Tamar estuaries

The rivers Tamar, Tavy, Lynher, Plym and Plymouth Sound together constitute one of Britain's finest estuarine complexes

The rich and diverse wildlife, landscape and historic heritage are recognised through its national and international protected areas. Because of this natural environment, the area provides enormous recreational opportunities and much needed employment for thousands of people.

The challenge therefore, is to conserve our natural and historic heritage, whilst encouraging appropriate opportunities and giving full recognition to the important needs of commerce, tourism, defence and leisure interests.

The Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum (TECF) is the estuary management partnership that brings together stakeholders to promote the delivery of integrated management for the tamar estuaries and near by coastal areas in order to ensure long term sustainability.

This integrated management will be achieved through partnership action, integrating the different policies and actions that have an effect on the coast, and bringing together stakeholders to inform, support and implement these policies and actions in a coordinated and transparent way.

This site provides information on the tamar estuaries and the work of the forum to provide a sustainable management framework.