PISCES brings together the coastal Partnerships in the North West
	PISCES aims to promote sustainable use and integrated management of the North West coast

The North West Coast - a priceless treasure

The North West coast is simply priceless. It is an engine for economic growth, a place for simple and timeless pleasures, and a source of wonder and inspiration for us all. From Albert Dock and Blackpool Tower to Morecambe Bay and Formby Dunes, the coast symbolises our very character and vitality.

We want to celebrates this superb coastline, and highlight important issues facing its future. We hope this will make you think afresh about the coast.

Something to be proud of

The coast gives us much to be proud of and to value. Things like beach holidays, lazy promenades and bracing dips. Open skies, empty horizons and sweeping seascapes. Wheeling gulls and salty tales. A maritime history of canals, docks, quays and ferries across the Mersey. Oil and gas and a prime site for industry. Cockle gathering, salmon netting, and sailing boats. A fabulous home for people and wildlife. A place to lose and find ourselves…

We are part of the coast, and it is part of us - it deserves the best care we can give it.

Some facts and figures about the North West coast

	From the Solway to the Dee, the coastal landscapes are amongst the most varied and highly valued in Europe
	Over 80% of the North West coastline has been designated as of European importance for wildlife and international importance for birds
	Coastal trade, industry and tourism provide livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of North West families
	As a gateway to Europe, North West ports annually carry around 50 million tonnes of cargo
	Traditional fishing methods form part of the living heritage of the North West coast

What are the main issues and threats?

Clean coastal waters - top of our list of concerns. Here, the very image of the North West is at stake. Bathing water quality is a major issue being addressed by the Environment Agency, North West Water, and through the North West Bathing Waters Forum. Each local partnership is involved in raising awareness and communicating with the public. Marine litter and beach debris are also important issues, and local partnerships are working on improvements.

Global climate change and sea level rise demand attention now. To deal with increasing storminess, and prevent flooding we have to take a long-term approach and work with nature. Through Shoreline Management Plans we seek to secure protection for urban areas, and encourage the development of natural systems of coastal defence, like sand dunes and salt marsh.

Recreation and tourism need careful management to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience. In some areas we have made excellent progress with practical issues such as improved public access, visitor information, and public safety. Elsewhere, as the number of visitors increases, we still have more work to do.

Natural coastal environments and landscapes in the North West are distinctive and irreplaceable. By working in partnership with other agencies including English Nature and local authorities we seek to promote sympathetic management.

Rising to the challenge

The coastal environment is complex, and one where all our activities have knock-on effects. Sea defences built in one place can increase erosion elsewhere. Pollution and marine litter can have wide ranging impacts on tourism and marine life. Some recreational activities may disturb birds or displace other users. Developments in intertidal areas may upset the local ecology, damage fish nursery areas and so cause economic hardship.

All this means that we have to take an integrated and long term view in managing the coast. We need to be aware of how one use of the coast can affect others.

An opportunity for partnership

Significant achievements have been made in cleaning up the quality of coastal waters. Coastal tourism supports tens of thousands of jobs in the region. With the growing oil and gas industry, sea fisheries, shipping, and ship-building it is important to sustain the coast that supports the jobs and needs of so many North West families. This vision of a thriving, dynamic coast needs to be developed in harmony with nature.

10 local partnerships have come together to form PISCES - the Partnership of Irish Sea Coast and Estuary Strategies.

Sustainable use means working with nature and seeking harmony with economic and social needs. Integrated management needs to take place at many different scales, from within each estuary, along the open coast, to the Irish Sea and beyond.

Benefits of our work

There are many important benefits of the work of the local coastal partnerships that form PISCES:

	The involvement of local people in shaping the future of the coast
	Conflicts prevented through better communication and understanding
	Co-ordinated management programmes
	Influence on policy development
	Appropriate access for recreation and enjoyment
	Sensitive management of wildlife and landscapes
	Raised awareness about the coastal and marine environment
	Better monitoring of the coast and information about the pressures it faces

All these things can stimulate investment and improve the social, economic and environmental quality of the coast. And ultimately, this will ensure that coastal resources are available in the long term for the benefit and use of all.

Co-ordination and integration

Each of the 10 local partnership brings together different interests and organisations to solve common problems and open new opportunities.

Partners include public, private and voluntary bodies such as local authorities, English Nature, the Environment Agency, North West Water, British Energy and Associated British Ports, local sailing clubs and residents’ associations.

The coast needs co-ordination and this requires support

The strongly interconnected nature of the coast means that co-ordination and integration of planning and decision making is essential.

The individual partnerships can deliver this at a local level with adequate funding and support. Regional co-ordination will be strengthened by the recent formation of a North West Coastal Forum.

Taking a regional approach to decision making is a huge opportunity. PISCES works closely with the new regional structures (North West Development Agency and North West Regional Assembly) as well as the Irish Sea Forum to deliver our shared commitment to integrated coastal planning.

We need the continued support of agencies, organisations and individuals with an interest in the coast to secure

	stronger coastal partnerships
	integrated coastal management
	the sustainable use of our coast
	funding for partnership work.

Call your local partnership to find out how you can help.