MPs demand reform of UK marine governance to empower local voices
Parliamentary committee backs Exeter-led research calling for citizen rights in marine decision-making
Coastal communities could gain a stronger voice over decisions that affect their seas, as a cross-party committee of MPs calls for reforms to the UK’s fragmented marine governance system. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has drawn on my evidence in its new report, which urges government to introduce a national framework for stakeholder participation by January 2026.
Published on 5 June, the report calls for earlier and more meaningful involvement of underrepresented coastal communities and voices in decisions on everything from offshore wind farms to marine protected areas. It warns that current systems are overly technocratic with limited opportunities for public input into marine planning.
“Even for those most highly engaged marine citizens, there is little opportunity to be involved in UK marine governance … and a sense of disempowerment to influence marine decision-making”
Dr Pamela Buchan, in written evidence to the Committee
My submission highlights the legal obligation to enable public participation under international agreements including the Aarhus Convention and UN Human Rights Council Resolution 48/13. I note that the UK’s marine governance system is fragmented and disempowering, and that social impacts are often scoped out of marine planning processes.
Through research projects with the Marine Management Organisation, The Crown Estate, and local authorities, I have proposed practical reforms to improve representation and embed social sustainability. An example of practical approach is the ‘Motion for the Ocean’, a civic initiative I ounded that has now been adopted by 34 local councils representing nearly 4.5 million people across the UK. The initiative was recently presented at the One Ocean Science Congress 2025 as part of the UN Ocean Decade programme.
The Committee highlights concerns around poor stakeholder engagement and fragmented governance, warning that these issues risk undermining effective marine decision-making. It cites evidence of insufficient time, resources and appropriate expertise given to community consultation and involvement, which could undermine community support for marine policies that deliver public good.
“Engaging stakeholders in a meaningful way is essential to ensure that decisions are inclusive, transparent, and responsive to both environmental and societal needs. ... Poor stakeholder engagement leads to the risk of the Government taking decisions without a full understanding of the consequences.”
The Committee’s key recommendations
A comprehensive stakeholder engagement framework by January 2026
Clear leadership to coordinate public engagement across marine governance
Investment in capacity and expertise to support inclusive participation
Greater transparency around the impacts of marine decisions on coastal communities
The timely release of the Committee’s report coincides with the UN Ocean Conference (9–13 June) in Nice, where efforts to embed equity, participation and justice into ocean governance are centre stage. My research has helped shape global thinking on inclusive approaches to marine sustainability, including through my contributions the UN Ocean Decade Challenges 9 and 10.
