Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Marine Nature Recovery Framework
We’re pleased to announce the launch of the public consultation for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine Nature Recovery Framework (MNRF).
The MNRF sets out a shared vision for restoring and protecting our marine and coastal environments. It identifies priority habitats and species, maps opportunities for nature recovery, and outlines actions to support sustainable marine management across the region. The MNRF complements the statutory Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery Strategy and supports national goals such as the target to have 30% of land, rivers, and seas well managed for nature by 2030. The consultation opens on Thursday 28th August 2025 and closes at Midnight on Friday 10th October 2025
Your views are vital to shaping the final Framework. Whether you're involved in marine conservation, fisheries, tourism, planning, education, or simply passionate about our coast and seas — we want to hear from you!
How to take part:
To take part in the consultation, simply fill out our online survey by clicking the button below. The consultation draft can be downloaded here.
If you would like to learn more about the Framework, you can sign up to attend our free webinar: CIOS Marine Nature Recovery Framework Public Consultation Online Webinar Tickets, Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Photo: Crawfish and wrasse by a rocky reef supporting a plethora of other invertebrate life (Matt Slater)
Our Coasts and Seas in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
The sea is at the core of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly identity, and foundational to our fishing industry and communities. Our marine waters and seabed are also an ecological hotspot. The coastline is dominated by rocky reefs, with exposed shores in the north and more sheltered shores in the south. It is dotted with estuaries hosting rich muddy habitats and stunning maerl beds – the Cornish equivalent of a coral reef. Below low water, the open coast meets grey seal populated sea caves, saline lagoons and seagrass beds. This covers a mix of muddy, rocky and sandy habitats continuing below the mean low water mark – including artificial habitats on historic wrecks. From seaweeds to seabirds, these areas host diverse and important wildlife. Nearshore habitats cover a mix of open seas, islands like St. Michael’s Mount with rare lower plants, and the seas host a rich mix of species – from large migratory fish and shellfish, to seafans, jellyfish, turtles, seahorses, basking sharks, molluscs and large mammals like dolphins.
Photo: Atlantic grey seals hauled out to rest (Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust)
Marine Nature Recovery and Why We Need it
Nature in Cornwall is not as healthy as it seems. Cornwall’s first State of Nature report highlights key trends for our species and habitats within a generation and finds that Cornwall mirrors the national picture regarding the health of our coasts and seas. It illustrates that our waters are in long term decline with pollution, bycatch and other fishing data, population trends, habitat loss, and animal strandings data all showing worrying trends. 
In addition, Cornwall’s Environmental Growth Strategy (EGS) reporting shows, 34% of Cornwall’s inshore (0 –12 nm) waters are within a designated MPA. Therefore, locally the government ambition to protect a third of seas by 2030 (the so called 30x30 target) has already been exceeded. However, in 2021 just 8% of the inshore seabed was under positive management, resulting in environmental growth.
What is the Marine Nature Recovery Framework
To help nature at sea to recover, Cornwall Council are working to develop an evidence-based, voluntary Marine Nature Recovery Framework (MNRF) with support from Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership (CIOSLNP) and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine and Coastal Partnership (CIOSMCP), building on all the feedback from local people about the importance of our marine and coastal wildlife.
This new Framework will align with and compliment the statutory terrestrial Local Nature Recovery Strategy which is due for consultation this autumn, enabling us to take an integrated approach around the coastal boundaries of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It will also act as an overarching strategy for marine nature recovery projects, enabling coordinated delivery and knowledge sharing whilst identifying additional opportunities for investing in our natural capital.
