The Severn Estuary has been designated as a European marine site. This means that the relevant authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that they carry out their functions to comply with the Habitats Regulations. Due to the large size and complexity of the Severn Estuary European marine site, the relevant authorities recognised that a co-ordinated inter-agency approach would be the most practical and economic method of producing a management scheme. In line with Government guidance, the relevant authorities on the Severn formed the Association of Severn Estuary Relevant Authorities (ASERA) to produce a scheme for the management of the site.

In September 2004 ASERA launched the management scheme (available online) for the Severn Estuary European Marine Site. All ASERA member statutory organisations annually review their activities and the potential for them to impact on the designated birds and habitats of the estuary. They work collectively and with user groups to raise awareness of the nature conservation designations, and how users can help minimise their impact on the birds and habitats.

Click on hyperlink to view a list of who is involved in ASERA.