A community-driven initiative uniting local voices, experts, and businesses to restore, protect, and sustainably manage the Menai Strait’s freshwater and marine environments.
Key details
- Location: Menai Strait, Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
- Project Type: Community-led coastal management, restoration, and capacity building
- Partners: Menai Strait Fishery Order Management Association (MSFOMA), North Wales Rivers Trust, LNP Coastal Capacities team, local authorities, businesses, and community groups
Aims
- Develop a transparent, collaborative platform for environmental action
- Create a “People’s Plan” shaped by local needs and expertise
- Restore water quality, habitats, and fisheries
- Engage and empower the community in decision-making
Outputs and impact
- Community Engagement:
- 3,046 community members engaged
- 100% of Menai fisheries industry engaged
- 27 business partnerships
- 16 workshops, 1 forum, 1 coastal management plan
- Activities:
- Restoration projects and research
- Fisheries management improvements
- Ongoing scientific research, citizen science, and monitoring
- Community workshops, consultations, and events
- Sustainable business support and campaigns
- Diversity and inclusion resources
- Wildlife and habitat snorkel surveys, shoreline and coastal surveys
- Educational outreach to schools, youth groups, and care homes
- 24 Menai clean-ups, 68 water quality tests, 32 wildlife surveys,14 advisory panel members, 2 business schemes, 72 campaigns launched
Collaborative plan: five key projects
- Water Quality and Habitat Restoration: Restore the health of the Menai Strait by improving water quality and vital habitats.
- Pollution Reduction and Mitigation: Tackle pollution from sewage, agriculture, and plastics with effective mitigation.
- Sustainable Recreation and Tourism: Balance thriving recreation/tourism with environmental sustainability and community needs.
- Education and Advocacy: Raise awareness, engage communities, and promote sustainable practices.
- Forum Development and Governance: Strengthen governance for ongoing community involvement and collaboration.
Benefits
- Social: Inclusive, community-driven planning and action
- Environmental: Improved water quality, restored habitats, sustainable fisheries
- Economic: Support for local businesses, sustainable tourism, and aquaculture
- Partnership: Strong collaboration between experts, businesses, and residents
Quotes and Highlights
“From soup kitchens to yacht clubs, every voice counts in building a stronger community.”
“This plan represents a collaborative effort to protect and enhance the Menai Strait, ensuring a sustainable future for both the local communities and the environment.”
Media and further information
- Voice of the Menai: Community interviews and launch film
- Menai Strait Partnership Forum: YouTube launch film
