The Industry

Over 21 million tonnes of marine sand and gravel is extracted from some 70 licensed areas which together cover less than 1 per cent of the UK’s seabed (see maps). Between them, they contribute around 17 per cent of the sand and gravel used in England and Wales. They also make a healthy contribution to the nation’s balance of payments through exports to the near continent.

The Crown Estate owns the mineral rights to the seabed around the UK. It issues licences for mineral extraction and receives royalties which result in a flow of funds to the Exchequer. Permission to extract marine aggregates rests with the Government and is the subject of a rigorous application process which produces what is known as a Government View. Permissions are given only after intense studies by experts.

Regulation and monitoring are tight once a licence has been granted. Every dredger is equipped with electronic monitoring systems which feed direct to the Crown Estate and record exactly when and where dredging takes place. The dredgers are equipped with satellite navigation systems which enable them to be positioned to within a few metres, so ensuring that areas dredged comply with licences.

The companies of the ECA are all members of the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA), which represents the wider industry in its interaction with government, local authorities and communities. BMAPA has recently produced a sustainable development report which is available from its website.