Marine resources

Fishing

The coastal waters off Hampshire support a rich variety of fish and shellfish which are exploited by both commercial and hobby fishermen.

The sheltered waters provide nursery grounds for a wide range of species. There are four designated Bass nursery areas within the region, and the Solent has the largest self-sustaining stock of native oysters in Europe. It also has extensive beds of American hard-shelled clams.

Currently there are 110 commercial fishing vessels operating from ports along the Hampshire coast with the main locations being Portsmouth Harbour and Lymington. The value of landings is in excess of £3 million per year.

Marine Aggregates

There are eight wharves on the Hampshire coast, at which more than 1.6 million tonnes of sand and gravel and 0.2 million tonnes of crushed rock are landed each year. The wharves are at Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham, Langstone Harbour and Marchwood. Aggregate dredging generally takes place well off-shore, out of the Solent region.

The 1998 Minerals and Waste Local Plan provides guidance for regional aggregates within the county. The plan contains policies on the safeguarding sites for use for landing or unloading, handling and distribution of marine-dredged, sea-borne or rail-borne aggregates.

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