The five statutory nature conservation bodies of the UK – Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency – have come together to produce Nature Positive 2030 – a summary report and an evidence report. Published in September 2021 to mark the anniversary of the Leaders’ Pledge for
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Consultation: Best Practice Guidance for Developing Compensatory Measures in Relation to Marine Protected Areas
by NW Coastal Forum on September 30, 2021
Consultation closes 11:45pm on 30 September 2021 DEFRA is seeking views on best practice guidance for developing compensatory measures in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a future approach to strategic compensation, and how net gain and compensation can work together to deliver the best outcomes for the marine environment. The guidance has been developed as a
Future of Seaside Towns – Updated Government Response to House of Lords Select Committee Report
by NW Coastal Forum on June 23, 2021
The Government has published – in June 2021 – an updated government response to the House of Lords Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities ‘The Future of Seaside Towns’ report, which was published in April 2019. The updated response, and accompanying letter from Luke Hall MP, Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government
North West Marine Plans Adopted!
by NW Coastal Forum on June 23, 2021
The UK Government has, today (23rd June) formally adopted the marine plans for the North West, North East, South West and South East of England. The marine plans have been produced by the Marine Management Organisation on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Accompanying each of the
Government Response to the Highly Protected Marine Areas Review
by NW Coastal Forum on June 16, 2021
The Government has – on 8th June 2021 – published its response to the Highly Protected Marine Areas Review which they had previously commissioned former Environment and Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon to undertake to examine whether and how the strongest protections for areas of sea, known as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), could be introduced.
Fishing and Offshore Wind – Policy Brief
by NW Coastal Forum on June 16, 2021
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries has published a policy brief on UK Fishing and Offshore Wind. The briefing summarises the outputs from the APPG on Fisheries open Parliamentary webinar, which took place in May 2021. This webinar brought together a wide range of stakeholders to explore how the fisheries and offshore wind sectors
Coastal Access in North West England – April 2021 Update
by NW Coastal Forum on April 29, 2021
Natural England has published an update on coastal access in North West England. There are currently 113 km of the England Coast Path open in the North West, with another 316 km approved in part, with establishment works planned or in progress. The final 141 km of route proposed have been published and are in
Plover Rovers – Talking the Coast 2021
by NW Coastal Forum on February 1, 2021
The Plover Rovers are a newly established science communication charity focusing on bringing marine science and coastal communities together. Their 2021 “Talking the Coast” project will have members of the UK Marine Scientific Community walk stretches of the English Coast Path and present their relevant research to local communities in towns and villages along the
England Coast Path – North West Section Added to National Trails Website
by NW Coastal Forum on February 1, 2021
The National Trails website has been updated and includes a section dedicated to the coast path in the North West. The site provides general information about the path, including maps, enables trip planning and – importantly – enables the public and local businesses, etc., to add photos and relevant information such as accommodation services or
Impact of Brexit on Shellfisheries Exports (Bivalves)
by NW Coastal Forum on February 1, 2021
The inshore waters of North West England support a thriving and diverse shellfish industry but in the last few days it has emerged that there are potentially huge impacts on the industry arising from the UK’s exit from the European Union. The majority of our shellfish stocks are sold to Europe as live stock. Live