Island Plan 2022-25: Approval (P.36/2021) – fifty-first amendment (P.36/2021 Amd.(51) – amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

ISLAND PLAN 2022-25: APPROVAL (P.36/2021) – FIFTY-FIRST AMENDMENT (P.36/2021 AMD.(51) – AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 14th February 2022 by Senator L.J. Farnham

Earliest date for debate: 14th March 2022

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.36 Amd.(51)Amd.

ISLAND PLAN 2022-25: APPROVAL (P.36/2021)– FIFTY-FIRST

AMENDMENT (P.36/2021 AMD.(51)) – AMENDMENT

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1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –

After the words "marine protected areas" insert the words "within a National Marine Park, to cover at least 30 per cent of Jersey's territorial waters by 2025,".

SENATOR L.J. FARNHAM

Note:  After this amendment, the fifty-first amendment would read as follows –

After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except that, within Strategic Proposal 3 –

1. after the words "Marine Spatial Plan" there should be inserted the words "before 2025";
2. after the words "Jersey's territorial waters" there should be inserted the words ", and in particular, to develop a network of marine protected areas within aNational Marine Park, to cover at least 30 per cent of Jersey's territorial watersby 2025, which will"; and
3. after the words "economic and social objectives." there should be inserted the words "In addition to the Marine Spatial Planning process, Jersey's existing designated areas (Ramsar sites and Marine Protected Areas), as well as known areas of high-biodiversity and carbon value, extending approximately down to the 20m depth contour, should be protected via the designation of a national marine park. Such an area will be expected to cover approximately 900km2, over 30% of Jersey's territorial waters, and its designation will protect the area against inappropriate development and damaging activities."".

2  PAGE 2 –

After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except that, within Policy NE1 –

1. in the second paragraph the word "that" should be deleted and the word "importance" should be replaced with "protection"; and
2. after the words "Ramsar sites" there should be inserted the words "and areas of highest terrestrial and marine biodiversity, the latter extending approximately to the 20m depth contour."'".

3  PAGE 2 –

After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except that, within Policy NE3 –

1. after the words "and its setting," there should be included the words "including high value marine habitats";
2. after the words "development within" there should be included the words "these areas";
3. after the words "protect or improve" there should be included the word "their";
4. after the words "of the park" should be included the words "and marine areas";
5. within sub-paragraph a. after the first paragraph, after the words "heritage of the park" there should be included the words "and marine areas"; and
6. within sub-paragraph b. after the first paragraph, after the words "and enjoyment of" there should be included the word "their"".

4 PAGE 2 –

After the words "the draft Island Plan 2022-25" insert the words "except that the draft Island Plan 2022-25 should be further amended in such respects as may be necessary consequent to the adoption of the amendments to Strategic Proposal 3, Policy NE1 and Policy NE3."

After the fifty-first amendment, as amended by this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to approve, in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002, as amended by the Covid-19 (Island Plan) (Jersey) Regulations 2021, the draft Island Plan 2022-25, except that –

1.  within Strategic Proposal 3 -

1. after the words "Marine Spatial Plan" there should be inserted the words "before2025";
2. after the words "Jersey's territorial waters" there should be inserted the words", and in particular, to develop a network of marine protected areas within aNational Marine Park, to cover at least 30 per cent of Jersey's territorial watersby 2025, which will"; and
3. after the words "economic and social objectives." there should be inserted the words "In addition to the Marine Spatial Planning process, Jersey's existing designated areas (Ramsar sites and Marine Protected Areas), as well as known areas of high-biodiversity and carbon value, extending approximately down to the 20m depth contour, should be protected via the designation of a nationalmarine park. Such an area will be expected to cover approximately 900km[2],over 30% of Jersey's territorial waters, and its designation will protect the area against inappropriate development and damaging activities."

1. in the second paragraph the word "that" should be deleted and the word"importance" should be replaced with "protection"; and
2. after the words "Ramsar sites" there should be inserted the words "and areas ofhighest terrestrial and marine biodiversity, the latter extending approximatelyto the 20m depth contour."'

3. within Policy NE3 –

1. after the words "and its setting," there should be included the words "including high value marine habitats";
2. after the words "development within" there should be included the words "theseareas";
3. after the words "protect or improve" there should be included the word "their";
4. after the words "of the park" should be included the words "and marine areas";
5. within sub-paragraph a. after the first paragraph, after the words "heritage of the park" there should be included the words "and marine areas"; and
6. within sub-paragraph b. after the first paragraph, after the words "and enjoyment of" there should be included the word "their"

4. the draft Island Plan 2022-25 should be further amended in such respects as may be necessary consequent to the adoption of the amendments to Strategic Proposal3, Policy NE1 and Policy NE3.

REPORT

This  Amendment  to  Amendment  51  accepts  the  inspector's  recommendations  of developing a Marine Spatial plan by 2025 including a network of marine protected areas within Jersey waters, which are supported by the minister, and goes on to add two things by way of clarification:

1. To designate marine protected areas covering at least 30 per cent of Jersey's waters by 2025. Jersey would thereby be aligning itself with the Global Ocean Alliance's target of 30 per cent ocean protected, as the scientifically accepted minimum for reducing the accelerating loss of biodiversity and protecting the ocean's vital ecosystems. Jersey's closest neighbours, France and the UK are both members of the Alliance. By protecting an area of at least 30 per cent of its waters, Jersey will also be maximising its potential to achieve its carbon neutrality goals by 2030, through the protection of its essential blue carbon habitats.
2. To request that the current and future network of marine protected areas would constitute a national marine park, which would mark out Jersey's international reputation as a leader in marine conservation and enable the island to become recognised as one of the best and most accessible eco-tourism destinations.

Financial and manpower implications

It is envisaged that the work required by this amendment would be covered by the existing Island Plan and Marine Resources teams and within the currently allocated budget as it relates to a strategic proposal already included in the Bridging island plan. Where this is not the case, and for any additional funding or officer support, a bid for resources should be made through the Government Plan process, to enable the delivery of the strategic proposal.

Child Rights Impact Assessment review

This amendment has been assessed in relation to the  Bridging Island Plan CRIA. Protection of our coastal waters is in the best interests of our children – this is the development of a sustainable and ecologically robust area that will be safeguarded for their futures. The provision of a marine park would be in keeping with the terms of the UNCRC, promoting, in particular, Article 31 (Leisure, play and Culture), which speaks to children's rights to relax and play, and Article 24 (Health) which speaks to a clean environment for children to grow up in.