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The Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources (SMMR) programme is addressing critical marine research gaps. These gaps span a variety of disciplines, from natural capital to systems-based management.

SMMR is working to break down barriers between science and policy in order to integrate disciplines, form new marine research teams, and build a strong research base to support decision-making within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone. If you need assistance finding an interdisciplinary project partner or stakeholder, the SMMR Champions are here to help – don’t hesitate to contact us.

By working together, we can improve management of the UK marine environment and – through better management – we can realise sustainable societal and economic benefits for the UK.

Understanding Values

People value their connection with the marine environment in different ways. By taking these values into account when making decisions, we can develop more effective and transparent marine management systems.

Building Tools

Incorporating natural capital and trade-off approaches into decision-making is challenging. By delivering tools that help apply these methods to UK marine policy, we can help environmental management to be better, and more holistic.

Supporting Policy

There is a need for ambitious, coordinated actions to sustainably manage and protect the oceans for future generations. SMMR is helping to develop interventions that support government policy. These will help improve the marine environment now – and long into the future.

This work is jointly delivered by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Marine Scotland.

This Strategic Priorities Fund programme will deliver:

Improved understanding of societal perspectives and behaviours concerning the marine environment.
Systems-based approaches that support the development and analysis of policy interventions and inform effective decision-making. Particularly through a strong, evidence-based, understanding of trade-offs in the marine environment.
An enduring step change in the capability of the marine trans-disciplinary research community to create solutions together with stakeholders, including policy makers, industry, and the public.

For more information contact SMMR Champions, Professor David Paterson and Dr Mark James at smmruk@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Securing a sustainable future for UK seas.

The SMMR call is now open.