Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy today led a delegation to meet with Marine Minister Jonathan Shaw, to present Plymouth’s case to be home to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

She was accompanied by fellow Plymouth MP Alison Seabeck, together with representatives from Plymouth’s marine science sector.

The Marine Management Organisation is proposed under the much anticipated Marine Bill, currently under consideration by Parliament. It will be a non-departmental public body tasked to undertake a range of activities on behalf of the Government, including preparing marine plans, licensing marine development, fisheries management and the enforcement of legislation relating to nature conservation and fisheries. 

Projections suggest it could bring upwards of 200 jobs to the host city.

Linda Gilroy said “Plymouth plays home to the complete range of marine activities – from recreation, to fishing, to transport to the navy. We are completely in tune with the aims of the Marine Bill”.

“The fact that key representatives from our marine sector came to London today sent a powerful message to Minister. The city has a very strong claim to host the MMO”

“We already have some 450 marine scientists and 1400 undergraduate students in our marine science sector – and complimentary activities that take place at the Met office in Exeter and the hydrographic office in Taunton are both within easy reach”.

Richard Morgan the Project Development Director for the Marine Partnership said: “We are developing our plans to co-locate four of the major marine research organisations together in Plymouth. To arrange for the MMO to be housed alongside them would we believe be hugely advantageous for the MMO – it would also be great news for Plymouth to host the 200 plus jobs!”

4 June 2008

Above (l-r) Richard Morgan (Plymouth Marine Science Partnership); Dave Robins (Plymouth Marine Laboratory); Paul Carroll (Plymouth City Development Company);  Professor Peter Burkill (SAHFOS); Nigel Pitt, (Plymouth City Council).