Just three of the articles from the most recent MMO marine planning update

Draft South Marine Plan consultation – now open 

At the beginning of November we launched our 12 week consultation on the draft South Marine Plan. The consultation is open until 27 January 2017, and asks for your views and feedback on the draft South Marine Plan. As well as asking questions on the draft plan, its vision, objectives and policies, the consultation also looks at the draft Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, which help ensure sustainability is at the core of the marine plan. Stakeholder involvement has been invaluable in developing the draft South Marine Plan. Local, industry and specialist knowledge has helped develop an informed and evidence based plan, which will help to manage and protect the south marine plan areas over the next 20 years.   You can read the draft South Marine Plan and take part in the consultation here.

Issues with supporting evidence

Following consultation on the issues with supporting evidence for the north east, north west, south east and south west marine plans, we have published an issues with evidence database. The database includes an overview of each issue, categorises them into key themes and provides details of supporting evidence gathered. The database shows the range and complexity of marine issues that the different plan areas face, and will be used to develop the marine plan priorities and policies for the four areas. You can view the database here.

New evidence reports published

We have recently published the following evidence reports to support the development of the north east, north west, south east and south west marine plans, and the South Marine Plan.

Economic baseline assessment for the North East, North West, South East and South West marine plans (MMO1119): This report provides economic baseline information for the marine plan areas which will inform the development of the marine plans. This research is focused on economic activity within the plan areas, using the categories of industry set out in the Marine Policy Statement.   We have also published a number of evidence requirements, including:

• approaches for monitoring the impact of marine plans
• the location, condition and features of significant sites for habitat creation or restoration
• the baseline social environment of the English marine plan areas
• seascape characterisation and visual impact in marine areas
• the baseline social and economic environment local to marine protected areas
• the baseline economic environment of the English marine plan areas