Cornwall’s Seas at Risk? Have Your Say Before It’s Too Late

Residents, businesses and organisations are being urged to share their views on a new plan designed to protect Cornwall’s marine environment.

Cornwall Council, working alongside the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine and Coastal Partnership, has drawn up proposals following a year of engagement through surveys, workshops and webinars.

The draft Marine Nature Recovery Framework was launched for public consultation on Thursday 28th August and runs until midnight on October 10th.

Protecting Cornwall’s Marine Life

The framework sets out a shared vision for recovering marine biodiversity, tackling the climate and ecological emergency, and ensuring Cornwall’s seas are healthy, resilient and thriving for generations to come.

It also complements the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery Strategy, which extends to the low water mark and supports national goals, including having 30% of land, rivers and seas well managed for nature by 2030.

Covering waters from the high-water mark out to 12 nautical miles, the draft framework identifies priority habitats and species needing protection, maps restoration opportunities and outlines actions to support sustainable marine management.

You can also find out more about 10 marine species we need to protect in Cornwall.

“A Call to Action”

Cllr Loic Rich, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said:

“Our new Marine Nature Recovery Framework is a call to action for everyone – from us a local authority to marine industries to volunteers and residents.

“We want to hear from everyone – you could be a fisher, a marine business, swimmer, surfer, coastal resident or someone who is interested in our coast and marine nature.

“All your insights will help shape a future for Cornwall where nature and people thrive together.”

How to Get Involved

Feedback from the consultation will be used to refine the framework before its final publication later this year.

Residents can take part online via the public consultation.

There is also a free online webinar on the Marine Nature Recovery Framework on 24th September at 7pm.