Concern is growing...as exploration moves closer to shore and into more sensitive areas.

Industrial coastline
Industry all too often seeks out remote coastal locations for the siting of power stations, telecommunications masts and oil refineries.

Such developments require road systems, and sometimes housing. Huge developments like the Channel Tunnel have had repercussions on landscape and habitat for many miles around.

Quarrying
Quarrying sand, shale and coal eats into the coastal landscape and can leave ugly scars. The dredging of sand and gravel on the seabed exacerbates coastal erosion.

Fish farms too are a form of industry. Their impact is chiefly a visual one, although there can also be pollution problems.

Offshore industry
Offshore, the disposal of industrial effluent and fertiliser contributes to environmental problems on the coast.

Britain's offshore oil and gas industry is a huge business providing two thirds of the country's total primary energy; but leading to increased land needs and having the potential to harm the environment.