Larger ports routinely deploy environmental management tools but systematic sustainability management
in smaller ports is rare. Accordingly, this paper assesses the sustainability needs of smaller ports in
Cornwall and Devon, a case-study, and proposes a systematic method for identifying and managing
them. The development and deployment of a Port Sustainability Management System for smaller ports
in an environmentally sensitive but economically peripheral UK area is discussed. In-depth collaboration
with Harbour Masters to identify sustainability management practice revealed few applications of the
theoretical elements of triple bottom line accounting. Rather, semi-structured interviews unearthed the
essential elements of port management and facilitated mapping of the forces which underpin port
sustainability practices. A constructivist grounded theory approach identified emerging concepts,
common patterns and sustainability themes, which were synthesised into a Sustainability Management
System based on 11 indicators of knowledge criteria and a self-scoring mechanism. Adopters reported a
more proactive stance towards sustainability and safeguarding of local communities, improved understanding,
and more effective discourse with stakeholders. Benefits spanned port improvements;
awareness of progress, performance, strengths and weaknesses; enhanced communication and reporting;
and improved thought processes. Almost all reacted positively and identified multiple benefits,
equating to two new jobs in each port.