The extraction of aggregates, whether from land or marine sources, creates a number of issues that have to be recognised and managed.Not least amongst these is a need to communicate the industry’s position to stakeholders ranging from coastal communities to fishermen, and to be able to respond to issues and concerns raised.

The need to demonstrate consideration of sustainability is an aspect which overlies all others. This is an important means of demonstrating that the needs of future generations are incorporated into the sectors current and future plans. BMAPA has recently developed a sustainable development strategy for the marine aggregate sector as a means of measuring its performance against key indicators. The strategy document is available here.

In terms of environmental impacts, the industry recognises that its operations have the potential to affect marine life, archaeology and other sea users. Dredging is also sometimes wrongly perceived as a cause of coastal erosion. Other important issues of the moment include government plans for a Marine Bill, which are supported by BMAPA, and the use of aggregates levy funding to support beneficial research and other projects.