Marine Plan-level Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) Project

An increased demand for marine space requires adequate management by marine planners to ensure that biodiversity targets are not compromised and to reduce conflict between sectors and marine users.

Implementing cumulative effects assessment (CEA) at a strategic level gives marine planners a clearer picture of the compounded impacts of multiple sectors and recreational uses to help (a) adopt policies that keep marine development and use within environmental limits, and (b) guide project-level decisions accordingly.

However, our current capacity to understand, evaluate and make decisions based on CEA is inadequate and it remains a persistent and fundamental challenge to more progressive marine plans and policies.

Currently, there is no consistent approach adopted by marine planners but there have been numerous attempts at plan-level CEA.

To determine the appropriate approach, it is proposed that it is time to take stock of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the different CEA approaches for use in marine plan development at different scales.

The project is being run by a steering group made up of members including marine planning leads from multiple organisations and agencies across all/most administrations in the UK.

This includes JNCC (project managers), NatureScot, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, The Marine Management Organisation, Marine Directorate of Scottish Government and Cefas.

Project Aims: 1.

To assess the relative merits of known cumulative assessment approaches, and their suitability for use at a strategic level during the preparation of marine plans.

2.

To recommend a preferred approach to strategic level CEA for marine planners, including any method development that would further improve the approach.

3.

To define data, evidence and research priorities to further refine CEA approach(es) for marine planning.