Provision of expert scientific advice on licence applications and measures for regulating and controlling activities in the coastal zone
Project description and benefits
This ongoing project involves providing Defra with expert scientific assessments regarding the environmental effects concerning licence applications and measures for regulating and controlling activities in the coastal zone. These activities include:
- Disposal of material at sea, including construction below the high water mark
- Discharges from pipelines, including polluting effluents and sewage
The project also involves monitoring the impact of licensed activities, providing Defra with expert scientific and technical advice on all aspects of the impact of activities in the coastal zone, and providing scientific advice on developments in national and international policy.
Services provided by Cefas
Cefas advises Defra on the view it should take with respect to approving individual licence applications. This advice centres on assessing the physical and biological impacts of disposal and deposition activities on the marine environment. This includes consideration of water quality, bio-diversity, fisheries and human health issues. In reviewing these issues Cefas considers the following:
- resources in the area, such as existing and potential fisheries, spawning and nursery grounds and food organisms
- toxicity of the effluent, including its potential for bioaccumulation
- chemical components of the effluent, especially materials which are carcinogenic, radioactive or liable to taint seafood
- hydrography of receiving waters, such as the likely rate of dilution and dispersion, and water movement
- relevant standards, national policy, international agreements, etc.
Cefas monitors the impacts of licensed activities by inspection visits and provides regular reports on deposition activities.
