Ask your Council to declare an urgent need for Ocean Recovery! We are proud to have been part of creating the model for a UK first ‘Ocean Recovery Declaration’ or Motion for the Ocean.
It is the UN Ocean Decade and the tide is turning on Ocean neglect. Our Ocean and climate are in a state of emergency, and whilst many local authorities have already declared a climate emergency, the Ocean is still missing from many of our climate action plans. We want to support local and national governments take action to improve Ocean health.
A model ‘Ocean Recovery Declaration’ – or Motion for the Ocean – seeks to help ALL local governments recognise that the world’s 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.
The following councils have declared an urgent need for Ocean recovery using a locally adapted Motion for the Ocean:
- Plymouth City Council, 22 November 2021 – Motion
- Falmouth Town Council, 10 January 2022 – Motion
- South Tyneside Council, 13 January 2022 – Motion
- North Norfolk District Council, 9 February 2022 – Motion
- North Devon Council, 23 February 2022 – Motion
- Monmouthshire County Council, 3 March 2022 – Motion
- Devon County Council, 9 March 2022 – Motion
- Seaton with Slingley Parish Council, 16 March 2022 – Motion
- Seaham Town Council, 22 March 2022 – Motion
- Torridge District Council, 6 June 2022 – Motion
- Portsmouth City Council, 17 May 2022 – Motion
- Blandford Forum Town Council, 25 July 2022 – Motion
- Teignbridge District Council, 26 July 2022 – Motion
- Local Government Association, 29 September 2022
- Blackpool Council, 5 December 2022 – Motion
- Isle of Wight, 19 July 2023
- Canterbury City Council, 20 July 2023
- North Somerset Council, 19 September 2023 – Motion
- Havant Borough Council, 20 September 2023 – Motion
- Newark and Sherwood District Council, 17 October 2023 – Motion
- Lewes District Council, 20 November 2023 – Motion
- Cornwall County Council, 28 November 2023
Become an active marine citizen and sea the change!
Can you spend some time to help spread the word about this Ocean Recovery Declaration?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Use #Motion4TheOcean to spread the word and show your support!
Please share with your local councillor.
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).