While there will undoubtedly be challenges translating marine environmental legislation, Brexit provides opportunities to better manage our marine environment.

There has been a lot of negative commentary on the potential implications of Brexit for the marine environment, particularly from environment groups and some academics. This is based on a concern that the government might seek to water down its commitment to the environment although this has been strenuously denied by Defra. The government has indicated that it will carry across legislation where practical within the Great Repeal Bill.

While there will undoubtedly be some challenges in translating marine environmental legislation, Brexit also provides opportunities to better manage our marine environment. Notwithstanding 40 years of EU legislation, marine biodiversity continues to decline and we must therefore do better if we are to achieve the government’s objective of being ‘the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than it inherited’.

In our latest White Paper, we explore opportunities Brexit provides for improving the way we manage our marine environment to better achieve sustainable development. The paper has been produced to stimulate debate amongst marine stakeholders and to seek to build consensus around positive changes that will contribute to sustainable development.

Download our White Paper: A Brexit Blueprint of Sustainable Seas