The Marine Planning Portal allows anyone logging on to view a range of information and locations, from details of wind farm developments to conservation areas, and understand how busy our seas have become.
Plan-making is already underway in the East Offshore and East Inshore marine plan areas, from Flamborough Head to Felixstowe, with a total of ten marine plans to be drawn up for England over a decade to inform and guide marine regulators and users.
The map offers an easy way to be involved and contribute to marine planning and using the controls, you can locate and then zoom in on particular areas or activities by selecting the specific data you want to see. Users can also post comments, make suggestions and submit new data to inform the plans in the East of England, which are expected to take two years to finalise.
A strategic scoping exercise to look at key issues in all of England's waters has also been carried out by the MMO, and the draft report is now available for comments at www.marinemanagement.org.uk
Steve Brooker, Head of Marine Planning at the MMO, said "The maps and the report together demonstrate how busy our seas are and why there is a need for a clear set of plans to ensure that our seas have a sustainable future”.
"We invite people to get online, look at the report and the maps and share any insights they may have on the data we will be using. We want the evidence base for marine planning to be as strong as possible and welcome your views."
The MMO will be running a series of workshops in the East of England over the coming year which will provide opportunities for others, including those who are not online, to have their say. In addition, the MMO will run a full consultation once draft marine plans are prepared.
To view the map please follow: MarinePlanningPortal
