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Press release

Local sessions announced – have your say on future of our seas

Date issued: 1 February 2012
Reference: 01/12

As the East of England leads the way with the UK’s first marine plans, public drop-in sessions are being held along the coast to make sure residents are fully involved.

A total of 12 sessions are being held in February – from Aldeburgh and Great Yarmouth to Hull and Bridlington – and a session is being held near you.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has been planning for the East Inshore and East Offshore plan areas – stretching from Flamborough Head to Felixstowe - since April 2011 and work is well underway.

Plans will inform and guide marine developers and other users, providing much more certainty on appropriate uses in the marine area. Plans will also take into account leisure activities such as sailing and diving, along with the need to conserve and protect marine species and habitats.

This could also mean economic gains for coastal communities, as the marine economy is currently worth more than £47 billion annually to the UK, and has the potential to increase significantly.

We have already spoken to local authorities in your area about their plans for the coastline, and now want to hear from residents about what is important to them – both around the coast and further out to sea.

The MMO sessions nearest you are listed in the table below.

We will have MMO planners on hand to answer questions, large-scale maps of the area showing potential uses and a 3D model to demonstrate how and where marine activities could be happening near you.

Families enjoying the half term break are welcome, and colouring activities will be available to keep children entertained.

Please contact the MMO press office on 0191 376 2543 to arrange interviews, request further information or to attend on the day.

Notes to editors

There is estimated to be £204 million in direct economic benefits per year once marine planning is fully rolled out, alongside wider environmental and social benefits in ensuring sustainable development.

An online interactive map of our seas, the marine planning portal, was launched in 2011. It allows anyone logging on to understand how busy our seas have become and play an active part in marine planning. This can be seen at: http://planningportal.marinemanagement.org.uk/

For more details on the issues affecting your local area, you can access our socio-economic report  and our evidence and emerging issues report at www.marinemanagement.org.uk/marineplanning/.

The MMO launched in 2010, and was created under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The organisation is tasked with delivering the Government’s vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse oceans and seas.