Management Scheme Activities
For the purpose of European Marine Sites (EMS), activities are those actions that happen around our coasts and in our marine areas that are not plans or projects. Plans and projects are covered by other regulatory mechanisms such as marine licensing, and are not covered by the Solent European Marine Sites (SEMS) scheme of management. Activities may be controlled or managed by competent or Relevant Authorities (RA) on a continuing basis or may fall outside of any jurisdiction. Relevant Authorities often have some form of management or control over activities due to non-statutory functions such as land ownership. The Marine Protected Areas (MPA) national steering group produced a document that looks at the duties on public authorities with regards to MPA management. The MMO has published a best practice guide to non licensable activities.
Activities that take Place within SEMS
The activities considered by the SEMS Management Scheme are classified to coordinate with Natural England’s conservation advice packages. These packages show what the impacts of activities can be on the SEMS sites.
Each year activities are monitored and reported on by the Solent's RAs and are subsequently discussed at their annual management group meeting. The resulting SEMS Annual Management Report sets out actions agreed by the SEMS management group to address issues arising from activities.
Activity Survey Post Lockdown, Summer 2020
In spring 2021 the Solent Forum asked the Solent’s Relevant Authorities, who are members of the Solent Marine Sites (SEMS) Management Scheme, to undertake a one off snapshot survey about if and how recreational activities in the Solent impacted on designated sites over summer 2020. This report details the findings of that survey. There were 18 responses. The Solent Forum carried out the survey in its role as the SEMS Secretariat.
SEMS Management Scheme Activities
- Accidental vessel discharges / emissions including oil spill and clean-up
- Boat repair / maintenance
- Fishing (including shellfisheries)
- Fisheries (shored based)
- Grazing and foraging
- General Beach Recreation
- Land recreation walking (incl. with dogs)
- Littering and removal of litter
- Mooring and/or anchoring
- Operation of coastal flood and erosion risk management schemes
- Operation of ports and harbours
- Recreation Light Aircraft
- Recreation - non motorised watercraft
- Recreation - powerboating or sailing with an engine
- Slipway and jetty cleaning and maintenance
- Wildfowling
General Resources
- Solent Forum Information Database - to search for relevant reports.
- Countryside Code
- Using Behavioural Insights to Reduce Recreation Impacts on Wildlife: Guidance & Case Studies from Thames Basin Heaths and the Solent (NECR329)
- The Wash and North Norfolk coast Recreation Guides
- Cornwall Marine Life Code
