This mindmap is based on chapter 2.4 of the 1992 management plan.  The chapter, entitled 'Operational Objectives and Management Options' describes the stategic framework for the management of the reserve, it is arguably the most important section of the Plan and is the most detailed.

The chapter occupies 57 pages of the printed plan, of which 33 pages deal with the physical and biological features under protection.  The remainder of the chapter deals with the management of the legal obligations etc, the provision of facilities, and the responses to emergencies.  These have been listed but not described. .

Introduction

Skomer is an internationally important seabird reserve supporting a large percentage of the worlds population of the Manx Shearwater and the largest colonies of cliff nesting seabirds in southern Britain. It has an important geology, a nationally important lichen flora, a unique Bank Vole, a scarce cliff and maritime vegetation with an area of coastal heathland ( a habitat that is becoming increasingly scarce in lowland coastal Wales), a few rare plants, and an invertebrate list which includes some rare species. It is scenically spectacular along its coastline, particularly in the spring when there are many plants in flower. It is therefore a diverse reserve in that the range of features is large and they each have an important component, at the very least on a local scale.

This diversity, its accessibility and the presence of some unusual species (of birds particularly) attracts large numbers of naturalists and other members of the public.

The management objectives, simply put, are to protect and monitor the breeding seabirds, the Skomer Vole, the seals and the other fauna and flora and to maintain and enhance the diversity of the habitats within the reserve. Secondary objectives are to provide an interpretative and educational facility to the public and to encourage conservation based research. Within this broad framework there  lies a considerable complexity of detail which is best introduced here as detailed objectives.

Section 2.4.2 which follows provides the prescriptive and practical management outline derived from this section.