European Marine Sites Update Ruth Crundwell

Natural England Advisers to the government on the environment, providing practical scientific advice on how to look after England’s landscape and wildlife (GOV.UK website) Area teams- Cumbria Marine adviser- marine programme; Advising the government on the designation of Marine Protected Areas including Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ), Special Protection Areas (SPA) for birds and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). Marine elements are collectively known as European Marine Sites. Reviewing conservation advice packages and developing packages for the new MCZ’s. Risk based assessments of activities taking place in European Marine Sites. This includes supporting the local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) with their assessments of fishing activity.

IPENS Improvement Programme for England’s Natura 2000 Sites This is a new strategic approach to managing England’s Natura 2000 sites. EU Life+ bid (funding comes from Europe and government) It will enable Natural England, the Environment Agency and other major stakeholders to plan what, how, where and when they will target effort on Natura 2000 sites. By 2015 the programme will identify theme plans, produce Site Improvement Plans, identify gaps in knowledge, develop a strategic framework for management of Natura 2000 sites

IPENS Strategic approach to obtain favourable condition for Natura 2000 sites by reviewing; Risks and issues impacting or threatening the condition of the site Actions and measures- ‘mechanisms’- that can be used to address those risks How much it will cost and where the money could come from Working with important stakeholders and agreeing how they can contribute First time this information has been drawn together

IPENS Development of Theme Plans Invasive species Grazing Habitat fragmentation Coastal recreation and disturbance Coastal squeeze Species management Diffuse water pollution Restoration of lakes and rivers Hydrological functioning Aerial nitrogen deposition

IPENS Compiling of evidence Use of Natural England’s evidence database, results from commissioned reports, academic literature, specialist knowledge Also specific IPENS projects Investigating risks and issues affecting features in Natura 2000 sites Identifying or investigating potential management measures to address the issues If required, monitoring and mapping the features providing data to help inform above actions.

IPENS Development of Site Improvement Plans – SIP Outlines the actions to achieve and maintain the site in favourable condition High level description of the issues affecting the sites Identifies actions required to address the issues and the funding sources available Live documents which can be updated Not habitat management plans or funded and agreed programme of specific measures for delivery on the ground See them as a resource

IPENS Benefits of the programme Improved understanding by government agencies and stakeholders of the issues affecting Natura 2000 sites Better access to information on mechanisms to address issues and associated funding options Help the UK government in relation to its responsibilities under the Habitats and Birds Directives Provides evidence to influence EU funding

Solway Firth EMS

SAC features Estuaries Sandbanks covered by seawater all the time Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand Atlantic salt meadows Reefs River lamprey Sea lamprey Perennial vegetation of stony banks Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation-“grey dunes

Solway Firth EMS SPA Internationally important populations of regularly occurring Annex 1 species Internationally important populations of regularly occurring migratory species An internationally important assemble of waterfowl Ramsar Regularly supports 20,000 waterfowl 1% or more of populations of one species or one subspecies of waterfowl Supports vulnerable, endangered species or threatened ecological communities Also has supporting habitats for the above designations but some are outwith the EMS boundary

Solway Firth Site Improvement Plan Draft document has been collated by local site leads in Natural England using theme plans. Identified a change in distribution of birds as a priority for Solway Firth plan Draft document has been reviewed by partners and stakeholders including Environment Agency, Solway Firth Partnership, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, AONB, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency Does not encompass local management plans ©Stephen Candler/Natural England

Solway Firth Site Improvement Plan Use of the SIP can identify what theme’s should be reviewed locally, giving the impetus for these issues to be included within national plans. Work in progress Mersey Estuary ©Stephen Candler/Natural England

Solway Firth Site Improvement Plan Site Improvement Plans will integrated into the Environment Agency’s River Basin Management Plan‘s(RBMP) North West RBMP available on Environment Agency website Solway Tweed RBMP available on SEPA website IPENS and SIP information available programme-for-englands-natura-2000-sites-ipens

IPENS Thank you for listening Any questions ??