Defining the Problem

It has been a long time coming, but the pressures are very close to breaking point in the Solent. Too many people, too many boats, too much shipping, crashing shellfish populations, salmon disappearing from our rivers - all are symptoms of overcrowding and commercial success, although global warming and cyclical effects may be playing a part too. Lurking round the corner we have development pressures, such as the proposed container terminal at Dibden Bay, and the policy to build 40,000 houses in the county. Even though we have designated the New Forest as a National Park, it is under a variety of threats, and there is even a possibility that the ponies will disappear because nobody can afford to own them.

Local government seems unable to deal with the issues, particularly along the shoreline where other bodies such as the Environment Agency, and English Nature, numerous harbour authorities all have management responsibilities. Additionally, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency manage search and rescue and are responsible for wastes from ships (as well as the Environment Agency!); Crown Estate are a monopoly landlord of much of the seabed; and the maritime environmental consents unit is a small (but well meaning) attempt by DEFRA and DfT to coordinate consents to protect navigation and for materials deposited on the seabed, including material dredged to keep navigational channels clear.

It is a recipe for muddle, protection of vested interests, and failure to reach an integrated solution to the many problems that exist.

The menu on the left will steer you to the key issues