”

“You say that there is a bit of a mixed view about why the activity is still allowed within the UK MPAs. Can you explore that a bit more for me?”

“First, a question to Mr Cunningham. There is a vigorous campaign at present to ban bottom trawling in UK marine protected areas, on the basis that there is pretty good evidence that this type of fishing is environmentally damaging. Can you explain to us what sort of damage this practice does to the UK marine environmen…”

“Ms Godwin, do you feel that that example has helped industry to know what is coming down the track?”

“I have a scientific background, and my personal view is that Government quite often do not realise that science is sometimes a continuing debate. They will get one paper and say, “That is the one”, but science is an iterative process.”

“Do you think that policymakers and regulators are getting the right information to be able to make good quality decisions about species that migrate?”

“A final question, because I am aware of time. Do you think that the information that allows policymakers and regulators to make decisions is the right information and of adequate quality? Do you think the guidance that is produced provides sufficient protection for the species that migrate?”

“Are there any specific mechanisms that you think would be helpful to ensure that flexibility and adaptability?”

“As the marine environment changes, how can the UK ensure that it is providing protection to species that may be displaced or migrate to different areas than they would ordinarily live in—for example, if they migrate north to waters that become warmer?”

“This is a strange question. How will you make sure that species are not wrongly deemed as invasive because they are moving? How do you maintain protection if they are new to someone’s environment, and they are eating something that you are concerned about protecting? How do you keep up with nature to make sure that we …”

“Thank you very much.”

“Thank you. That is useful.”

“I will ask quickly about workforce, given that you have been explaining this as infrastructure. Do you think that we understand the workforce that is needed to improve monitoring and maintenance of these areas, or do you think that is a question for another day?”

“May I quickly ask one more?”

“That is very helpful. Do either of the other witnesses want to comment on that?”

“Are there any industries that you feel are not fully involved in the discussions covering marine spatial planning? I am thinking about recreational organisations, perhaps.”