Severn Estuary Forum Set to Take Place in October

The 2018 Severn Estuary Forum, under the name “Making the Most of Our Estuary’s Resources”, is set to take place on Tuesday, 9th October, 2018, at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Center in Newport, located on the west bank of the River Usk on the Bristol Packet Wharf in the city center.

The forum will discuss the latest research and policy developments involving the Severn Estuary and its future, involving a lively and informative day of presentations and talks.

The event will include:

Connecting with ‘Our Estuary’s Past’ – Chaired by Andrew Marvell, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust

  • Restoring the Heritage of the Lower Severn Vale Levels – Miriam Woolnough, A Forgotten Landscape;
  • Discovering the Heritage of the Severn Estuary: The Newport Medieval Ship – Dr Toby Jones, Newport City Council;
  • Recapturing, Enhancing and Celebrating the Gwent Levels – Alison Boyes, Living Levels Project.

‘Our Estuary’s Resources’ – Chaired by John Harrison, Severn Estuary Partnership

  • Aggregate Dredging in the Severn Estuary – Ed Skinner, Tarmac Marine, British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) & Nigel Griffiths, Hanson Aggregates Marine, BMAPA;
  • Challenges and Opportunities of Working Alongside the Severn Estuary – John Phillips, Associated British Ports;
  • Developing the Tourism Offer for a Sustainable Severn – Gerwyn Evans, Visit Wales;
  • Assessing the Value of Severn Estuary Habitats as Nurseries for Juvenile Fishes: Concepts and Approaches – Dr Ben Ciotti, University of Plymouth.

Planning for ‘Our Estuary’s Future’

  • Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement: Reflections on Marine Planning in the South West – Marine Management Organisation;
  • Cross-border Marine Planning & the Welsh National Marine Plan – Welsh Government;
  • Catchment Sensitive Farming on the Somerset Levels and Moors – Steve Marston, Natural England;
  • Severn Estuary Partnership: 2018 Round Up – Lucy Taylor, Severn Estuary Partnership.