The Bill was not mentioned in the Queen's Speech in November, and will now be the subject of a White Paper expected this March. Legislation is now likely to be completed in the third Parliamentary session of 2007/08.
The Marine Conservation Society has expressed disappointment that the Government had 'broken its promise to draft a Marine Bill during the current parliamentary session'.
It is also concerned that the Government may not now back the idea of a series of marine reserves designated as complete no-take zones. Only one statutory no-take reserve exists, at Lundy Island, off Wales. |
