Western Morning News (Saturday)
Seaside life ‘good for our well-being’
Government-backed report endorses health benefits of the coast
LIVING by the sea is good for our health and well-being, giving hundreds of thousands of Westcountry residents a head start over people whose homes are elsewhere.
The findings come in a major new report endorsed by government, and researched with data from Exeter University and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML). It found that living alongside marine and coastal areas or regularly visiting them was associated with higher levels of calmness, relaxation and revitalisation, compared to locations without this status.
The project, which analysed evidence gathered over a large number of studies, put the spotlight on the value of a high quality maritime environment for the people who live alongside it and visit it.
Environmental campaigners hope the findings will help to inform future government policy around marine protection.
Dr Rebecca Shellock, who carried out the research as part of her PhD at PML and the University of Exeter, said the study was “a useful reference document for policy and decision-makers.”
Taunton MP and Defra Minister Rebecca Pow said the findings demonstrated the importance of maintaining and expanding the UK’s ‘Blue Belt’ of protected maritime zones.
IT’S true: Protecting the coast and the sea is not only good for marine life – it’s good for our own physical and mental health.
And that gives people in the Westcountry a head start over other regions of the UK.
Researchers at two leading Westcountry institutions have teamed up with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in a study that shows that spending time in marine and coastal environments has positive benefits on health and well-being.
The researchers from Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Exeter found that visits to marine and coastal areas with designated or protected status and those with higher levels of biodiversity are associated with higher levels of calmness, relaxation and revitalisation, compared to locations without this status.
The project puled together research from a range of studies in recent years.
They found that South West beaches encourage families to be physically active and increase social and family interactions.
Coastal activities such as beach cleaning, rock-pooling and walking were linked to a positive mood, more pro-environmental intentions such as recycling, and higher marine awareness.
A national study concluded that people living in the South West are more likely than residents in other regions to swim or take part in watersports when visiting the coast.
In England, 271 million recreational visits are made to coastal environments a year and the report shows that regional variations exist, with more visits to coastal environments made by people living in the
South West and North East compared to London, where more visits were made to urban open spaces.
The report also found that degraded marine environments may reduce recreational opportunities and result in emotional upset, indicated by feelings of sadness and anger and, therefore, reduce the well-being benefits of visiting such an area.
The project takes into account evidence from 46 academic studies on the effect of marine and coastal environments on health and well-being, more than half of which were led by the University of Exeter in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory and/or the University of Plymouth, highlighting the high calibre of expertise in the field of environment and human heath in the south-west region.
However, the report also warns that in the coming decades, climate change and extreme weather have potential to jeopardise sensitive marine habitats, demonstrating the importance of the UK’s network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The Government has taken steps to expand its “Blue Belt” of marine protection for Britain’s overseas territories and our own coast, last year designating a further 41 Marine Protection Zones, protecting species and habitats such as the rare stalked jellyfish and blue mussel beds.
However Plymouth-born Lewis Pugh, the UN Patron of the Oceans, has said that there are no Highly Protected Marine Areas in the waters around England, “even though we know the enormous benefits on marine wildlife, for our children, for local tourism, for fishing, and for science”. Earlier this year he warned the
Government: “The time for words and lengthy reviews and pilot programs is over.”
Dr Rebecca Shellock, who carried out the research as part of her PhD at PML and the University of Exeter, said the study was “a useful reference document for policy and decision-makers. This type of evidence is vital for marine and coastal protection and for encouraging the use of marine and coastal environments.”
“It’s notable that the evidence statement features a large number of articles from Westcountry institutions, including the University of Exeter, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and Plymouth
University.
Spending time by the sea is not only hugely enjoyable but it has a welcome impact on our well-being, too
REBECCA POW, DOMESTIC MARINE MINSTER AND MP FOR TAUNTON
They are leaders in Oceans and Human Health research and have created an evidence base to inform and benefit people across the world”.
Professor Nicola Beaumont, head of science for sea and society at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, said: “Our research team have brought to light evidence that demonstrates marine and coastal areas play an important role in supporting people’s well-being. However, we have also shown that these benefits are threatened by marine pollution, coastal development, climate change and exposure to extreme weather.
“With a third of the UK population living within five kilometres of the sea, and millions of us visiting the coast every year, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that we have the right measures in place to prevent degradation and to allow our marine environment to thrive.
“Getting these measures right is not easy and requires transformative research, co-created with stakeholders and drawing on a wide range of disciplines, with an aim to support sustainable and responsible ocean stewardship, for the conservation of the environment and to ultimately improve lives.”
Professor Lora Fleming, director of the Exeter University European Centre for Environment and Human Health, said: “This project and our other research have shown that our coast helps to cater for a variety of human needs, from keeping healthy to connecting with others.
“It also highlights the value of the South West coasts to the health and well-being of the regional population that regularly enjoys the beaches and other natural environment.”
She said there were a number of gaps to be explored further, such as the effects of marine environments on obesity in children and Vitamin D in adults.
Domestic Marine Minister and Taunton MP Rebecca Pow said: “Whether it is to enjoy a sport, take a walk, watch the wildlife or to simply admire the landscape, for many of us spending time by the sea is not only hugely enjoyable, but it has a welcome impact on our well-being too. This realisation makes it all the more important that we take care of our environment, and our ever-expanding national ‘Blue Belt’.”
■ The review was held in collaboration with and funded by Defra and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).