Policy paper

Marine environment: unexploded ordnance clearance joint interim position statement

This is a joint interim position statement about the clearance of unexploded ordnances in the marine environment.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Marine Management Organisation, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, The Scottish Government
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Natural Resources Wales, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland), Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning, and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Published
16 November 2021
Last updated
13 January 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Scotland

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Marine environment: unexploded ordnance clearance joint interim position statement

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Increasing development in the marine environment is leading to the discovery of a greater number of undetonated munitions.

Clearance of unexploded ordnance is commonly undertaken by high order detonation which leads to loud blasts and disturbs protected marine mammals.

Considering new ways to clear unexploded ordnance could reduce noise levels and improve the protection of the UK marine environment.

The UK government is committed to protecting our seas and achieving good environmental status through the UK Marine Strategy, including reducing noise levels through the associated underwater noise target.

Recognising that clarity on the use of alternative technologies is needed whilst awaiting the results of ongoing trials, a joint interim position statement has been developed.

Published 16 November 2021
Last updated 13 January 2022 + show all updates

  1. Natural Resources Wales has now endorsed the statement.

  2. We have updated the statement to reflect that Marine Scotland and NatureScot have now signed up to the UXO position statement.

  3. First published.

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