Schedule 1
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
1:15 pm
Science and engineering are very different disciplines. This will address the needs of an engineering discipline, such as marine renewable energy. Therefore the MMO will be allowed to appoint a Chief Engineering Adviser.
The amendment would provide that a chief engineering adviser would be appointed to work alongside the chief scientific adviser in the MMO. With renewable energy technology changing at such a rapid pace, and given the importance of climate change mitigation within the marine environment—I have tabled other amendments related to that area—it is important that the MMO is equipped with the appropriate expertise to deal with this very important area of marine management.
Science and engineering are very different disciplines, although there is a common misconception that they are synonymous. The appointment of a chief scientific adviser to the MMO is important for marine conservation, but it will not necessarily cover the needs of climate change mitigation and marine renewable energy. The appointment of a chief engineering advisor would be beneficial to a range of other marine users and industrial user groups, including those related to ports, cables and dredging. I re-emphasise that there is a rapid movement in green energy technologies, particularly in the marine environment, and the MMO needs to be equipped to deal with them. It needs to be able to give the Secretary of State good engineering advice. In addition, in its capacity as the champion of our seas, if it is properly to consider the sustainable green development of areas of our ocean, it needs to have the correct engineering advice.