the philosophy of the SIFR is to pro- vide a general framework for research programmes in the identified areas, with specific subprogrammes or pro- jects carried out by one research group linked to those being carried out by other research groups, within either the same country or region.

Research collaboration

The key words of this initiative are cooperation and collaboration in re- search - at national, regional and in- ternational levels.

The rewards for this collaborative approach are strongly hinted at in the report: more effective research attracts greater funding. In the case of

ICLARM, its formal recognition in 1991 by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (the CGIAR) should result in a doubl- ing of its budget and its research staff over the next couple of years.

Increased funding of a similar mag- nitude is unlikely to be forthcoming from the multilateral and bilateral agencies in the immediate future. However, ultimately, this is the carrot that the SIFR attempts to dangle in front of national governments if they are willing to play the ‘ColIaboration sans frontieres’ game.

While the arguments for the divi- sion of research effort on a regional basis may be eminently logical on pap- er, national and scientific prestige may prove to be powerful barriers to the

Report~C~nfere~ce reports

effective implementation of such a strategy.

It remains to be seen if the plan of action ever makes its way off the drawing board. It certainly will not be a straight forward task; and will prob- ably require more than a little press- ure from the lead multilateral agencies involved, particularly the World Bank and the Commission of the European Communities, if its worthy goals are to be realized.

‘World Bank and others. A Study of Inter- national Fishedes Research, Policy and Research Series 19, 1992.

Conference reports New directions for the Humber

Humber Estuary Conference, Hull, UK, 5 ~ove~~e~ 1992

In an otherwise lukewarm government response to the recent House of Com- mons Environment Committee report Coastal Zone P~~tec~~o~ and P~a~~~ng,l

the Department of Environment2 did react positively to the need for im- proved management of estuaries. It was, therefore, an opportune and cri- tical moment for Humberside County Council and the National Rivers Au- thority (NRA) to gather together a diverse array of individuals represent- ing organizations with an interest in the future of the Humber Estuary

By highlighting aspects of water quality, nature conservation and eco- nomic development of the surround- ing region, the meeting attempted to address the question of whether pre- sent arrangements for estuary man- agement were adequate, a particularly crucial question in view of moves to- wards reorganization of local govern- ment in the UK and the possible aboli- tion of the county of Humberside.

MARINE POLICY March 1993

Biophysical overview

The conference began with a cogent review of the geomorphoiogjcal and ecological importance of the estuary delivered by Neville Jones of the Uni- versity of Hull. Jones emphasized that the Humber is an international estuary and should be considered as one of a sequence of estuaries around the North Sea. Nevertheless, delegates were reminded that, in the UK con- text, the Humber is of enormous im- portance. The estuary has the largest catchment of any in the UK (draining 20% of England and Wales), one fifth of the UK population lives within this catchment and the Humber is one of the largest contributors of freshwater into the North Sea. The long shoreline of the estuary and its large intertidal area are also important, particularly in terms of biological productivity.

Pollution levels in the estuary were also discussed. The Humber has been

labelled an open sewer by a repre- sentative of the European Parliament and is certainly a significant contribu- tor to loadings of pollutants in the North Sea. Jones, however, was able to suggest that the Humber remains biologically viable and its high produc- tivity is reflected in the numbers and diversity of waders and waterfowl uti- lizing the estuary as an overwintering ground.

Planning and management

A theme touched on by virtually every speaker was the need to balance eco- nomic development with environmen- tal protection. Gordon Roberts of Humberside County Council reviewed the ability of the existing planning framework to achieve such a balance. The pressures on the Humber are varied (including industrial develop- ment, shipping, waste disposal and recreation) and are of such intensity that the much touted principle of environmentally sustainable de- velopment may be difficult to oper- ationalize. Roberts suggested that one shortcoming of present arrangements is that estuaries receive no special treatment in the planning process.

137

Conference reports

Perhaps not surprisingly, Roberts stressed the need for integrated man- agement of the Humber by an author- ity with responsibility on both banks of the estuary.

