The first session of the day, Markets and Materials, chaired by Gerrit van Solkema, examined the growth and sustainability of the marine aggregate industry.

Ad Stolk from the North Sea Directorate discussed past and present marine sediment extraction research in the north western European and Baltic areas and drew attention to current OSPAR and ICES reports.

Kevin Seaman from UMA highlighted the opportunities presented by the 2012 Olympic games in London for marine aggregates and commented that there are some major hurdles ahead for the industry to achieve its full potential.

The second session, Research, Technology and Data Management, chaired by Cees Laban, included presentations from leading researchers and consultants.

Four major European projects were discussed, including EURMARSAND, a project aimed at training young European researchers in different issues of marine aggregate extraction and a new GIS project from ABP Marine Environmental Research to source information from completed research projects and capture this into a structured database.

The third session, Resource Exploration and Development, chaired by Mark Russell, examined mapping and monitoring techniques from past and present European experience. Case studies were presented from Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands and the Belgian continental shelf. It was noted that advances in seabed classification will benefit a variety of marine users and will facilitate offshore resource management and policy formation.

The final session, Regulators, Legislative and Environmental, chaired by David Harrison, included a presentation from the keynote speaker Brian Marker from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, who outlined the need for changes to the UK licensing procedure and the complexities behind the creation of a UK Marine Bill.

More details about EMSAGG can be obtained from CIRIA, Classic House, 174-180 Old Street, London EC1V 9BP;

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300;

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7253 0523;

email: victoria. cole@ciria. org