The UK Government’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) was set up to develop the science and information required to improve the way in which marine aggregate extraction activities are planned, assessed and managed.

The work undertaken includes projects to identify environmental resources that may potentially be affected by marine aggregate dredging, and those which developed practical ways to minimise and manage impacts.

DEFRA’s Director of Marine and Fisheries, Rodney Anderson said, ‘As a result of the significant investment in marine research we now have a much clearer understanding of the key issues relating to protection of environmental resources in the vicinity of aggregate dredge sites.

‘The ALSF has promoted increasingly sophisticated management of aggregate extraction integrated with the protection of resources of conservation and heritage significance.’

Speaking on behalf of the aggregate industry, Kevin Seaman, chairman of the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) said, ‘The research completed to date ably demonstrates the wider benefits and value that come from regulators, scientists and industry working together. All the while that the aggregate levy exists, it is essential that the sustainability fund is maintained to further improve and enhance the understanding of key issues related to marine aggregate extraction.’

A summary report which sets out the key issues relating to marine aggregate extraction accompanies the main research journal. The summary identifies areas for future research should the ALSF continue.

Electronic versions of both documents can be downloaded from the Marine Environment Protection ALSF website: www.alsf-mepf.org.uk.