Marine stewardship was established to support practical projects, relevant research, and other initiatives that improve the status and management of the marine estate.
Since 1998 the entire programme has provided almost £5 million to research into aquaculture, dredging, and community projects.
With around 55% of the foreshore, approximately half of all estuary beds and tidal rivers and the seabed out to the 12 mile territorial limit, the marine estate is the largest and most diverse within The Crown Estate. We are committed to sustainable and long-term management of these unique assets.
Marine stewardship helps deliver these aims and contributes to our corporate responsibility policy and plan.
The programme comprises two funding streams:
- Marine Communities Fund - community initiatives that further good management of the marine estate
- Marine Research Fund - scientific projects that underpin our knowledge of the activities we manage
Marine Stewardship Strategy Group
The strategic focus of marine stewardship is directed by our marine stewardship strategy group. Chaired by board member Dinah Nichols, this steering group meets every six months to ensure the programme remains relevant to the management of the marine estate and addresses the drivers in our corporate responsibility policy.
Evaluation of the overall programme is an important part of work of the strategy group and we have produced an annual report which provides a summary of achievements over the past year.
Marine stewardship is managed by the policy, science & sustainable development team within the marine estate. Fiona Wynne and David Philip manage the marine communities fund across the UK and Professor Mike Cowling manages the marine research fund. These form part of the marine estate science and research strategy which is overseen by Dr Carolyn Heeps, Head of Policy & Sustainable Development.
Further Information
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