Estuary Management Plan Page, Fowey Estuary Partnership, Cornwall, UK


		Fowey Estuary Management Plan The Fowey Estuary Management Plan (FEMP) was first written in 1997 as a response to the need for a holistic approach to the management of the estuary. The Fowey Estuary Partnership consulted widely with estuary user groups, the commercial sector, local authorities and the general public when the FEMP was written and have continued this consultation throughout the development of the 2003 update The FEMP was written as a practical document to inform, guide and advise. It has a whole estuary approach to management and its principle throughout is sustainable use. It is a non-statutory document and contains guidelines aimed to build on current strengths and successes. Different activities and conservation needs are covered in each section. A précis of each section is given below. You can download the sections as Acrobat pdf files by clicking each section heading. Alternatively, click on the link below for the complete FEMP. Click here for the complete Fowey Estuary Management Plan
		Sections 1 & 2 Contents, Introduction & Vision and Background Estuaries are of fundamental importance to the economy, to wildlife and to tourism. The FEMP seeks to achieve a balance between these demands placed on the Fowey Estuary and to provide a framework within which decisions can be made and actions can be taken. The vision is to work towards sustainable future for the Fowey Estuary and to create a culture of openness and communication. Various international, European and UK conventions and directives have been put in place to recognise the importance of estuaries and to safeguard them for the future. These recognise the need for an integrated management approach eventually leading to Estuary Management Plans being produced. There is a need for these plans to be regularly reviewed in order to provide up to date information and to provide a rolling programme of liaison and action.
		Sections 3, 4 & 5 - The Management Plan Area, Management Framework and Management Policies The estuary area covers nearly 1000 acres and is principally managed by Fowey Harbour Commissioners. The National Trust, RailTrack and the Forestry Authority, amongst others, own Land fringing the estuary. The limits of the plan are from Gribbin Head to Lantivet Bay, stretching north to the tidal limits of the rivers Fowey and Lerryn. It also covers the pills and streams leading to the river, to 5 miles of the tidal riverbed. A more flexible consideration of this boundary is sometimes needed as some issues overlap or fall outside of this boundary. The FEMP is non-statutory, therefore not covered by any laws. However, the guidelines relate to the statutory duties of organisations involved in the plan's development and the plan acts to co-ordinate these duties and forms an holistic approach to the management to the estuary. Other plans relate to the estuary and the surrounding area (download section for more detail). This plan does not impose new duties on relevant agencies, organisations or individuals, but relies on them all working together voluntarily. The Fowey Harbour Commissioners are the Lead Body and provide a central point of contact for enquiries. The Advisory Group forms the core of the Partnership, with Focus groups for specific projects and approximately 80 consultees. Management policies include providing the framework for co-operation amongst estuary users, statutory agencies and other organisations, encourage public participation, identifying future funding and improving access to high quality, up to date, relevant data for decision making.
		Sections 6, 7 & 8 Landscape Conservation, Nature Conservation and Historic Assets The landscape of the estuary is a valuable resource, which is recognised by various statutory and non-statutory designations, including lying within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and within a stretch of Heritage Coast (HC). The upper estuary lies within an Area of Great Landscape Value and the whole estuary is classified as a County Geological Site (CGS). The visual landscape attracts visitors and tourism activities and is fundamental to the areas social and economic success. The Fowey Estuary is biologically rich, in terms of both biodiversity and habitat, backed by studies from various sources. Several areas within and around the Fowey Estuary are designated areas. Lantic Bay is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and there are several Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI). The FEMP identifies the need to maximise the potential of the estuary's wildlife resource and to raise public awareness of the value of the estuary wildlife and habitats. The Fowey Estuary Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) has been set up to aid in raising public awareness and education. Several reports on the status of species and habitat are discussed here (download section for more detail). The Fowey Estuary is rich in archaeological remains and sites, as outlined in the Fowey Estuary Historic Audit (2000). The estuary contains sites and settlements protected by statutory and non-statutory designations, however many sites receive no protection. The past use of the estuary may be explored through a number of means; guided walks, interpretative literature and interpretation centres. Local archaeological heritage is managed according to ownership and status on statutory lists and the Fowey Estuary Historic Audit identified many new sites that had not been recorded before.
