In England, people have a strong sense of identity with the coastal and marine environment, from fish and chips, to a day on the beach, to a link with the rest of the world. Living on an island is fundamental to our national and cultural identity. England has a rich maritime history. Many of the structures that identify our past and current relationship with the sea (such as lighthouses, fishing villages, local harbours and piers) remain intact, as a tangible reminder of our nautical heritage.

The state of the maritime environment should matter to us all. At a global level we rely on the sea to support ‘unseen’ processes such as those that regulate the global climate. At a local level we depend on our coasts and seas for resources such as fisheries and aggregates. The environment also enriches our quality of life. One in three people live within 10 km of the coast and many people look to our coasts and seas for inspiration and relaxation1. This ‘hidden value’ is frequently overlooked in the economic case for development, but it must be recognised that conservation has social and financial benefits, as well as biodiversity gains. For example, in 1998, 51% of people in England visited the seaside. Many of these visitors will have spent money in the local economy. Recreational anglers, who share an interest in a healthy maritime environment, are estimated to be spending around £140 million each year in the coastal economies of England and Wales.

A sustainable approach can also save money. For example, an 80-metre broad band of saltmarsh in front of a sea defence soaks up wave energy that would otherwise impact the defence structures. This lowers the standard of defence needed, and can save around £5 million per kilometre4. The World Bank estimates the cost of environmentally sustainable management of the Mediterranean to be half the cost of dealing with the consequences of mismanagement.

Prevention is better than cure, and more cost effective. Remediation required as a result of poor management is expensive.

A place of diversity

Our coast is spectacular - from the granite coastline of Cornwall, the unique geology of the East Devon and Dorset World Heritage Site, the world famous wetlands, saltmarshes and seabird communities of Norfolk to the hauntingly beautiful sand dunes of the Northumbrian coast. But many people do not realise the diversity and range of our coastal and marine wildlife. England has an important mixture of maritime species and habitats, influenced by the division between colder Arctic and warmer Mediterranean waters around our shores. Dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and whales can all be seen around the coasts of England.

In addition our seas contain around another 40,000 species. This complex of species provides the fundamental character to our marine ecosystems. Most of these species are completely hidden from view and unknown to most people. Given the global, European and national importance of our maritime ecosystems, society as a whole, and Government in particular, must take responsibility to ensure the long term, wise and sustainable use of this resource. This biodiversity includes groups of animals that are almost entirely restricted to the marine environment such as sponges, hydroids (sea-firs), sea anemones, bryozoans (sea-mats), echinoderms (sea urchins, starfish and their relatives) and ascidians (seasquirts). In fact, more than twice the number of major animal groups (phyla) are found in England’s seas than on the land. This diversity is largely founded upon the great variation of England’s geology and geomorphology. Much of England’s coastline is designated wholly, or in part, as Sites of Special Scientific Interest for its geology. These cliff and foreshore sites contain exposures of rocks ranging in age from 480 million years to the recent past (the last 10,000 years), where they provide evidence for understanding change in the past, and indicate what the future might hold.