Marine Planning in the North Sea
New laws from the Marine and Coastal Access Act have brought in a new planning system for the seas, as well as better controls on industry at sea. Marine Planning aims to identify all of the different activities that are taking place in the North Sea so that these can be integrated into plans that take into account their environmental, social and economic impacts and benefits. The process should result in plans similar to the ones that we have on land.
For marine planning the sea around England has been split into ten planning areas. The first areas to have these plans developed in England are in the North Sea covering an area from Flamborough Head down to Flexistowe, a map of the area can be viewed on the Marine Management Organisation website. More information about marine planning can also be found on this website.
The Wildlife Trusts in the area will be inputting into the Marine Planning process by ensuring environmental considerations are at the heart of the plans. This will help achieve The Wildlife Trusts’ Living Seas vision where wildlife and habitats are recovering from past declines as our use of the seas’ resources becomes environmentally sustainable.
If you would like to know more about how The Wildlife Trusts are engaging in the marine planning process please get in contact, by using the Contact Us page on this website.
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