The European Marine Sand and Gravel Group (EMSAGG)
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Marine sand and gravel continue to make an important contribution to the development of European economies, with demand expanding for numerous end uses - particularly in construction and flood and coastal defence. To address this potential for increased demand around Europe, techniques for the investigation, development and management of new reserves require continuous improvement.

Planning to meet future demand, by ensuring long-term resources are available and responsibly managed, is an important factor towards achieving sustainable development at a European level. This will be aided by the intelligent application of research and development findings into industry, best practice and management.

Whilst the producers and suppliers of marine sand and gravel are normally adept at communicating with each other, there is often little opportunity for the wider interests (including clients, government, regulators, planners, economists and environmentalists) to engage in sharing of information and discussion of the issues – particularly at a European level. Improved communication and understanding on the issues will be of benefit to all involved in marine sand and gravel.

This was identified by a number of European professionals who, in 1998, established the European Marine Sand and Gravel Group (EMSAGG). EMSAGG enables information exchange across the sector by sharing the outputs of research and the experiences gained through licensing, execution and monitoring relating to the extraction and use of marine sand and gravel throughout Europe. Importantly, EMSAGG brings together industry with the wider interests of clients, government, regulators, planners, economists and environmentalists. This helps to improve communication and understanding of the issues between all parties to the mutual benefit of all involved in marine sand and gravel.

To facilitate improved knowledge, communication and understanding and to allow for engagement with wider interest groups, EMSAGG organises a number of activities. The objectives include:

•  To share information on, and experiences of, the research, licensing, execution and monitoring relating to the extraction and use of marine sand and gravel throughout Europe
  
• To promote this exchange throughout the relating public and private sectors and to enable a platform for interaction with other countries involved in the marine extraction and use of sand and gravel
  
• To identify developments and information needs for marine sand and gravel extraction, dealing with supply and demand, quality and quantities and applications
  
• To meet as a Group twice a year, in different member countries, to discuss developments and information needs and to identify specific EMSAGG initiatives
  
• To disseminate information to public and private sector marine sand and gravel stakeholders by producing informative bi-annual bulletins, available from the EMSAGG website, and by organising related conferences every three years and annual learning seminars
  
• To develop and provide an EMSAGG network of sponsoring group members and corresponding members, that enables the interaction of European stakeholders.

To find out more about EMSAGG, please visit www.ciria.org/emsagg or contact Kristina Gamst at emsagg@ciria.org or +44-(0)20-75493300.

Last modified: 01.03.2011