The government has today launched its strategy for the conservation and sustainable development of the marine environment.

The document, "Safeguarding our seas", sets out a framework for action to save the marine environment, including a pilot scheme in the Irish Sea, as the next stage of the review of marine nature conservation and extra protection for species and habitats under threat.

Forum Response: English Nature

Paul Knapman, fisheries policy officer at English Nature, told ePolitix.com: "There are few policies that have such a profound impact on the marine environment. Fish stocks are on the brink of collapse, species such as dolphin and porpoise are being killed at unsustainable levels and deep water fisheries are being subsidised without any regard to their devastating impact on the marine environment.

"The UK government has taken a strong stand on the Common Fisheries Policy and we expect this will be reflected in their strategy. However, we are very concerned that negotiations at a European level will result in essential management measures being lost."