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Written question asked by Kerry McCarthy (Labour) on Monday, 17 May 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 May 2021 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Thursday, 20 May 2021. A substantive answer was provided by Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative) on Friday, 21 May 2021 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

UK Seabed Resources: Deep Sea Mining

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his Department's sponsorship of UK Seabed Resources for deep sea mining exploration with (a) global ocean conservation and (b) the Government's commitment to protecting at least 30 per cent of global oceans by 2030.

Answer

The UK is a global leader in protecting the seas, the ocean and our marine life - and works with stakeholders in the UK and partners overseas to help achieve these aims. The UK will be an ambitious participant in the Super Year 2021. We continue to nurture and grow the Blue Belt Programme of large marine protected areas around the British Overseas Territories, which amount now to a protected area larger than India. We are about to launch our new £500 million Blue Planet fund to support a broad range of activities to protect and restore precious marine ecosystems. And we have been leading the Global Ocean Alliance of countries committed to protecting at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030.

As a part of our belief in strong multilateral action on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, we will continue to support the requirement for the highest possible environmental standards for the regulation of any deep sea mining which happens in future in areas beyond national jurisdictions.

The licences issued to UK Seabed Resources Ltd include significant conditions in relation to environmental considerations, including sections on protection of the environment and environmental monitoring & reporting. In addition, the licences are issued in line with prevailing legislation which provides further environmental safeguards.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2226
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Marine environment UK Seabed Resources Deep sea mining
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk