The estuary system is a large marine inlet on the English Channel coast comprising the estuaries of the rivers Tamar, Lynher and Tavy which collectively drain an extensive part of Devon and Cornwall. The Tamar river and its tributaries provide the main input of fresh water into the estuary complex, and form a ria (drowned river valley) with Plymouth lying on the eastern shore. The broader lower reaches of the rivers form extensive tidal mud-flats bordered by saltmarsh communities. The mud-flats contain extensive and varied infaunal communities rich in bivalves and other invertebrates, and feeding grounds for waterbirds in numbers of European importance. Saltmarshes provide important feeding and roosting areas for large numbers of wintering and passage waterbirds.  Rivers Tamar, Tavy, Lyner, Plym and Plymouth Sound Located in 2 counties – Devon & Cornwall, 4 local authorities Catchment Population 400,000 (246,100 city) Diverse wildlife, landscape & historic heritage – national & international designations European Marine Site: Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area Naval port and dockyard Uses: shipping, recreation & tourism, effluent disposal, water abstraction Issues: urban development, waterfront use, water quality

Plus: Urban development Water abstraction Waste outfall

Clearly some pressures here – with the document needing to be the single management scheme and the wider plan for the estuary. Now this is particularly challenging as we have the financial pressures and two more partners pulling out of funding the partnership. But what is clear is that we must strive to have a single vision for the Estuary, more so now than ever as the new marine management structures take shape.

Part of the difficulty is understanding the implications of the designations and how this impacts on the function of the Management Plan. Easiest to look at is as nested structure. At the heart is the EMS designation – placing real restrictions on what can and cannot take place. How do we know if the restrictions apply? It is up to each Relevant Authority to assess each plan, project or activity to identify whether it could cause harm to the environment.

Tamar Estuaries Consultation Forum Management Plan & Moorings Management Kaja Curry Coastal Planning Coordinator

Management Plan Moorings

Management Plan: Context Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries is a designated European Marine Site and is therefore protected under both EU and national legislation. Legislation says that If there is a management plan, then there should only be ONE. Our current management plan runs out at the end of 2012, so we are currently consulting on a draft revised plan for 2013 – 2018.

Plymouth Sound and Estuaries

Common Species

Allis shad Alosa alosa Lutra lutra European Otter Avocet Okenia elegans Nudibranch Important Species Egret Rumex rupestris Shore dock Atrina fragilis Fan Mussel

Uses

What it sets out: Clearly differentiates between statutory functions and non-statutory functions. Includes fewer actions with clear priorities for action. Sets out the statutory objectives to remain as reminder of ‘business as usual’ plus ‘stretch targets’. Describes the mechanism for coordinating work on Estuary. Differentiate between work of TECF and work of partners. Clearly identifies where TECF brings added value.

What it says Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Context, explains designations Part 3: Identifies which actions must be managed by Relevant Authorities to ensure compliance with EMS Part 4: Takes Part 3 actions and adds broader non-statutory actions to produce thematic delivery plan across 10 topics.

Part 1: Introduction

Management Structures

Challenges & Opportunities Natural England’s Risk Assessment identified dangerous activities 2 new IFCA’s with boundary down the middle of the Tamar Marine Conservation Zones - Coming or not? Plymouth’s growth agenda will see pressures on waterfront increasing Increasing European legislation

Part 2: European Marine Site

Part 3: Managing Risks

Natural England’s Risk Assessment

Part 4: Thematic Plan Coordination Monitoring & Info management Landscape & biodiversity Historic environment Water quality Development and coastal change Fisheries Shipping, navigation & safety Public access, recreation and moorings Awareness, understanding and community engagement. For each session, we identify: what the key issues are what it is that we want how we will deliver it Also, whether it is a statutory function, who the key organisations are, and what the TECF staff will deliver.

Consultation now open… Consultation open until Monday 6 July 2012 The draft Tamar Estuaries Management Plan 2013 – 2018 is available on line at www.plymouth.gov.uk/tecf Comments can be made on-line through http://plymouth.consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/tecf/tecf Comments can also be made in writing or by email to coastal@plymouth.gov.uk. Paper copies also available.

Introduction to the Moorings around the Tamar Jodie Rothwell MSc Sustainable Environmental Management Plymouth University 2012

Plymouth Sound and Tamar Estuaries Mooring Areas TECF, 2012 2094 Moorings 1708 Marina Berths Unlikely that any other areas will be allocated.

Who is Involved? Licensee PCC, harbour authorities Businesses Sailing clubs, marinas, boat yards Mooring associations Harbour Authority consent QHM Cattewater Harbour Commission Sutton Harbour Fundus Owner: Duchy Of Cornwall, Mount Edgcumbe, Environment Agency etc Mooring Associations Boat yards Sailing Clubs Marinas Businesses Individuals Contracts Boat Insurance Mooring inspections & services

Top 10 Moorings in the Tamar *Licensed but not in action

Review of practices Not all fundus owners are aware of what they can do to ensure the moorings are leased following best practice. There is no standard approach amongst the licensees with regards to what documentation is being asked for. The harbour authorities generally have a consistent approach. More could be done to explore reducing the environmental impact of the moorings. Improve management and access to data sources through the use of GIS. Better public information is needed to point people to the mooring providers.

Next steps 6 monthly meetings of mooring managers in the Tamar. Ideal mechanism to share best practice and encourage standard approach. Best practice to be shared and common adoption encouraged. Improve web information Develop shared GIS system.

Questions? www.tamar-estuaries.org.uk Kaja.curry@plymouth.gov.uk