SEMS Management Scheme (MS) Actions
Competent authorities must take action to help protect, conserve and restore the protected habitats and species of European sites. In order to clarify how this applies to the SEMS Management Scheme, actions can be divided into 5 types, as shown below with examples.
1. Reporting harmful activities to other authorities under whose jurisdiction they fall
- Notify Environment Agency of water quality breaches, notify IFCAs of illegal fishing activity
- Contact Southern or Sussex IFCA to report illegal shellfish hand gathering or netting
2. General good practice to comply with the Habitats Regulations
- R&CAs should work with NE, EA and Harbour Authorities etc. through appropriate mechanisms to reduce their contribution to adverse effects
- Remind planning and land managers, beach staff and other relevant staff that they have a responsibility and remit with regard to protection of the SEMS
- Link pro-actively across SEMS with other groups seeking to minimise recreational disturbance
3. General good practice to not harm habitats or species
- Maintain a precautionary approach, for example through local neighbourhood planning committees promote voluntary conservation action
- Promote good practice in waste water management for example supporting Southern Water's Unflushables Campaign
4. Actions that should be reported through SEMS Annual Survey
- Keep a watching brief and report on recreational activities that may be impacting in designated sites
- Report on coastal litter hot spots, especially sites for coastal nesting birds
5. Completion of each authority’s undertakings regarding MS actions
- Use and disseminate the resources and guidance provided in the SEMS activity pages. Support actions arising from the SEMS Management Scheme.