Coastwise North Devon is already having an impact, within months of its formation.
Local organisations have given the initiative a warm welcome, and collaborations are underway with input into Devon Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas project now being planned, and representation on the North Devon’s Biosphere Partnership in the offing.
Chair Paula Ferris says “We are delighted by the reaction of the DWT and Biosphere as well as the warm welcome we have received from the Taw/Torridge Estuary Forum, and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). They all recognise the importance of the coastal and marine environment to North Devon and welcome our timely interest just as the government thinking that will shape marine policy is being rolled out .”
Coastwise has become a recognised Defra stakeholder for consultation purposes,and has recently responded to the government’s latest marine bill consultation, advocating a clearer commitment to conservation and increased public engagement in the relevant processes. Meanwhile the government is clarifying the marine objectives the Bill is intended to deliver and ahs issued another consultation paper "Our Seas – a shared resource", to which Coastwise will respond by the deadline of 30 September 2008 (link). Anyone wanting to get involved should contact [email protected]