Some of the city’s big hitters were at the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park’s first ever board meeting.
Key players from business, education and the city’s marine sector met for the first time as a board to steer the city and its organisations towards the delivery of a national first - a National Marine Park.
Council leader Tudor Evans OBE said: “This is big. It is a momentous day. This is the start of a five year development plan - a blueprint for the blue space in and around our amazing city - and I am thrilled with the calibre of the people we have on board - on the board.
“We’ve a lot of work to do and some really exciting projects in the pipeline. Our role will be to steer this incredible project so that those who make their living from the sea, who play in the sea or even have no connection to the sea, can benefit from the ocean and greater city connections to it.
Shadow leader Ian Bowyer said: “Plymouth Sound is the lifeblood of our city and our heritage. We want the National Marine Park to shape the future of the ocean economy, creating and protecting jobs. I want us to show good environmental stewardship and opportunities in the wake of Blue Planet 2 and climate change.”
Last September the Council and partners created a ‘Declaration of Intent’ for Britain’s Ocean City to create the UK’s first National Marine Park. Now the board has been formed to ensure that decisions about creating the park are made collaboratively for the benefit of all users and stakeholders. It includes representatives from the Navy, the Council, business sector, community, research and environmental organisations.
Over the next 12 months the board will be responsible for the development and delivery of the National Marine Park programme as it completes a feasibility study and five year business plan. It will involve talking to a lot of people and organisations covering many marine and maritime interests, defence, commercial fishing, angling, marine technology, visitor economy, research, as well as the natural environment.
Professor Richard Thompson OBE, director of the University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute said: “Plymouth Sound provides an unrivalled living laboratory for scientific research. This highly complex body of water encompasses a strategic port, a marine technology test ground, naval base, recreational hub, fisheries and world class marine research.
“The city is the home of marine research, with The Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Plymouth collaborating to advance knowledge and understanding; alongside the National Marine Aquarium - our waters have heritage in scientific discovery and learning.
“Looking forward, the NMP offers an unrivalled opportunity to develop and inform best practice for sustainable economic growth in line with the aspirations of the UN Decade of the Oceans 2021 to 2030.
Chief Executive, City College Plymouth Jackie Grubb added: “The next generation want us to be responsible and considered with our environment. The NMP offers us a way to create grass roots connections with the ocean through formal and informal learning and create new career and health and wellbeing opportunities.”
The board members are:
• Chair: Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans OBE
• Leader of Opposition – Cllr Ian Bowyer
• Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Services – Cllr Sue Dann
• Port – Commodore Peter Coulson
• Business – Chair of Growth Board/ Chamber – Richard Stevens
• Tourism – Chair of Destination Plymouth – Adrian Vinken
• Science and Research – Director of University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute - Professor Richard Thompson OBE
• Environment – Executive Director BLUE – Charles Clover
• Children and Young People – Chief Executive, City College Plymouth – Jackie Grubb.