Marine

• The seas off South East England support a wide range of habitats and wildlife, including submerged chalk reefs, seagrass beds, worm reefs, marine mammals (e.g. porpoises) and commercially important fish such as cod and herring.
• Marine biodiversity represents a major component of the Region's natural heritage. The condition of marine habitats and wildlife is inextricably linked with the Region's economic and social activity.
• There is a collective responsibility to ensure that marine biodiversity is conserved and enhanced, and that activities that can impact on the marine environment are managed in a sustainable way.
• Coastal habitats need to be allowed to adapt to sea level rise, through positive policies in Shore line Management Plans and Flood Defence Strategies.