An article published in the Guardian on 11 January 2023 entitled "What happens when a huge ship sinks? A step-by-step guide to averting disaster", makes fascinating reading. Among the many interesting links within the article, the Safety and Shipping Review 2022 from Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) stands out, giving an annual review of trends … Continue reading Maritime salvage article reawakens memories of the Hoegh Osaka
Category: Marine Management
Planktonic Monsters of the Solent
The waters of the Solent and Southampton Water hold a rich planktonic flora and fauna. Plankton comprise a wide range of organisms which live at least part of their lives drifting in the water column. Their size ranges from that of a single bacterium to a huge jelly fish the size of a dustbin lid … Continue reading Planktonic Monsters of the Solent
The Benyon Review
Will ‘Highly Protected Marine Areas’ be introduced to the Solent? When Marine Conservation Zones and Marine Protected Areas (MCZs & MPAs) were first introduced under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009), there was a requirement to designate scientific control areas within each bio-geographical area. Termed “Reference Areas”, these zones were designed to represent the … Continue reading The Benyon Review
The South Marine Plan
The Solent is a part of the South Marine Plan, produced by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). This plan has now been in existence for two years and is invaluable in judging both marine licence applications and land based applications. We have established contacts with our local Marine Management Office and often with the individual … Continue reading The South Marine Plan
Silting in Bembridge Harbour is a serious problem
Bembridge is a popular place for visitors both afloat and on land. It has a rural character and an atmosphere of great charm. On a beautiful evening, with the sun setting in the west, the tinkling of the yachts’ rigging and the call of the birds on the mudflats, it is hard to imagine change. … Continue reading Silting in Bembridge Harbour is a serious problem
Solent Protection Society submits evidence to the Landscape Review
In November 2018 the Government called for evidence to be submitted to the independent review of England’s National Parks (NPs) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). This is a brief summary of some of the key points SPS has made. The full submission can be found on the SPS website by selecting this link. The … Continue reading Solent Protection Society submits evidence to the Landscape Review
The South Marine Plan in a wider context
David Attenborough recently brought the issue of the sustainability of marine resources to all our attention. A Marine Plan is a framework document and a tangible step towards sustainable seas. Over many years there have been increasing and multiple pressures in coastal waters from dredging, windfarms, communications cables, pipelines, bottom trawling, shipping, leisure activities and … Continue reading The South Marine Plan in a wider context
Annex to the report on changes to the South Marine Plan
Following on from our report on the South Marine Plan becoming law, we have made further analysis of the detail. In brief the changes on which SPS may have had some influence would seem to be: Vision amended to be more relevant to SMP area. (Vision) More information on the Coastal Concordant. This may relate … Continue reading Annex to the report on changes to the South Marine Plan
The South Marine Plan finally becomes law
In July 2018 the government finally approved the draft South Marine Plan (SMP) on which The Solent Protection Society (SPS) and many others had commented in early 2017 and which was covered in last year’s newsletter. With the final plan, the Marine Management Organisation also published a Modifications report, setting out the changes that had … Continue reading The South Marine Plan finally becomes law
Planning in the Solent – Sept 2017 update
** Draft ** In November 2008, SPS published a paper on Planning in the Solent. Nine years on, we have revised this paper in the light of the South Marine Plan. Please take this link to view the original document, with the amendments marked in bold italic print.