The Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum (TECF) is a partnership of organisations and local authorities with statutory responsibility towards the management of the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries Marine Protected Area (MPA). TECF and its advisory groups – the Port of Plymouth Marine Liaison Committee (PPMLC) and the Wembury Voluntary Marine Conservation Area Advisory Group (WAG) – provide an effective and collaborative framework for managing the MPA whilst recognising the commercial, defence and recreational importance of the site.
The Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum
TECF
TECF is chaired by the Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) for the Dockyard Port of Plymouth, and hosted by Plymouth City Council. The Forum is made up of Relevant Authorities – government departments and public or statutory bodies with local powers or functions that have, or could have, an impact over the marine environment of the Marine Protected Area.
The Forum meets three times a year to review progress on the objectives of the Tamar Estuaries Management Plan, discuss activities, incidents and developments that may impact the marine environment, and to provide a consistent, holistic and collaborative management approach for the MPA. The Tamar Estuaries Management Plan and minutes from previous meetings can be found here.
TECF Members
Queen’s Harbour Master – Chair
The Queen’s Harbour Master and team are responsible for ensuring safe and orderly passage and activity for all vessels within the waters of the Dockyard Port of Plymouth, as well as the protection of the port, the Royal Navy and its vessels and other government assets. Their responsibilities also include environmental issues, oil pollution contingency and response and conservation to the management of the water space for all users.
● royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/plymouth
● 01752 663225 (Port Control Longroom)
Plymouth City Council – Host and Coordinator
As one of the five Local Authorities that border the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries MPA, Plymouth City Council have a regulatory commitment, under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, to reach and/or maintain favourable status of the designated species and habitats of the marine site.
● 01752 304339
Associated British Ports
Associated British Ports operate Millbay Docks, the ferry terminal with routes to France and Spain.
Cattewater Harbour Commissioners
The Cattewater Harbour Commissioners maintain and order safe navigation for craft by surveying and dredging the channels, maintaining navigation marks and lights, providing pilotage services and traffic regulation within the Cattewater and pilotage services to the remainder of the civil port.
● 01752 823706
Cornwall Council
As one of the five Local Authorities that border the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries MPA, Cornwall Council have a regulatory commitment, under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, to reach and/or maintain favourable status of the designated species and habitats of the marine site.
● 0300 1234 100
Cornwall IFCA
The Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) have a responsibility to manage inshore sea fisheries under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MaCCA), which includes the introduction and enforcement of permitting and byelaws in inshore waters. Cornwall IFCA manage the waters on the Cornwall side of the MPA.
● 01736 336842
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) supports our armed forces by building, maintaining and servicing the infrastructure needed to support defence.
● gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-infrastructure-organisation
Devon County Council
As one of the five Local Authorities that border the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries MPA, Devon County Council have a regulatory commitment, under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, to reach and/or maintain favourable status of the designated species and habitats of the marine site.
● 0345 1551015
Devon & Severn IFCA
The Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) have a responsibility to manage inshore sea fisheries under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MaCCA), which includes the introduction and enforcement of permitting and byelaws in inshore waters. Devon and Severn IFCA manage the waters on the Devon side of the MPA.
● 01803 854648
● Out Of Hours: 07740 175479
Duchy of Cornwall
The Duchy of Cornwall is a major owner of the fundus (seabed) throughout the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries MPA and supports conservation projects that help to protect the marine environment. The Duchy also have a role in planning consents in their areas of ownership.
● 01579 343149
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency’s remit includes regulating major industry and waste, flood risk and coastal management, managing water quality and resources, fisheries in inland rivers, and conservation and ecological management.
● gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
● 03708 506506
● Incident hotline: 0800 807060
Historic England
Historic England are responsible for England’s protected heritage sites, including shipwrecks.
● South West office: 0117 9751308
Marine Management Organisation
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) license, regulate and plan marine activities in the seas around England so that they’re carried out in a sustainable way. They’re responsible for marine licensing in inshore waters, including any area which is submerged at mean high water spring tide up to the territorial limit, as well as the waters of estuaries, rivers or channels where the tide flows at mean high water spring tide. The offshore areas include waters beyond the territorial limit in so far as they comprise the exclusive economic zone and the UK sector of the continental shelf.
● gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-management-organisation
● 0300 1231032
Natural England
Natural England provide advice and guidance on the ecological features of the Marine Protected Area and the activities that may impact them. They set out the conservation objectives for the site and the standards against which their status is determined (favourable or unfavourable), as well monitoring the status of the site and providing condition assessments.
● gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-England
● 0300 0603900
South Devon AONB
South Devon AONB manage the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that stretches along part of the MPA coastline from Jennycliffe Bay to the most eastern point of the MPA and beyond.
South Hams District Council
As one of the five Local Authorities that border the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries MPA, South Hams District Council have a regulatory commitment, under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, to reach and/or maintain favourable status of the designated species and habitats of the marine site.
South West Water
South West Water is the water and wastewater service provider for Devon and Cornwall.
Sutton Harbour
Sutton Harbour’s Harbour Master has overall responsibility for the operation of the Sutton Harbour and the lock.
Tamar Valley AONB
Tamar Valley AONB manage the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that includes the Lynher River and the the Tamar Estuary north of Warren Point.
West Devon Borough Council
As one of the five Local Authorities that border the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries MPA, West Devon Borough Council have a regulatory commitment, under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, to reach and/or maintain favourable status of the designated species and habitats of the marine site.
● 01822 813600
ADVISORY GROUPS
Whilst TECF provides the means for delivering integrated coastal management for the MPA, it is only achieved through partnership action and bringing together stakeholders to inform, support and implement these policies and actions in a collaborative and coordinated way. We work closely with our advisory groups and stakeholders to ensure that management actions are in the best interests of the environment and the marine sites users, ensuring the sustainable on-going use of the MPA for recreation, commerce, tourism, research and defence.
Port of Plymouth Marine Liaison Committee
The Port of Plymouth Marine Liaison Committee (PPMLC) is chaired by the Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) and includes representatives of the various recreational user groups, commercial business owners, local stakeholders and interest groups.
The aim of PPMLC is to ensure on-going social, economic and environmental benefits through the promotion of sustainable use, development and management of the important common asset that is the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries. PPMLC acts as an advisory body to TECF and is an integral element in the MPA management process. Download PPMLC Terms of Reference.
PPMLC includes representatives from the following groups:
– Crime abatement
– Education & awareness
– Fisheries
– Fundus (seabed) owners/managers
– Landscape conservation
– Marine commerce
– Maritime archeology
– Moorings
– Nature conservation
– Navigation & rescue
– Public health
– Recreation & tourism
– Research
– Town & Parish Councils
Wembury Voluntary Marine Conservation Area Advisory Group
The Wembury Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (WAG) is made up from organisations with an interest in the management of
WAG’s objectives are to promote:
– The conservation and study of the Wembury Marine Conservation Area, and
– The education of the public, school children and students in the principles of marine conservation by the use of various interpretive media.
The Group works closely with the Wembury Marine Centre and runs a programme of events approximately every month.