Residents, businesses and other organisations are being invited to have their say on an ambitious new blueprint to protect the region’s marine environment.
Cornwall Council has drafted the proposals in partnership with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine and Coastal Partnership, following engagement through surveys, workshops and webinars over the past year.
A public consultation on the draft Marine Nature Recovery Framework is launched today, August 28, and runs until midnight on October 10.
The plan sets out a shared vision for how to recover the region’s marine biodiversity, tackle the climate and ecological emergency, and ensure our seas are healthy, resilient and thriving for generations to come.
It complements the published statutory Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery Strategy which extends to the low water mark and supports national goals such as the target to have 30% of land, rivers and seas well managed for nature by 2030.
Cllr Loic Rich, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said:
“Our new Marine Nature Recovery Framework is a call to action for everyone - from us a local authority to marine industries to volunteers and residents.
“We want to hear from everyone - you could be a fisher, a marine business, swimmer, surfer, coastal resident or someone who is interested in our coast and marine nature.
“All your insights will help shape a future for Cornwall where nature and people thrive together.”
Covering marine and coastal waters from the high-water mark out to 12 nautical miles, the draft Marine Nature Recovery Framework identifies priority habitats and species needing protection, maps restoration opportunities, and outlines actions to support sustainable marine management.
Feedback from the consultation will be used to refine the Framework before its final publication later this year.
There is also a free online webinar on the Marine Nature Recovery Framework on September 24 at 7pm.
Story published August 28, 2025