The draft South Marine Plan areas have significant Natura 2000 designations, including 38 SACs and 11 SPAs in the inshore area, and two large SCIs in its offshore area.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has contracted ABPmer to undertake the screening and assessment phase of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the draft South Marine Plans.

Under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC any plan or project that may have an impact on European Natura 2000 or Ramsar Sites requires an Appropriate Assessment. The HRA runs parallel to the marine planning process and ensures that any marine plan conforms to The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. 

The draft South Marine Plan areas have a significant number of existing Natura 2000 designations including 38 SACs and 11 SPAs in the inshore area, and two large Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) in its offshore area. The Isle of Wight has almost its entire coastline under designation.

Elena San Martin, HRA Project Manager said:

"We are delighted to be awarded this contract which follows the pre-screening work we undertook earlier in the South marine planning process.”

“The outputs of this project will be used to meet the HRA obligations under the Habitats Directive and will form part of the supporting documentation for the adoption of the draft South Marine Plans.”

ABPmer is a recognised specialist in marine planning and policy and has previously undertaken marine planning related HRAs for The Crown Estate, Marine Scotland and MMO including leading the HRA process for the draft East Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans.

Marine Plans will inform and guide activities within the marine area, managing the sustainable development of marine industries while taking account of local communities and the need to consider leisure uses and protect the environment too.