To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the steps his Department is taking to address the effect of ocean acidification.

My Department is working to better understand the physical, chemical and biological processes controlling the ocean’s ability to absorb increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) which causes ocean acidification. Our primary focus at the moment is to better understand how ocean acidification is affecting our waters and in particular, the vulnerability of cold water coral species like maerl or on aquaculture businesses. My Department is working with marine scientists in the UK and Ireland through the INTERREG VA Collaborative Oceanography and Monitoring for Protected Areas and Species (COMPASS) project to improve our understanding of the issues and effects.

The Climate Change Risk Assessment 3 Report, published on 16 June acknowledges that more action is needed across the UK in understanding the impacts of ocean acidification and addressing the effects on marine species, habitats and fisheries.