European Marine Sites Consultation

Proposed new management measures for Thanet Coast Special Area of Conservation and Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation

European Marine Sites (EMSs) are designated to protect those habitats and species defined within the EU Habitats Directive and the EU Birds Directive. To bring fisheries in line with other activities, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced on the 14 August 2012 a new approach to manage fishing activities within EMSs. This change in approach will promote sustainable fisheries while conserving the marine environment and resources, securing a sustainable future for both.

Within the Kent & Essex IFCA district two sites (Thanet Coast and Essex Estuaries) have been designated as “high risk” meaning that control measures are required to be put in place by the end of 2013.

Kent & Essex IFCA is now undertaking a period of consultation with regard to the future management of the Thanet Coast SAC and Essex Estuaries SAC. If you wish to know more about this process and/or would like to take part in the consultation then please use this link to direct you to the consultation document

The closing date for the consultation is 16 July 2013.