A series of reports on activities in and around English seas are published today by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
The four new commissioned publications are part of the MMO’s work to identify and fill gaps in knowledge that marine planners, regulators and users currently face. The reports make recommendations on what information is needed to support MMO decisions, and also how the evidence base could be developed in the future.
They cover a range of topics – from fishing activity and leisure uses to the social and economic data on marine industries – and are available to all.
The information gathered will be used to shape marine plans, and to ensure all marine uses are fully taken account of as the MMO plans for the future of our seas.
The reports published today are:
Patricia Almada-Villela, Head of Evidence, Data and Knowledge Management at the MMO , said: “Having a more accurate picture of activities is vital in understanding how our marine area – and those who rely on it for their livelihoods and leisure time – could be shaped by marine planning and other MMO decisions.
“This is also the first time all of this information has been brought together in one place. Today’s publications address some of the evidence gaps identified and prioritised in the MMO’s Strategic Evidence Plan.
“We have made these reports freely available on our website as we hope they will prove useful to all those in interested in our marine area.”
The information in these reports was gathered from a wide range of sources, including existing scientific studies and first-hand experience from industry representatives and other experts.
The MMO will continue to publish data reports to build further on the marine evidence base.
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Press release, November 01, 2012; Image: marinemanagement