MMO publishes marine evidence reports

The four new commissioning reports are part of the organisation’s effort to find and fill gaps in knowledge that marine planner, regulators and users currently face.

Patricia Almada-Villela, head of evidence, data and knowledge management, MMO, said: “Having a more accurate picture of activities is vital in understanding how our marine area – and those who rely on it for their livelihoods and leisure time – could be shaped by marine planning and other MMO decisions.”

She added: “This is also the first time all of this information has been brought together in one place. Today’s publications address some of the evidence gaps identified and prioritised in the MMO’s Strategic Evidence Plan.”

The reports review fisheries resource and activity in England, social and economic data on marine industries and coastal communities, marine recreational activities and seabed habitat mapping.

The information collected will be used to form marine plans and to ensure all marine users are fully accounted for as the MMO develops future plans for English seas.

Further reports will be published in December.