The UK government has issued a new five-year cross-department maritime security strategy to enhance the country’s technology, innovation and cyber security capabilities.

A newly released strategy document from the UK government, published on 15 August, redefines maritime security as upholding laws, regulations and norms to deliver a free, fair, and open maritime domain.

The  ‘National Strategy for Maritime Security’ recognises illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and environmental damage to the seas as topics of maritime security concern.

Also on 15 August, the government announced it is establishing a UK Centre for Seabed Mapping to enable collaboration and collect more and better data.