MMO ‘Background to the East Marine Plans, monitoring approach and reporting

Executive summary

1.  This report reviews the impact of the East Inshore and East Offshore Marine Plans (the East Marine Plans) since their adoption in April 2014, and the first Three-year Report on the East Marine Plans (the Three-year Report) published in April 2017. The plans, which cover the marine area from Flamborough to Felixstowe, include 11 objectives supported by 38 plan policies. They help deliver the government’s vision and high level marine objectives (HLMOs) set out in the national Marine Policy Statement, details of which are included as Annex A High level marine objectives.

2.  The report reviews changes in relevant matters since the plans were adopted (in line with requirements of Section 54 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) and assesses if those changes affect the relevance of the plans. The report provides an assessment of the effect of plan policies and their effectiveness, and progress towards the plan objectives and the relevant HLMOs (in line with requirements of Section 61 of the MCAA 2009). To address these requirements the report is structured around context, process and outcome monitoring, in the line with the first Three-year Report.

3.  The monitoring approach makes best use of existing monitoring programmes supplemented by additional data gathering and surveys. The first Three-year Report noted limitations in approach which led to a range of improvements, for example collecting data at the level of policies and not just objectives, informed by an independent review. Compared to the first Three-year Report, the improved approach and evidence base has enabled a better evaluation of the East Marine Plans with reporting across all objectives, assessment of policy effects, and consideration of policy effectiveness for the first time.

Context

4.  The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has kept relevant matters under review including changes in the key characteristics and uses of the marine plan areas and in legislation, policy and other plans (including marine plans around England). Taken together, changes in context since the plans were adopted may affect their relevance and help determine if the plans may need to be amended or replaced.

5.  The review found that there have been significant changes in context. Key characteristics and uses that have changed include more Marine Protected Areas and offshore wind developments with potential implications for both and other uses. The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union is likely to affect many aspects of the plans, for example fisheries, although exact details will depend on the outcome of negotiations during the transition period. There have been notable developments at a national level including policies and strategies in respect of climate change, the environment (such as the 25 Year Environment Plan), energy and industry. The development of other marine plans has taken account of these emerging issues such that there are numerous policy ‘gaps’ in the East Marine Plans when compared to draft North East and draft South East Marine Plans.

6.  There is compelling evidence to suggest that an update of the plans, including the objectives and policies, should be considered.  To read more click here

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