Asked by: Lord Haworth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the consultation process about extending marine protection measures around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has been completed; what additional measures for its Marine Protected Area are envisaged; and when they are expected to be implemented.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands sustainable-use Marine Protected Area (MPA) underwent its first 5-yearly review during 2018. The MPA review panel published its report on 7 November, concluding that the current MPA is achieving its objectives, whilst also making a series of recommendations to further strengthen protection of the Territory's waters. The Commissioner for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands announced, on 12 December, a suite of environmental enhancements to the MPA. These include extending the MPA across the entire maritime area; protecting 23 per cent of the MPA to all commercial fishing activities; and prohibiting mining, hydrocarbon extraction and carriage of heavy fuel oil. The majority of these measures have put in place; the remaining measures are in the process of being implemented by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Asked by: Lord Haworth (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to announce the conclusions to the consultation process about extending marine protection measures around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; and whether further legislation is required to bring about any such protections.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary met with the Environment Secretary, scientists and representatives of environmental non-governmental organisations on 29 January to discuss options for future protective measures around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. No final decision has been made whilst consideration is given to the consequences of the options available. An announcement will be made in due course.