Marine Planning Issues with Supporting Evidence

A number of marine sectors produce emissions (both gases and particulates) which can negatively impact air quality, with implications for human health and the environment. Of relevance are the ports and shipping industries. 

The ongoing increase in the amount of short-sea shipping represents a move toward a more environmentally friendly method of haulage compared to other types of transport. However, short sea shipping also produces air pollution, which needs to be considered. 

The adoption of Port Air Quality Strategies (in addition to measures including Air Quality Management Areas and Emissions Control Areas) creates an opportunity to reduce the negative impacts of marine sectors on UK air quality. 

There is an existing evidence gap in the east marine plan areas regarding sites where nature recovery can be undertaken, as well as challenges associated with providing space for biodiversity recovery in the context of other marine pressures and activities. There is an opportunity to use new data and evidence to develop robust spatial approaches to marine habitat restoration.  

Regulatory barriers currently represent a primary challenge for the restoration of marine habitats. Current issues include the technical requirements and time-burden associated with licence applications, the requirement to not impact other priority habitats with the creation of another, and supply chain limitations which can impact, for example, the development of Native Oyster Spatt sites. 

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) applies to all developments above the Mean Low Water Springs mark and creates a variety of opportunities and challenges. Intertidal developments (for example flood defence works) will need to consider BNG, and there is an opportunity to promote increases in intertidal biodiversity though preferred methodologies for developing coastal infrastructure. However, strategic terrestrial, coastal and marine planning will be required to ensure that intertidal BNG is achieved and is not undermined by other developments and activities. 

Offshore wind developments are increasing in the east, which can cause disturbance to marine life. Specific challenges include underwater noise altering behaviour, increased vessel strikes and change in habitat and migration patterns. 

Increasing residential development is likely to result in significant impacts on marine and coastal species. For example, East Suffolk Council have identified a "Zone of Influence" in which increased development is likely to result in significant impacts on resident species in designated sites, due to recreational disturbance. 

Coastal erosion and flooding, made worse by climate change, are reducing habitat for beach nesting birds. 

There is currently no baseline or target for Good Environmental Status for marine litter. Without this, progress cannot be measured effectively, targets cannot be set, and monitoring cannot adequately inform policy or provide the evidence required to do so. 

Monitoring marine litter is challenging. Marine litter includes a range of sources (for example household litter, fishing gear, macro, micro and nanoplastics), exists in variety of areas (along the coast, on beaches, on the ocean surface, in the water column and on the seafloor) and also moves due to currents, tides and storms. These factors make it challenging to monitor marine litter (for instance, it can be difficult to identify the sources of marine litter). 

Abandoned, Lost, Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) makes up 10 % of marine litter globally and creates environmental challenges (for example ingestion by marine organisms, entanglement of marine organisms and providing a vessel for the spread of invasive species). However, ALDFG is easier to track compared with other types of marine litter, creating an opportunity to spotlight the issue and develop reduce, reuse and recycle initiatives. 

There are areas in the east which are considered hotspots for invasive and non-native species introduction, yet do not have marine biosecurity plans in place (for example Immingham and Felixstowe). 

There is a lack of enforcement and monitoring of biosecurity measures, particularly with regards to recreational activities and boating. 

There is a lack of up-to-date evidence and data concerning non-native species in the UK, particularly in the marine realm. This hampers efforts to monitor, manage and prevent the introduction of invasive and non-native species into UK waters. 

The growth in wind farm expansion in the east marine plan areas is leading to significant underwater noise from unexploded ordnance clearance, surveying and piling activities. 

Underwater noise can affect the behaviour, distribution and health of harbour porpoises in the east marine plan areas. Managing noise levels within the Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in the future, particularly during busy summer months where weather windows are best for development, is a key challenge.  

There is a lack of knowledge surrounding the effect of ambient/continuous noise and underwater radiated noise from vessels on the marine environment, and how this contributes towards the underwater soundscape in the east and other marine plan areas. 

There are challenges associated with the application of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the intertidal area. Concerns have been raised regarding the BNG intertidal metric tool, the costs of the UK government's BNG credits, and how BNG will deliver meaningful biodiversity improvements without a lengthy regulatory process.  

There are possible links between Biodiversity Net Gain and the strategic compensation measures required for offshore wind development. This opportunity could be facilitated via Marine Recovery Funds.  

Spatial squeeze represents a challenge for Biodiversity Net Gain. Developers will need marine space to deliver their net gain obligations, however there is increasing demand for space in the east marine plan areas from various sectors. Although the process is still being developed, areas that deliver marine net gain will likely require protection in the future. 

Offshore windfarm development is increasing in the east marine plan areas. Guidance is currently being developed regarding designation of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to compensate for the impacts of developments on benthic habitats. This creates both opportunities (for example for greater, more coherent, levels of marine protection) and challenges (for example increasing competition for space with other sectors). 

Monitoring the condition of features within MPAs is challenging. This creates a number of challenges, for instance hindering our understanding of whether MPAs are contributing to reaching Good Environmental Status. 

The Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation aims to protect harbour porpoise, which may suffer adverse impacts from underwater noise. At the same time, expansion of offshore wind (and other industries, such as carbon capture and storage) is increasing levels of underwater noise in the east marine plan areas. Meeting conservation objectives while facilitating sustainable development will require coordinated assessment and management of the cumulative effects of underwater noise. 

Run-off can result in eutrophication and pollution of rivers and coastal areas causing poor water quality. Extensive agriculture in the eastern region creates high potential for agricultural run-off.  

Combined sewage outflows from treatment works can let raw sewage into both rivers and the sea. Not only does this have detrimental environmental impacts, it also causes socioeconomic challenges for affected areas (for example impacts on marine access and tourism). 

Harmful algal blooms can occur as a result of pollution/eutrophication. These blooms can have negative impacts not only on the marine environment, but also on industries such as aquaculture.