Consultation on the Principles of Marine Net Gain

Closed 13 Sep 2022

Opened 7 Jun 2022

Contact

Offshore Wind Enabling Actions Programme

Marine Net Gain

offshorewind@defra.gov.uk

Overview

The Government’s response to the 2018 terrestrial Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) consultation confirmed the intention to develop and consult on an appropriate regime for the marine environment which builds on commitments in Defra’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

Broadly speaking, marine net gain aims to put the marine environment into recovery. It will do so by requiring that all in-scope developments leave the environment in a better state than before, and thereby firmly embed environmental improvement into the heart of infrastructure planning and delivery.

This consultation takes forward this work and the responses will help inform more detailed policy development. This consultation will apply only to development in the English inshore and offshore region.

Why your views matter

This consultation seeks views from all interested parties on the proposed principles of marine net gain. We are particularly keen to hear from marine industries, recreational marine users, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and conservationists, academics, and coastal communities.  

We need your views and evidence to help us understand the unique nature of the marine environment, to ensure the regime we develop is fit for purpose.

Submitted views and evidence will help to shape the future of this policy and any associated guidance. 

What happens next

At the end of the consultation period, we will summarise the responses and place the summary of responses on GOV.uk. 

Information and comments submitted through the consultation will be used to inform and further develop the policy to ensure it is feasible for delivery in the marine environment.

The UK government will publish its response to this consultation in line with current guidance. 

Audiences

  • Charities/Voluntary Organisations
  • Environmental campaigners
  • Animal welfare campaigners
  • All Marine Users
  • Government Departments
  • Devolved Administrations
  • Coastal Members of Parliament
  • Coastal local authorities
  • Coastal Management sector
  • Aggregates sector
  • Energy sector
  • Industries and professional services
  • Ports and Harbour Authorities and Estuaries
  • Water/water Industry sector
  • IFCAs
  • Angling Organisations and Trade
  • Fishing Focus individual recipients
  • Environmental professional services
  • Households
  • Local Authorities
  • Commercial Fisheries Organisations
  • Fisheries Producer Organisations
  • Business/Private Sector
  • Policy Teams
  • All Defra staff and ALBs
  • Non-Government Organisation
  • Member of the General Public
  • Fishermen
  • Leisure industry
  • Shellfish Cultivators
  • Environmental Health Officers
  • Consultants
  • Stakeholders

Interests

  • Natural environment
  • Local nature partnerships
  • Biodiversity
  • Animals
  • Climate change
  • Green infrastructure
  • Ecosystems services
  • Green economy
  • Sustainable development
  • Flooding
  • Marine
  • Marine Conservation Zones
  • Marine licensing
  • Common Fisheries Policy
  • Fish stocks
  • Shellfish
  • Sea angling
  • Water quality
  • Noise
  • Local environments
  • Science
  • Conservation
  • Marine Conservation
  • Consultations
  • DEFRA Policy
  • Policy and Delivery
  • Marine fisheries
  • Shellfish
  • Access to countryside and coast
  • Rural economy and communities
  • Conservation
  • Recreational sector
  • Protecting wildlife
  • Non-native species
  • Whales and dolphins