ABPMer focuses on marine planning
ABP Marine Environmental Research Limited (ABPmer) has launched a new website dedicated to marine planning practice at: www.abpmer.net/marine-planning.
The aim of the site is to provide a point of reference as marine planning evolves in the UK, to share learning from initiatives, disseminate research findings and up to date news on developments.
Increasing competition for space between different human activities in the marine area and greater scientific understanding of the effects of such activities on marine ecosystem health are forcing marine managers to develop new solutions for the sustainable management of our seas. Marine planning as part of an overall system of marine management is one of the big new ideas being implemented in many nations’ seas around the world.
Dr Stephen Hull, ABPmer technical director said, ‘ABPmer has been involved in marine planning and practice for some time now having undertaken a number of studies from Government, its agencies, and The Crown Estate. We wanted to open a dialogue with marine practitioners and thought a dedicated website where we could provide our position through White Papers would be a useful start to the conversation on marine planning delivery. We especially invite viewers to share their practical experience from any marine planning initiative or to contribute to the discussion forum.
‘While the site is largely and unashamedly focused on UK experience, we know there is much we can learn from others and would welcome contributions from international researchers and practitioners.’
The ABPmer marine planning site encapsulates many different features including downloadable White Papers on aspects of marine planning, UK case studies, news articles and a dedicated online discussion.In time, a quarterly e-zine is expected to complement the other communication tools of the site.
The site has been built and funded by ABPmer with contributions to the material from a number of coastal and marine practitioners.
