National Marine Character Areas (NMCA)

Seascapes, like landscapes, reflect the relationship between people and place and the part it plays in forming the setting to our everyday lives. Marine Character Areas highlight the key natural, cultural and perceptual influences that make the character of each seascape distinct and unique. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) were commissioned on behalf of Welsh Government to identify the character of Wales’ seascapes at a broad-scale. We divided our inshore waters into 29 Marine Character Areas. This work provides the strategic spatial evidence on seascapes to inform the Wales National Marine Plan, which is being prepared by Welsh Government. Each area profile includes a description of the key characteristics, including their natural, cultural and perceptual influences, as well as land - sea inter-visibility maps.