The marine environment received a major boost from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today. A partnership of the British Marine Federation (BMF) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), has been awarded a grant by the Environment Minister, Elliot Morley MP worth £402,062 for three years to invest, along with partnership funding, in their environmental education project.
The BMF and RYA welcomed the support for their new joint educational initiative, The Green Blue. The aim of the project is to raise awareness and promote good environmental practice within coastal and inland waters by industry and boating public alike, highlighting practical projects. Over the coming years, The Green Blue will build into a resource for industry and boating public alike. Bringing industry and consumer together is a unique partnership, that will ensure the project results in real and tangible improvements.
The initiative proposes to tackle a huge array of issues, highlighting the dependence of boating activities on a high quality environment and commissioning research where gaps in understanding exist. A series of practical projects for BMF and RYA members are planned to highlight good practice and demonstrate new technologies and products that mitigate environmental impacts. Areas that The Green Blue proposes to cover include waste management, oil spills, cleaning and maintenance, antifouling and marine paints.
Elliot Morley, Minister for the Environment, said “I am very pleased to be supporting so many diverse and innovative projects such as the BMF’s and RYA’s new initiative, The Green Blue. Sustainable consumption and production is at the heart of the Department’s work and we recognise the value of engaging with communities and businesses at the grass roots level.”
Hearing news of the successful grant, Sally Banham, Assistant Director, British Marine Federation, said “We are delighted that the Department has recognised our commitment to protecting the environment in which our members work and awarded us this grant. Involving our members and key sponsors, for whom there are exciting opportunities, will ensure industry’s role in delivering sustainable development is recognised. Marinas will have an exciting role to play, as they are key locations where the boating public and the boating industry come together”
Rod Carr, Chief Executive, RYA, added “Everyone that goes boating appreciates a healthy environment. We all have an important role to play and we are already working on a host of exciting initiatives with BMF”
The BMF and RYA continue to shape the initiative and are working to secure match funding to support The Green Blue initiative. Companies wishing to support the project should contact either organisation to discuss an involvement.
Ends
For more information, please contact Rebecca Jackson, BMF press office 01784 223627.
The grant comes from the Environmental Audit Fund which is awarded to projects aiming to find ways of making sustainable living attractive to consumers, and sustainable behaviour attractive to producers.
The Green Blue is a new educational initiative, for which an official launch is planned at the Southampton Boat Show 2005. However, work is already underway and the first initiative, a new Environmental Code of Practice, was launched the Schroders London Boat Show in January 2005.
The BMF is the trade association for the marine leisure industries representing the interests of boat builders, marine equipment manufacturers, marina operators, hire and charter companies and chandleries. Membership runs to over 1500 membership companies throughout the UK, both inland and coastal locations. BMF represents the interests of member companies to both National Government and in Europe.
The RYA is the national body for all forms of recreational and competitive boating. It represents dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and personal watercraft. Sailing is the most successful Olympic sport in this country and Great Britain is the world's top Olympic sailing nation. The RYA is recognised by all government offices as being the negotiating body for the activities it represents. It continually fights for the rights and freedoms of its 100,000 personal members, the majority of whom choose to go afloat for purely recreational non-competitive pleasure on coastal and inland waters. There are an estimated further 500,000 boat owners nationally who are members of RYA affiliated clubs and class associations.
