Have your say on North Devon’s Marine Natural Capital Plan

The North Devon Marine Natural Capital Plan, which has been developed over the past three years in partnership with a range of organisations through the North Devon Marine Pioneer, is now out for consultation.

If you are a North Devon and Torridge resident, business or visitor  – The North Devon Biosphere team needs your input to our Marine Natural Capital Plan.

The North Devon Biosphere team, with the help of academics, local stakeholder groups and regulatory bodies (including the fishing industry, conservation organisations, businesses, local groups and people, marine managers and scientists), have identified a number of aims and objectives that make up the Plan. The plan is designed to put nature first, with thoughtful and sustainable local actions to improve and restore the marine environment for the benefit of people, society and the local economy, now and in the future. However, to have a workable plan, feedback and new suggestions from local people and visitors to the North Devon Biosphere are vitally important.

If you value the natural beauty of our seas and coasts, care about protecting nature, are a user of our water environment or someone whose livelihood depends on it – this is your opportunity to be heard. Get involved and have your say on how we use and protect our marine environment.

The consultation will run up until 12 noon on 16th April 2020, after which feedback will be published on the North Devon Biosphere website, the North Devon Biosphere’s newsletter, or directly by email (where needed and where permissions have been given). The Biosphere team will also produce a summary of the consultation. All stakeholder input will be taken into consideration but we will make decisions to include or exclude information dependant on legality, and fit with the plans aims but we will be clear with people who have responded as to how those decisions were made and, where possible produce a summary of responses – showing where feedback has shaped the plan, and where we have had to make concessions.   We would like to reiterate that not all responses/feedback will result in a change to the plan, but that all responses will be considered.

During this consultation period, we will be asking you to consult on (please follow the links in the text):

• The Draft North Devon Marine Natural Capital Plan
• Appendix 1 North Devon Marine Natural Capital Plan Sustainability Assessment
• Appendix 2 Action Plan
• Appendix 3 Indicator Table 
• Appendix 4 The Marine Natural Capital Plan GeoNode  and guidance 

You can also ask for a word version of this survey by contacting marineplan@devoncc.onmicrosoft.com

Although the above method is preferred, you can submit also comments:

• via email to marineplan@devoncc.onmicrosoft.com
• in writing to – Marine Natural Capital plan, North Devon Biosphere, Taw View, Barnstaple, EX31 1EE
• over the telephone by calling on 01271 388590 or 01271 388669. ​
• by inviting us to attend your community group meetings (staff resource permitting) in March 2020 by emailing us.
• by visiting a drop-in event – see table below for details.