The Review was funded by English Nature, the Environment Agency and the RSPB. It was overseen by a Steering Group comprising: Association of Sea Fisheries Committees, British Ports Association, English Nature, Environment Agency, Local Government Association, RSPB, UK Major Ports Group, The Wildlife Trusts/WWF.
The Steering Group met twice immediately following completion of the contract and produced an initial response which accompanies this preface. This response is intended to serve as a foreword to the Review report.