Engagement strategy
Marine Conservation Zones are intended to protect a range of nationally important, rare or threatened habitats and species and it is the role of regulators to ensure that the conservation objectives of MCZs are achieved whilst allowing sustainable use of marine resources.
The social, economic, and cultural importance of the Cromer Chalk Beds MCZ means that there is significant strength of feeling within the local community, with various stakeholders having differing priorities.
It is important to facilitate co-operation and communication between stakeholder groups in developing and implementing management collaboratively for the benefit of all who have a connection with the site.
To support this, Eastern IFCA have revised an engagement strategy and plan which seeks to identify the key barriers to effective communication relevant to the delivery of ARM, identify the favourable outcome by setting a vision, and sets out how the project will seek to achieve this via objectives and associated principles.
The strategy is intended to be reviewed and updated over time as a reflection of the dynamic and adaptive process for managing the site.