The MMO have updated their evidence requirements (1 February 2022) and are seeking information on numerous areas to aid marine planning and management. These requirements include, amongst others:

Aquaculture: Information predicting the future location and potential value of sites of aquaculture development. Aquaculture has the potential to be one of the fastest growing English maritime sectors. Marine Management Organisation has developed initial approaches to predicting where aquaculture may occur and applied these within East and South marine plan areas. There is the potential to enhance approaches to improve predictions for the potential for aquaculture development nationally. Valuation techniques should incorporate emerging aquaculture products eg seaweed, pharmaceuticals and techniques like multi-trophic aquaculture or offshore cages.

Climate change: Evidence on the impacts of climate change at scales applicable to marine planning. The MMO seeks better understanding of shorter time scale predictions (eg to 2040) and finer spatial resolution (plan area or better) to identify the timing and magnitude of impacts on environmental, social and economic conditions. This would highlight opportunities for marine plans to improve resilience to climate change and facilitate more targeted management solutions to address impacts that are predicated to occur within the lifespan of marine plans.

Spatial data: The MMO is looking for improved spatial data on the distribution and intensity of activities. The MMO already has access to diverse activity data such as that presented in Marine Information System or generated through internal processes including marine licensing, but would benefit from continued improvement of the best available evidence, including up to date, reliable and standardised spatial data on the distribution and intensity of activities that may impact the marine environment individually or in combination. Of particular interest is information on the following sectors: tourism and recreation, cable routes and landfalls (particularly disused) and fishing activity from vessels less than 15m in length. The MMO is also interested in new or emerging activities.

Pressures of different fishing gear: The MMO requires an enhanced understanding of the types and magnitudes of pressures exerted by different fishing gear on the environment, and potential management actions to manage any negative impacts from the fishing gear on protected features. Understanding of gear pressures, and management options will facilitate refinement of existing management approaches for different gear types to support ‘enabling management’ where a robust understanding of risk and impacts enables appropriate activity to be undertaken. This will give marine managers the tools required to manage increased activity within marine protected areas with negligible risk to conservation features.

More information on the full range of evidence requirements can be found here.