Poole Harbour is one of the outstanding natural features of Southern England. The Poole Harbour Commissioners have a duty to maintain, regulate and improve the harbour sustainably so that it can be passed on to future generations. The Port of Poole, operated by the commissioners, remains a central feature of the harbour's day to day activity as a successful medium sized port.

The commissioners continue to look at ways to develop and improve the facilities and services they provide for ferries, fast ferries, cargo vessels, cruise ships, private yachts and other harbour users in an environmentally sustainable way.

The commissioners have published a detailed annual environmental review since 1998 to show what they have done and intend to do to deliver their environmental management obligations. During 2007 the decision was been taken to publish two reports; an environmental summary in the statutory annual report. These can be downloaded from the reports and publications page