About PISCES - who we are, our aims and objectives, achievements

What is PISCES ?

PISCES is a grouping of coastal initiatives located in the North West region of England. It includes the Dee, Duddon and Mersey Estuary Strategies; the Morecambe Bay, Solway Firth and Ribble Estuary Partnerships; Sefton Coast Management Scheme; the Solway Rural Initiative, the Lake District National Park Coast and the Cumbria Marine Litter Project.

PISCES aims to:

	raise awareness of the strategic importance of the North West coast
	build support for the sustainable use and integrated management of the North West coast.

PISCES objectives are to:

	ensure that coastal issues are high on the political agenda
	stimulate debate on strategic issues affecting the North West coast
	raise the profile of the North West coast with key decision makers and organisations, including the North West Development Agency and the North West Regional Assembly, are being developed.

Who does PISCES work with?

PISCES works to achieve its aims and objectives with all agencies with an interest in the coast and the future of the North West Region. PISCES works very closely with the North West Coastal Forum and liaison has also been formalised with the North West Coastal Group. A Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed between PISCES and the Irish Sea Forum.

What has PISCES achieved?

	PISCES was instrumental in lobbying for the formation of, and is an active partner in, the North West Coastal Forum.
	PISCES continues to explore opportunities for joint funding to develop projects that will benefit the North West coast.
	PISCES has responded to many consultations including DEFRA, DTI, EU, NWDA, BWEA, etc.
	PISCES set up a North West coast web portal at www.nwcoastalforum.co.uk which has information and links to all of the PISCES partners and other coastal organisations.
	The Comparative Review Paper comparing the ten coast and estuary partnerships that form PISCES was published in January 2001.
	In May 2000 PISCES produced an information leaflet for regional decision-makers was produced.
	The North West Coast Regional asset - strategic view - Report on Consultation was distributed in June 1999.
	In December 1998, PISCES commissioned a report on The North West Coast Regional asset - strategic view (consultation draft).

The work of PISCES has been supported by a grant from English Nature's marine programme. PISCES also acknowledges the support of Cumbria County Council, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, the officers and steering groups of the constituent strategies and partnerships, and the Environment Agency.

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