This paper discusses the application of environmental assessment (EA) to ac
tivities and developments in the British marine sector, with particular reg
ard to their project characteristics,geography and identified issues. The f
irst section details the legislative framework of EA regulations in Britain
with specific reference to marine projects. The categories of marine proje
cts covered by the regulations are discussed along with a description of th
e types, numbers and locations of EAs undertaken between July 1988 and the
end of 1995. The second part of the paper goes onto highlight the principal
issues and perceived benefits of applying EA to marine projects. Although
there is a significant increase in the amount of EA research and practice o
ccurring around the world, especially in Canada, the Netherlands and Austra
lia, this paper only examines the application of EA within the geographical
boundaries of Great Britain. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res
erved.