• World Oceans Day 2020 is a chance for us to celebrate our magnificent and fragile oceans
• We need a commitment from government to protecting our oceans through National Marine Parks
• Luke responded the government’s report on Highly Protected Marine areas, but says it’s lacking recommendations on where to put these.

Luke Pollard MP said:

“The Government published their review into Highly Protected Marine Areas today. It’s a welcome contribution but it failed to offer a shortlist of sites to be considered and Ministers have not set out a process to get there.

“We cannot allow marine protection to be put on the back burner because of the virus. If we have learnt anything from the virus it must be that we have to build back better and that means greener and cleaner. Our coastal waters are a precious haven for a wonderful variety of life and it is where thousands of people depend upon for their livelihoods.

“I have been a vocal champion of the fishing industry in Plymouth. I want to sea a truly sustainable industry but that means fishing must be economically sustainable for those who rely on it for their livelihoods and also environmentally sustainable too. If we overfish or destroy habitats we risk the health of our seas and the incomes of those who rely on that health too.

“In Plymouth I’m proud that we have the UK’s first National Marine Park. Rolling these out around the country is Labour policy and I am pleased that we have a success story here in our city about how protections and jobs can work hand in hand. I would personally like to see the National Marine Park complemented by having the UK’s newest Highly Protected Marine Area in Wembury Bay. The only thing stopping us is political will of Ministers. I will work cross-party with anyone keen on protecting jobs and habitats.

“It was lovely to get out of the house and up to the Hoe. Plymouth is a truly wonderful backdrop for a report on marine protection. As we slowly unlock please go safely and maintain social distancing. It will save lives.”