Agreement to protect marine wildlife

A NEW agreement has been signed between the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) and the UK’s leading conservation charity, The Wildlife Trusts, to help protect marine wildlife in UK waters. The agreement takes the form of a Memorandum of Understanding that commits both parties to work together to increase their knowledge of the marine environment in an effort to help conserve it.

Working with BMAPA, The Wildlife Trusts want to ensure that the marine environment, which supports over 50% of the UK’s biodiversity, is managed in a sustainable manner. The agreement will help ensure that as much as possible is known about the effects of human activities, such as aggregate extraction, fishing and leisure pursuits, on marine life and how to minimize their impacts.

Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate wherever possible to: promote the aims of marine stewardship; participate in appropriate research of mutual benefit; share relevant knowledge; jointly disseminate information; and promote best practice.

Martin Spray, acting director general of The Wildlife Trusts, said of the partnership: ‘Conservation of our marine environment can only be achieved by key stakeholders working together to share skills, knowledge and resources. This Memorandum of Understanding proves that industry and environmentalists can find common ground.’

BMAPA chairman Barry Dennett added: ‘This agreement is a public declaration that BMAPA represents a responsible group that recognizes the importance of partnerships in helping to reduce the impacts of industry on marine life.’

Over the next three years the two organizations will explore further ways of sharing knowledge and expertise to increase their understanding of the marine environment, including research into the effects of dredging activities on marine biodiversity.