July 1st 2010 London 9.00 – 4.00

Sponsors: ABPmer Cefas HR Wallingford The Crown Estate

If you would like to sponsor this event please contact Bob Earll 01531 890415 or via the email bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

Introduction

Marine Planning – a reality The concept and understanding of marine spatial planning has now been developing in UK for at least 7 years and during this period there has been considerable development in understanding and capacity building. This has paralleled thinking worldwide which has recently culminated in UNESCO guidance and also very strong initiatives across Europe (DG MARE). With the completion of the statutory measures in England (Wales) through the Marine Act, the establishment of the MMO (April 1st) and with similar legislation in Scotland we are on the verge of marine planning becoming an everyday fact of life.

Best practice in marine management In reality there is also fast developing body of practice and understanding that is spreading throughout many marine sectors in the way they routinely manage and plan marine resources and development issues. This includes many of the elements that will be key to marine planning – including policy development - the planning process – adaptive management - information gathering and GIS management - stakeholder involvement – option appraisal – decision making etc.

Preparatory work and lessons In the work on the Marine Acts there has been a considerable amount of preparatory work on marine planning and one of the main purposes of this meeting is to share the thinking from this work and the lessons that might be drawn from it.

The aim of this event at this important time for marine planning will be to update and share experience with a wide range of sea users from many sectors about the recent work that has been done in UK, Europe and the World to help prepare for the new legislation to be implemented and enhance routine marine management practice.

Objectives

*1. To update and share experience across a wide section of sea users on marine planning from the range of preparatory projects, case work from the UK, Europe and the World.

*2. To develop and understand the key themes emerging from current practice planning and management practice

*3. To explore the points/questions which need further development/understanding about how marine planning will be rolled out

*4 To collate key lessons from the conference in a systematic and thematic manner