UK marine strategy part one. Updated assessment and good environmental status
Publication Year
2026
Document Status
Current
Abstract
Sets out how Good Environmental Status (GES) will be achieved in the UK's marine waters over the next 6 years. GES involves protecting the marine environment, preventing its deterioration and restoring it where practical, while using marine resources sustainably. Covers three areas: updated assessment of the state of the UK's seas; high level objectives for GES; and detailed GES targets and indicators of GES which will be used to measure progress toward achieving GES in the UK's seas.
Document History
Supersedes: Marine strategy part one: UK updated assessment and good environmental status (DEFRA, 2019). Document type: policy paper. First published: 7 April 2026. Jointly published by: DEFRA, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government.
Publisher Information
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is a UK Government department. They are committed to tackling climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and work to secure a healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment. This work has formerly been carried out by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of the Environment.
