It does this by providing a practical approach to assessing risk at a range of temporal and spatial scales, from extraction at a

single site to regional assessments of multiple extraction activities.

 MARA provides techniques for both quantifying uncertainty and assessing cumulative and in-combination effects. The project was completed under Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) for DEFRA and CEFAS.

Offshore aggregate dredging has a range of potential environmental impacts. The extent of these impacts is currently being evaluated using environmental impact assessments (EIA). The MARA framework may be used to support the completion or review of an EIA and allows progression in the assessment process, enabling greater transparency in quantifying impact.

The MARA approach for assessing the risks of marine aggregate dredging takes into account the consequences and the likelihood of those consequences occurring. It provides a means for quantifying the uncertainty associated with the analysis.

This will enhance the transparency of assessments for dredging licence applications and make the decision-making process easily traceable and auditable. It also provides a framework for reconsidering the impacts of the activity as developments in scientific understanding and the results of site specific monitoring of a particular licence become available. The summary and technical reports are available on the MARA website: www.mara-framework.org.uk.