A new report from the New Economics Foundation [an independent think tank, specialising in innovative economic thinking, with renewable and sustainable solutions that work for the environment] marks the launch of a UK-wide initiative to deliver stronger economies for UK coastal communities and restore the health of the marine environment:
- Good jobs and environmental sustainability are linked: improved management of our coastal and marine assets will create new, good jobs and boost struggling communities. NEF analysis shows that better management of UK fish stocks could create 4,922 new jobs’
- Coastal environments can support more than tourism: a healthy coast will have benefits for key coastal industries including renewable energy and fisheries and the wellbeing of local communities.
- Transformation in Scotland is already underway: case studies show innovative and sustainable approaches are already taking place in Scotland and across the UK – such as a community led project on the Isle of Arran, promoting better protection of the marine environment to the benefit of people and the economy.
- Coastal actors from across the UK are already on board: the Blue New Deal project [which aims to deliver stronger economies for UK coastal communities through a healthier marine environment] will unite environmental goals with those of local communities and entrepreneurs.
The absence of social and environmental goals in key coastal and marine industries over the years has placed undue pressure on coastal economies, communities and the environment.
The Blue New Deal initiative, led by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) calls for a transformation of our approach to managing the UK’s wealth of marine assets. The project will show how coastal areas can be revitalised to deliver good jobs and economic sustainability for coastal communities in the future.
Fernanda Balata, Project Lead in Coastal and Marine Environment at the New Economics Foundation, says: ‘As an island nation, the UK has access to a considerable wealth of natural resources. But our failure to properly manage them has told a story of unfulfilled potential — fewer jobs, lower revenues, unnecessary public costs, and unsustainable coastal economies. We want to deliver more and better jobs for coastal communities and the marine environment plays a key role to help achieve that.
‘Over the next year, we will work with actors across the UK to identify solutions and practical measures to improve the health of our marine and coastal ecosystems to address these challenges. There are great examples of innovative and sustainable approaches already happening around the UK coast — we need to put in place the incentives and policies to encourage action on a national scale.’
Howard Wood, Chair and Co-Founder of COAST [Community of Arran Seabed Trust] says: ‘The COAST initiative on the Isle of Arran is built around the concept that if the marine environment thrives, then everyone dependent on it will too. The Lamlash Bay No Take Zone is recovering well and this success is expected to have a positive effect on the surrounding waters, benefiting scallop divers and creelers that work within the newly created South Arran MPA. It also helps generate many tens of thousands of pounds for the local economy.
‘The need to restore marine habitats and properly manage these ecosystems for the benefit of society and the economy is not unique to The Clyde. What’s really exciting is that other groups across the country are waking up to the huge potential of our marine environment. The Blue New Deal is a welcome initiative to build on and strengthen this momentum.’
The Blue New Deal identifies five key policy areas that offer the opportunity to respond to the different socio-economic and environmental challenges that the UK’s coastal communities currently face. These policy areas are:
- sustainable fisheries and aquaculture;
- innovative coastal management;
- renewable energy;
- responsible tourism;
- re-connecting people with nature.
Over the next year, NEF will work with several partners – from local councils and national government departments, to entrepreneurs and industry representatives – to develop a nationwide action plan.
There are several examples of regional approaches that are already working across the UK. From investment in renewable energy to innovative management of our coastal environment, the following projects demonstrate that it is possible to create more jobs and support sustainable business through a healthier marine environment. Some examples are:
- Marine conservation – COAST [Community of Arran Seabed Trust] – community led project promoting better protection of the marine environment to the benefit of people and the economy.
- Renewable energy – Tidal Energy Ltd. Pembrokeshire in Southwest Wales – new tidal energy initiative to create new jobs and power 10,000 homes by 2017.
- Innovative coastal management – Medmerry Realignment Scheme, in West Sussex – innovative coastal defence has saved £300,000 in taxpayers’ money each year and enabled year round business opportunities by protecting environment and town infrastructure from flooding.
- Sustainable business – The Venus Company, in multiple locations in Southwest England – thriving chain of beachside cafes putting environmental and social considerations at heart to create sustainable employment.
