A parliamentary committee has called for the establishment of a marine-science agency to oversee Britain's ocean research.

In a report released on 18 October, the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology says that UK ocean research currently ?lacks resources, attention, coordination and an official champion?. It suggests a new agency directly responsible for public outreach, education, working with industry and coordinating ocean observation.

The committee also calls for more marine-research funding, which it says has slipped by more than 10% since 2004, to about £40 million (US$82 million) annually. Edward Hill, director of the National Oceanographic Centre in Southampton, UK, says that he agrees that the country's marine research has been fragmented and under-funded, and welcomes the report.

Jonathan Shaw, minister for marine and rural affairs, says that the government will introduce a marine bill early next year that may reflect the panel's recommendations.