The next three papers highlighted a number of specific management issues. John North discussed the sig-

and interests. Although the strength highlighted changing approaches to and diversity of statutory and volun- pollution control in the UK, particu- tary conservation activity around the larly the influence of European leg- Humber was noted, it was stressed islation and the implications of inte- that there was no room for complacen- grated pollution control involving a cy in efforts to protect such a critical new environmental agency and the habitat. implementation of the BATNEEC

mincinle. Edwards also mentioned the nificance of the estuary in the regional economy as well as emphasizing re-

Views of interest groups

cent initiatives such as the latest eco- nomic development strategy for Hum- berside, designed to take full advan- tage of the estuary and its proximity to Europe. North made it clear, how- ever, that development should not be at the expense of environmental pro- tection and indeed, maintenance of an attractive environment is necessary in order to attract investment.

Chemical biological monitoring of the Humber was discussed by Derek Sayers of the National Rivers Author- ity (NRA). Water quality manage- ment is guided by Environmental Quality Objectives which seek to pro- tect all existing uses of the estuary, to allow the estuary to support sea fisher- ies and to allow the passage of migra- tory fish at all stages of the tide. Sayers suggested that while there are some encouraging trends, including a reduction in metal input from indust- rial sources on the North Bank, low dissolved oxygen levels in the upper estuary remained a subject of concern. Ongoing improvements to sewage treatment plants discharging into the Ouse and Trent, however, will contri- bute to increased oxygen levels of freshwater entering the Humber.

Integrative approach

The majority of the afternoon session was devoted to presentations by va- rious interest groups concerned with management of the estuary. Although his discussion was not specifically fo- cused on the Humber, Bob Earl1 of the Marine Conservation Society pro- vided a convincing account of the need to progress from the traditional sector- al approach towards comprehensive management of the coastal zone. It was also noted that estuary manage- ment should be guided by principles involving environmental sustainabil- ity, the precautionary approach and clean production. The County Council will have taken heart from Earll’s con- clusion that accountable local author- ities should take the lead in coastal management.

The next two speakers had a more

local focus. Alan Bowden discussed the BP Chemicals operation on the North Bank and noted that BP was attempting to put the principle of clean production into practice. Above all, Bowden suggested that the estuary was vital to the local economy and therefore needed proper planning. Views of Anglian Water which serves the south bank were provided by Bob Price. It was encouraging to see that environmental protection is an integ- ral part of this company’s policy and

. * need for improvement of flood de- fences on the estuary.

Initial step

Fundamental questions involving the future of the estuary were posed by John Parkes. These included whether it was possible to enforce all environmental legislation and, more relistically, whether governments could afford not to. The matter of whether a wider discussion forum than the current NRA Humber Estuary Management Committee was needed to advise on management was also aired. This was followed up in the short time for discussion at the end and general consensus emerged that a wider forum would be beneficial. This idea received enthusiastic backing from County Councillors on the dis- cussion panel and is something which will need to be following up on quickly if the new forum is to play an active role in estuarine management. The County Council and NRA are to be congratulated on organizing a meeting on such an important topic. The con- ference, however, was only an initial step towards the establishment and implementation of an estuary manage- ment plan.

David Nowell Department of Geography and

Geoff Lunn framed his discussion of that significant investment was being Centre for’Coasta/Zone M&&$ment the nature conservation importance of made in improved sewage treatment University of Portsmouth the Humber in terms of English Na- plants. Price concentrated on the f47 Portsmouth, UK ture’s Campaign For A Living Coast. million scheme for full sewage treat- One of the objectives of this initiative ment at Cleethorpes, a town which is to reverse losses of estuarine habitat relies heavily on the tourist trade and resulting from disruption of natural which, therefore, is dependent on an sedimentary processes and from the attractive and clean environment.

‘House of Commons Environment Com-

process of coastal squeeze whereby mittee, Coastal Zone Protection and Plan-

coastal features are caught between ning, HMSO, London, 1992.

sea defences and rising sea levels.” A new forum? ‘Department of the Environmental, Coas-

tal Zone Protection and Plannina. HMSO. I Like most other speakers, Lunn stres- Concluding comments were made by London, 1992.

sed the need for an integrative the chief executive of the County 3English Nature, Coastal Zone Conserva-

approach to estuary management, in- Council and another representative of tion: English Nafure’s Rationale, Objec- tives and Practical Recommendations, En-

volving collaboration between users the NRA. Tony Edwards of the NRA glish Nature, Peterborough, 1992.

138 MARINE POLICY March 1993