Experts have spent more than a year surveying the environment of the UK's seas to assess the potential for further development in offshore wind, oil and gas licensing and natural gas storage. The extensive work included the surveying of bird populations, studying the geology of the seabed, tagging marine mammals like grey and harbour seals, as well as charting how shipping, fishing and other industries use the seas around the UK.

The report, published as part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change's Strategic Environmental Assessment, along with the feedback from public consultation, will help inform decisions on where future offshore energy development can be built to further secure the UK's fuel supplies.

The report will now be subject to a 12 week public consultation.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said:

"In terms of electricity, offshore wind power could potentially make the single biggest contribution to our 2020 renewable energy target so it's vital we maximise the UK's natural resources to help in the fight against climate change.

"This report provides a real advance in our understanding of the ecology and geology of the UK marine environment so we can continue to ensure that projects like wind farms are built in the most suitable places and that we will also protect the natural environment."