Your Coast - Explore, Enjoy, Protect (The Wash and North Norfolk Online Event)

Responsible recreation management in marine protected areas.

Have your say on management measures to protect The Wash and North Norfolk's marine environment

Do you enjoy spending time in or on the water? Join our discussion and have your say on our findings.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will present management proposals that will protect The Wash and North Norfolk Coast Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and our findings. We will also share our findings and seek views on proposals to protect seals in The Wash and Norfolk Coast SAC, an area home to over 90% of England’s harbour seal population.

Our workshop will focus on anchoring, wildlife watching boat tours, and other marine recreational activities and how they are impacting your marine environment. We will not be discussing fishing at this event.

We are hosting two in person workshops in Wells-next-the-sea, one to discuss all protected habitats and species in The Wash and North Norfolk SAC and a separate workshop to discuss seals in The Wash and North Norfolk SAC. Book tickets for the seal workshop here, and the workshop for all protected habitats and species in the The Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC event here.

This is your opportunity to share your views and play a role in protecting your marine environment.

It follows our series of events in 2024, where we gathered evidence from you of the types on the range of marine recreational activities that take place in The Wash and off North Norfolk.

Find out more about MMO's work in relation to marine non-licensable activities.

Event details

The event will be facilitated to make sure that there is an opportunity for all participants to contribute in a comfortable and open way.

Why are we holding this event

MMO's Marine Conservation Team wants to balance the diverse values associated with this area with the need to protect the marine environment. Your local knowledge and views are essential part of this process.

The designated areas around the North Norfolk Coast form part of the UK’s contribution to the international network of marine protected areas, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services vital to both nature and local livelihoods.

Management may be required where marine non-licensable activities are having an impact on the features of the protected site. Following our initial scoping engagement and assessment we are returning to the area to discuss the proposed management measures.

Tickets include:

• Presentation from MMO on our work managing recreational activities

• Presentation of the outcomes from our most recent workshop in The Wash and North Norfolk

• An opportunity to shape management measures at The Wash and North Norfolk SAC