Ocean 'at centre of decision making’

A MOTION calling on Portsmouth City Council to do more to consider environmental issues related to the ocean was unanimously agreed by councillors on Tuesday.

Proposed by councillors Rob New and Daniel Wemyss, the 'ocean recovery' motion requires the council to consider the issue in every decision it makes and to increase educational opportunities for children.

'In Portsmouth, like the rest of planet, we are witnessing the ocean crisis first-hand,' it said. 'Fish stocks continue to collapse from permitted and illegal overfishing and poor water quality is impacting seafood and safe bathing.

'Our beaches are covered in litter with each tide, much of it plastic, though this is just the tip of the iceberg of the amount of litter which has ended up in our oceans.

'Our residents are on the frontline of climate change and are being disproportionately impacted relative to inland communities.'