What is this report?

This report evaluates environmental and economic impacts of maritime activities. It ensures maritime activities comply with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This directive aims to protect the marine environment across Europe.

Legal basis: Maritime Area Planning Act 2021

What does the report include?

The AIMU report must contain an analysis of the likely effects of a proposed usage, both positive and negative.

Chapters of the AIMU Report must include, but not necessarily be limited to:

  • Introduction
  • Project description (including construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning)
  • Need and alternatives
  • Planning and development (including Statement of consistency with the National Marine Planning Framework)
  • Summary of mitigations

It should also include specific chapters on:

  • Land and soils
  • Water
  • Biodiversity
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Air quality
  • Noise vibration
  • Landscape or seascape
  • Traffic and transport (including navigation)
  • Cultural heritage (including underwater archaeology)
  • Population and human health
  • Major accidents and disasters
  • Climate
  • Waste
  • Material assets
  • Interactions

Consideration and reasoned conclusions should be detailed in relation to the:

  • EIA Directive (not of a class)
  • WFD Directive
  • MSFD Directive

The scale and complexity of the AIMU should reflect the scale and complexity of the project. Some of the above chapters might be not relevant to the proposed maritime usage. You should still include this chapter in the report, with a short paragraph stating why the chapter in not considered relevant in this instance.

Submitting your assessment

The results of this assessment should be included with your submission to the relevant planning authority.

Supporting information

Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) Technical guidance note