Party conferences 2026: Our asks to governments
2 minute read
As our teams prepare for the annual party conferences, our new Ocean Security Report outlines how a healthy ocean underpins our economic, environmental and food security.
Our key asks to governments:
1. Economic security: Invest in marine natural capital as infrastructure.
The UK has a major opportunity to prioritise ocean regeneration as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
We urge governments to:
- Embed marine natural capital into public funding decisions, infrastructure planning and project assessments, recognising that healthy marine ecosystems are valuable assets that deliver economic and social benefits.
- Deliver a joined-up Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy across UK nations to provide a clear framework for sustainable growth at sea and unlock investment through innovative finance mechanisms such as blue bonds.
2. Energy security: Put Marine Spatial Planning at the heart of the offshore energy transition.
The UK needs a strategic, ecosystem-led approach to managing marine space to ensure that energy development works alongside ocean regeneration. We urge governments to:
- Adopt national holistic Marine Spatial Planning frameworks, joined up across the UK, that put healthy seas at the heart of decision-making.
- This will ensure that marine space is strategically allocated to balance our energy needs whilst supporting ocean regeneration and low-impact fisheries and aquaculture practices.
Seagrass under Bembridge Lifeboat Station
Image credit: Theo Vickers
3. Food security: Support sustainable seafood
Healthy marine ecosystems are essential for resilient seafood supplies. Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, alongside informed consumer choices, strengthen our food security and coastal economies.
We urge governments to:
- Use the Good Fish Guide across the UK to promote sustainable seafood choices across procurement, retail and supply chains.
- End unsustainable fishing and aquaculture practices, phasing out methods that have the greatest impact on marine habitats and ecosystems.
- Support a fair transition to low-impact fishing practices to secure the future of sustainable fisheries.
4. Coastal security: Enable ocean regeneration at scale
Coastal communities depend on healthy seas for prosperity, protection and resilience. Ocean regeneration can restore natural systems, strengthen coastal resilience and create new opportunities for the people and places that depend on healthy seas.
We urge governments to:
- Establish co-ordinated national programmes of ocean regeneration, supported by long-term funding and improved marine licensing.
- Strengthen water legislation across the UK to tackle hidden chemical pollution and microplastics. Any forthcoming legislation should mandate monitoring of PFAS and microplastics, enforce the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and prioritise investment that prevents pollution at source.
- Create long-term pathways for ocean regeneration jobs and skills, supporting place-based employment and community stewardship
