Safety, marine leisure, research and coast protection are among the main beneficiaries of the Estimates for marine and natural resources. A new £5.6 million programme has been earmarked to improve harbours, piers, slipways and moorings, with emphasis on marine tourism and leisure. The lack of access infrastructure was a "serious obstacle" to marine tourism and leisure, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, said in a comment on the provision.
Protection against coastal erosion, which was identified as a key priority in previous Estimates, has been given a £4.1 million increase. Funding for fisheries harbours has risen by 50 per cent on last year's abridged estimate to £11 million.