National News

Latest Coastal Access News – April 2014

On the 11th April coastal access rights formally commenced on the first stretch of the North West’s coast to be opened up as part of the English Coastal Path. This stretches 36 km from Allonby to Whitehaven. Forthe  latest details on progress on rolling out the English Coastal Path in Cumbria including information on the

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2 NW Offshore Renewables Projects get Green Light

Government announce today that 8 major renewable energy projects will be built, boosting jobs and contributing to a reduction of carbon emissions by around 10 Mt CO2 per year in comparison to power generation from fossil fuels. By 2020, the projects should provide up to £12 billion of private sector investment, supporting 8,500 jobs and adding a further

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Marine Planning Newsletter 18 – March 2014

The Marine Management Organisation’s latest newsletter is now available. It covers updates on progress in the East Plan Area, an implementation and monitoring update. news about and a link to the South Plans Evidence and Issues Workshops Summary and information on a series of evidence gathering projects, reports for which will be published during 2014.

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Art as a tool to understand coastal change in Wales and Scotland: new report from The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate has produced a mini series of reports investigating how Art can be used as a visual tool to understand long-term coastal change in the UK. The purpose of the reports was to identify changes in past and present coastlines, which can then help to predict potential future coastline changes. The reports were

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Blue Marine Foundation report on maximum sustainable yield in fisheries

The Blue Marine Foundation has produced a report examining fishing activity beyond the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and its legal obligations. The report was initiated by the University of the West of England (Bristol) as a UK case study, discussing that historical and current legal framework, and consequences for fishing beyond maximum sustainable yield. For

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Marine Conservation Society release water quality results for Bathing beaches in Britain 2014

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has released results of water quality for Bathing Beaches across Britain (2014). A record 70% of Britain’s beaches are graded as “excellent”. Beaches of North West England including Formby, Meols, Moreton, Silecroft, ST Bees and West Kirby Main are classified as “MCS Recommeneded” For more information on bathing beach water and water quality

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27 newly designated Marine Conservation Zones in the UK

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for farming, food and marine environment, George Eustice, MP, has recently declared the designation of 27 new Marine Protected Zones, adding to the 500 already existing in UK seas. Plans are being developed to designate two more tranches of Marine Conservation Zones over the next three years to enhance the

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Collation and analysis of offshore wind farm piling records 2007 – 2012

A report was conducted on the collation and analysis of offshore wind farm piling records during a five period from 2007 to 2014. Mike Elmes, Elena San Martin and Stephen Hull of ABP Marine Environmental Research Limited initiated the study which was funded by The Crown Estate. The report provides an evaluation of off shore

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Study of economic valuation for marine and coastal recreation in West Wales

Study of economic valuation for marine and coastal recreation in West Wales Together, the Marine Planning Consultants (MPC), Atkins and Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF) have produced a report determining the economic value of marine and coastal recreation in West Wales. The purpose of the pilot study was to examine individual expenditure per day for each

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Foraging ranges of northern gannets Morus bassanus in relation to proposed offshore wind farms in the UK: 2010-2012

A report has been produced by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), presenting the results of a three year study on the foraging ranges of adult northern gannets (Morus bassanus) in relation to offshore wind farms and wind farm zones. The study was

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