Call to action for marine sector

As co-chair of the Marine Industries Leadership Council (MILC), a joint Government and industry body, the minister launched the UK Marine Industries Strategic Framework alongside Alan Johnston (pictured), MILC co-chair and managing director of BAE Systems Surface Ships. "The UK's Marine sector is a big contributor to our economy, but without industries joining up we can only get so far," the minister said. "Government, industry and stakeholders must all work together to maximise the sector's full potential. "The challenge for the UK Marine Industries over the next ten years is to continue to build and maintain this diverse, world class sector and ensure it plays a key role in our future advanced manufacturing and low carbon economy. This framework sets the pathway to achieving this, but this vision can only become reality by the work of a committed, unified sector." The MILC's vision for 2020, as set out in the framework, sees the UK marine industry: • exploiting its opportunities for growth • strengthening its international reputation and • maintaining its competitive position globally The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Energy and Climate Change also announced £4 million of funding for a marine energy project in the South West. These funds will help the University of Plymouth develop a marine building where researchers and enterprises can interact and collaborate. The Government is actively supporting the UK's wave and tidal energy industry and has put in place the world's most comprehensive suite of support. This includes up to £60m to support the development of marine energy in the UK.