The Science and Technology Committee has announced a new Committee inquiry into Marine Science with evidence due by noon on Wednesday 19 September 2012.
The committee writes:
On 9 October 2007, the Science and Technology Committee published the report, Investigating the Oceans, recommending that the Government should develop a strategy for marine science.
The Government then created the Marine Science Co-ordination Committee (MSCC) that prepared the 2012 Marine Science Strategy. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 created the Marine Management Organisation and the Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) designation.
Terms of Reference
The Committee seeks submissions on the following matters:
1. Since 2007 has there been improved strategic oversight and coordination of marine science?
2. What progress has been made in delivering the 2010 Marine Science Strategy?
3. How effective have the Marine Science Co-ordination Committee (MSCC) and Marine Management Organisation been, and what improvements could be made?
4. Has the selection of proposed Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) been based on robust scientific evidence? How well has the scientific evidence been balanced with socio-economic considerations and communicated to affected coastal communities?
5. How effectively does the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) support marine science in polar and non-polar regions?
6. How well are the current and potential impacts of global warming on the oceans (for example temperature changes and acidification) being monitored and addressed by Government and others?
The Committee invites written submissions on these issues by noon on Wednesday 19 September 2012.
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