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Ask your Council to declare an urgent need for Ocean Recovery

COP26 has had a raft of Ocean-themed events, showing that the tide is turning on Ocean neglect. With 2021 being the start of the UN Ocean Decade, we want to support local and national governments take action to improve Ocean health.

We are proud to have been part of creating a model for a UK first ‘Ocean Recovery Declaration’, and really pleased to see that Plymouth City Council are the first to officially debate their own version of it.

A model ‘Ocean Recovery Declaration’ – or Motion for the Ocean – seeks to help all local governments #thinkocean and identify ways they can make a difference. The model can be integrated with their climate emergency response, whether they are coastal or inland.

We are asking ALL local Councils to recognise that the world Ocean is a fundamental part of climate regulation and that it must be considered as part of an effective climate emergency response. It is vital to ensure that local Councils commit to supporting a more ecologically healthy sea and to rethink how Ocean is taken into account in planning and decision-making at local level.

After all, every person needs the Ocean to be healthy, wherever they live.

Download the Motion for the Ocean below, and watch the video to find out how you can get involved, whether you are a Councillor or a local person!

Motion for the Ocean – Model MotionDownload

Councils who have passed the Ocean Recovery Motion

Become an active marine citizen and sea the change!

Can you spend some time to help spread the word about this Ocean Recovery Declaration?

  1. Marine citizens – send the model Motion for the Ocean to your local elected Councillors and Cabinet members or committees responsible for environment, planning, waste and education. Ask them to table the Motion at Council and to ask their political groups to support it. Share the Motion with your local political groups, networks and friends to ensure that your Councillors see how much support there is for Ocean Recovery. You can download the model above, or email them the link to this page.
  2. Use #Motion4TheOcean to spread the word.
  3. Councillors – table the model Motion for the Ocean at your Council. Every Council can make changes that help the ocean, whether or not they have a coastline. Help your fellow Members understand how.
  4. Charities and campaigners – endorse the model Motion for Ocean, share it on your websites and with your members, and ask them to become marine citizens by demanding change. Remember #Motion4TheOcean to show your support.

Please share with your local councillor, click here to find who that is.

Find your councillor

About the Motion for the Ocean

This model motion was written by:

  • Dr Pamela Buchan, a marine social scientist specialising in marine citizenship and former Councillor in Plymouth. She is Vice Chair of Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, and duty holder at the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners. 
  • Emily Cunningham, a marine conservation specialist, NAAEE global 30 under 30 for environmental education, Board Member of a leading marine conservation organisation, and who formerly led the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group.
  • Nicola Bridge, the Head of Ocean Advocacy and Engagement at the Ocean Conservation Trust, Chair of the Conservation Education Committee of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), and President of EMSEA (European Marine Science Educators).