Take a deep breath - inhale and exhale. Now take a 2nd breath - this breath was produced by marine plants in the ocean. From the air that we breathe to the fish that we eat and the jobs, other goods and services that the ocean provides, we all rely on the ocean for life and are more deeply connected to it than many of us know. Unfortunately, this same ocean which greatly supports us faces a multitude of threats including overfishing, pollution (land based sources including agricultural runoff, wastewater, plastic) and climate change. 

Overfishing - Regulations 

In order to deal with overfishing, regulations surrounding fisheries would be very useful. For example, management measures such as size limits (for dolphin fish), area and seasonal closures as well as bans on destructive methods of fishing such as seine nets and take of parrotfish could work. There needs to be greater support for sustainable fisheries and responsible fisherfolk.  

Marine Managed Areas

A great step towards rebuilding our nearshore reef fisheries as well as ensuring that we have a tourism product would be creating marine managed areas. When will Carlisle Bay be designated a MMA? When will the proposed extension of the BMMA from Weston to Cacrabank happen? When it does, we must look at enforcement! I would also like to see enforcement for anchor damage from boats, illegal fishing/spearfishing in Folkestone and the list goes on. 

We must support a blue economy with our oceans, fisheries, coral reefs and coastal zone being prioritised so that they can continue to support and provide ecological, environmental and health goods and services including supporting livelihoods. Did you know that over 70% of the oxygen that you breathe is produced by the ocean? What about the protection that coral reefs afford our coastline? Or that our tourism product heavily relies on our marine resources? Or that we import over 80% of the fish that we consume? Or that the ocean provides thousands of jobs? What about being prepared for effects of climate change and increasing intensity of hurricanes? 

No corals, no fish, no beaches, no tourism! 

Land based sources of Pollution

Regulations to reduce run off from land (such as pesticides from agriculture, wastewater such as sewage) as these greatly damage our nearshore water quality. 

What is the current state of Graeme Hall? This is the last existing mangrove wetland in the island. 

Misc

-Before the idea of offshore islands is developed , what is the status of Pierhead Marina or the Sugar Point cruise terminal? Why did these not move forward? How can we learn from these experiences as well as others before progressing? I would like to see thorough impact assessments conducted for these islands as well as for coastal construction and development. 

-Continue to work on fixing major issues in the port including the length of time it takes to clear anything. 

-Continue to research the development of renewable energy placing focus on tidal and wind energy 

-support to the bioeconomy 

Submitted by Nikola Simpson