Potential risk of Sewage discharge in HPMAs and MPAs

Natural England has been asked for advice on whether sewerage discharges may be occurring within or close to two proposed Highly Protected Marine Areas in such a way that they may hinder recovery of the marine natural environment. In this context, the draft conservation objectives for the pilot HPMAs are "To achieve full natural recovery of the structure and functions, features, qualities and composition of characteristic biological communities present within HPMAs and prevent further degradation and damage to the marine ecosystem subject to natural change". This project will help to collate and update the evidence base on the pressures and impacts from sewerage discharges occurring within or closely adjacent to each of the inshore candidate pilot HPMA sites. Natural England will utilise the outputs to provide recommendations to Defra based on the evidence on minimising and mitigating impacts to non-damaging levels. This information will help to provide a sound evidence base for competent authorities to consider management at a site level using evidence-based advice and to target future research to improve recovery of the environment in HPMAs and wider MPAs.

Additional information: Quotations and proposals for completing the work should be submitted as detailed in the Request for Quotation Document. Questions on the process or regarding the project may be submitted via email by the end of 28th September, and the closing date for submissions to hazel.selley@naturalengland.org.uk is 12 noon Monday 3rd October. As this is a request for competitive quotes, the value of the contract will not be disclosed, procurement will be managed by Natural England in line with our Financial Scheme of Delegation section E https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-financial-schedule-of-delegation/natural-england-financial-scheme-of-delegation#part-e-procurement