King’s Lynn Advisory Group

The Marine Partnership supports three geographically distinct Advisory Groups. At Advisory Group meetings, Relevant Authority representatives, local people, sea-users, businesses and conservation groups share knowledge and experience to support the conservation and sustainable use of the Marine Protected Area network, and work to ensure management measures are appropriate and locally supported.

The King’s Lynn Advisory Group (KLAG) can be viewed as the successor to The Wash Estuary Strategy Management team and The Wash National Nature Reserve Consultation Board. It provides a discussion forum for its members who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise about that stretch of coastline falling between Hunstanton and Sutton Bridge. This coastline is quite diverse; travelling  from Hunstanton , a very popular seaside town with sandy beaches through  saltmarsh and on to King’s Lynn,  a busy important port since historical times. On then, through more saltmarsh until reaching Sutton Bridge another port. The area contains the largest Natural Nature Reserve in England and is viewed by many as a wilderness area.

Shellduck on The Wash. Chris Knights

As can be realised there is much to debate by the group’s members who represent  among others, EIFCA, The Port Authority, Natural England, wildfowlers, Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB – all fulfilling a watchdog role for this most valuable part of The Wash.

The KLAG will play an important part in meeting the challenging task of balancing the push for increased tourism, more people moving into the area and developments such as wind farm expansion, against the culture of The Wash and its natural history.

Peter Welberry Smith –  King’s Lynn  Advisory Group Chairman

Agendas, Summaries and Minutes