		Sections 9 & 10 Commercial Activities and Fisheries The aim is to ensure that commercial activities continue to thrive and grow in harmony with the valuable nature conservation, heritage, recreation and landscape of the estuary. Commercial shipping of china clay through the Port of Fowey is important in providing employment and trade in the surrounding area, and other commercial activities such as boat building are as historic and well recognised. Tourism is also valuable as a commercial activity, both through land-based visitors and those arriving by sea on yachts or cruise ship visits. Contingency arrangements for the estuary are a vital part of land and water based operations and these are covered by the Fowey Harbour Commissioners Port Emergency Plan, and by County and local councils emergency plans. The estuary is not ideal for supporting a major coastal fishery and the fishing industry in Fowey is of low commercial significance. However, shellfish are commercially grown on in the estuary due to good water quality. The estuary contains several designation areas, including those for salmon, sea trout, eels and bass. Bait harvesting takes place and is governed by a voluntary code of conduct.
		Section 11 Water Quality and Pollution The water quality is generally good and pollution low. Water quality has improved significantly since South West Waters clean sweep programme and is monitored by the Environment Agency for sewage and pollution related issues and by Fowey Port Health for algal toxins relating to shellfish production. Pollution may enter the estuary through a number of sources, mainly land run off from agriculture and roads. Pollution from boats is considered, in the form of antifouling paints. Pollution contingency planning is a vital part of land and water based activities and Fowey Harbour Commissioners have in place the statutory Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
		Sections 12 & 13 Sediment Dredging & Disposal and Litter & Waste Disposal Sediment has to be dredged from the estuary every year to maintain the deep water channel. This sediment is mainly from land-based sources entering the estuary via the rivers and work is ongoing to minimise this. Dredging activities and the disposal of dredged spoil are governed by licence through DEFRA. They are essential activities to the Port operations and to safety of navigation but are constantly reviewed to keep dredging, and therefore the amount of spoil produced, to a minimum. Sediment quality with regard to the presence of toxic heavy metals is measured as a requirement of the dredging licence and levels present are low. Furthermore, the nature of the metals is such that they are not bioavailable, ie cannot be ingested by the flora and fauna. Virtually all activities in and around the estuary involve the production of waste, the handling and disposal of which is covered by European and UK law. Various authorities are responsible for providing management for waste disposal, these are Fowey Harbour Commissioners for areas under their jurisdiction and the local councils for waste generated in the local area. Statutory waste management plans govern the way in which this is carried out. Recycling is promoted wherever possible.
		Sections 14 & 15 Tourism, Recreation & Interpretation and Access Tourism and recreation industries are vital to the local economy and the local area is used heavily for water and land based recreation. The development of green sustainable tourism is a priority and is promoted through organised activities and information centres. The Harbour becomes very busy with leisure craft, especially through the summer months, and several well-known footpaths enable the area to be explored. Interpretative strategy is an ongoing process and is presently considered to be sufficient. Road access to the estuary and its settlements is via narrow winding roads, which can become congested in the summer. Riverside access is via a number of slipways and quays and steps and there is a limited amount of foreshore access. Ferry services operate within the harbour and there are a number of bus services.
		Sections 16 The Management Programme Due to the dynamic nature of estuaries and changing needs, the management plan must retain flexibility. The FEMP aims to provide a means for resolving specific issues as well as providing a framework to provide the stimulus for further work. The targets set out in the plan have been identified as areas requiring resolution and set out the information required for this to be achieved. Targets are given a priority status, for more detail download this section.

		Complete Fowey Estuary Management Plan Click to download : Fowey Estuary Management Plan (1410Kb) Appendices 1 to 5 (208Kb) Appendix 4 Memorandum of Understanding (793Kb) Action Plan 2002 (311Kb)