There is increasing recognition of the need for greater action to restore the marine environment in the face of a continued decline in marine biodiversity. Net gain offers a valuable approach that can contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

In this webinar, Vicky West outlined the principles and practices of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) under the Environment Bill, down to the mean low water mark, and the wider aspiration for BNG in the marine environment. The webinar discussed the challenges associated with implementing BNG in marine and intertidal environments and explored possible approaches to introducing and delivering a system of Marine Net Gain.

Our speaker

Vicky West is a Senior Consultant at ABPmer with 7 years’ experience in marine and coastal ecology. She routinely conducts ecological surveys to inform ecological assessments and environmental appraisals and carries out a wide range of work relating to marine policy and spatial planning. Vicky specialises in Marine Net Gain (MGN) and in 2019 was an advisor on Natural England’s ‘Biodiversity Net Gain Coastal and Intertidal Sounding Board’. She has also co-authored several MNG white papers and supported the Task & Finish Group in the development of recommendations for strategic net gain targets for coastal and marine environments.