Marine aggregate extraction

Marine aggregate

Marine aggregate, such as sand and gravel, is a finite resource and must be sustainably managed to ensure supplies are still available for future generations. Marine aggregate can be used as construction material, for land reclamation or beach replenishment. Most of the extraction takes place in the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and off the North Wales coast.

Marine aggregate extraction can have impacts on the environment such as on benthic ecology and fish. Careful planning and siting of sites is essential to avoid and minimise impacts.

Consenting and assessments

Find advice, data and evidence for your marine aggregate extraction activity:

• Marine licence information and guidance on applying from our Permitting Service
• Using adaptive management for marine developments
• Scoping an Environmental Impact Assessment for marine developments
• NRW and Environmental Assessments
• Conservation legislation for marine vertebrates in Wales

Receptors

• How to carry out assessments on benthic habitats
• Marine physical processes and EIA

Data for assessments

• Marine habitats and species data and uses in developments

NRW evidence priorities, research and reports

• Marine and coastal evidence reports

Other information sources

• Welsh Government Marine Planning for the Welsh National Marine Plan
• The Crown Estate manage most of the seabed and award leases for extraction
• Marine Data Exchange hosted by The Crown Estate where you can access aggregate data
• British Marine Aggregates Producers Association (BMAPA) the represented trade body have resources and guidance available
• Cefas Data Hub to access Regional Seabed Monitoring Programme (RSMP) baseline datasets

Contact us

If you are considering marine aggregate extraction in Welsh waters, please get in touch with us at an early stage marine.area.advice@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk