Aims and Objectives

Visions for the future of Devon Maritime Forum:

“The Devon Maritime Forum strives to be a key partnership in Devon for voluntary, statutory and private sector organisations that have a stake in marine and coastal issues in Devon.  We aim to remain open, neutral and inclusive in order to deliver aspects of Integrated Coastal Zone Management and sustainability for our coasts and seas.”

The Purpose of the Devon Maritime Forum is to:

• Publicise and promote the fundamental value of the maritime environment by acting as a ‘champion of the sea’ that raises the profile of marine issues and concerns

• Promote the use of our coasts and seas as places of opportunity for sustainable marine industries

• Restore and protect marine ecosystems and ecosystem function

• Provide a strategic, coherent voice for maritime Devon in order to highlight priorities and lobby effectively

• To support informed, balanced and robust decision-making through working in partnership

• Place marine and coastal issues at the heart of local, regional, national and international policy

• Lead on engagement in marine and coastal issues in Devon

The Forum aims to:

• Expand its membership to reflect the interests of all sectors in order to generate balanced debate

• Emphasise its role as a debating forum and for the resolution of conflicts through stakeholder dialogue and participation

• To be a voice for marine issues affecting Devon

• Influence policy development effectively by making informed representations that identify possible solutions at a local level to conflicting interests.  Within this context it will:

  • Need to strengthen lobbying roles at county and national levels

  • Respond to consultations effectively

  • Provide a ‘proofing service’ for new legislation that might be inimical to Devon  

  • Formation of formal lobbying links to central government

  • Take a leading role in the LAA

• Develop action/topic groups as required by the membership