What is the Marine and Coastal Access Act?
The Marine and Coastal Access Act, which mainly affects England and Wales, introduces a new system for managing and protecting the marine environment.
The Act:
- establishes a marine planning system
- makes changes to how you apply for licences to carry out certain activities in the marine environment.
- makes changes to how fisheries are managed at both local and national levels
- makes changes to how fisheries regulations are enforced
- establishes a coastal footpath, allowing more general access to the coast
- allows the designation of marine conservation zones.
Who will the new legislation affect?
The Marine and Coastal Access Act affects any businesses with a connection to marine activities, in particular:
- fishermen
- aggregate dredgers
- renewable energy companies
- ports and harbour authorities
- leisure and tourism industries.
What are the main changes of the Marine and Coastal Access Act?
A Marine Management Organisation
A Marine Management Organisation (MMO) was launched in April 2010. The MMO is a non-departmental government body responsible for marine planning, marine licensing, UK fisheries, and managing marine protected areas.
Marine Management Organisation
The Welsh Assembly Government will be responsible for marine management in Wales.
Marine planning
Marine planning will become more integrated with marine management . Seabed mapping will be used to provide more information for managing offshore resources.
Marine licensing
The system of issuing licences for marine activities will be more efficient, consistent and more integrated . The application procedure will be simplified and businesses will be issued with a single licence. .
Marine nature conservation zones
A network of marine conservation zones will protect marine wildlife and habitats and support the healthy functioning of marine ecosystems.
Fisheries management
Fisheries will be managed more strongly to help commercial and recreational fisheries become more sustainable.
New Fisheries and Conservation Authorities in England will regulate inshore fishing operations. The Welsh Assembly Government will regulate inshore fishing operations in Wales.
Coastal access
The Act allows for a continuous coastal walking route around the English and Welsh coasts.
How will the Marine and Coastal Access Act be implemented?
The Marine and Coastal Access Act will come into force gradually over the next few months through detailed regulations and orders.
Some of the first parts to be implemented are marine planning, nature conservation zones, marine licensing and coastal access routes.
A consultation considering how to divide inshore and offshore regions into marine plan areas closed on 16 February 2010. See the Defra website for more information.
Defra: Consultation on marine plan areas within the English inshore and English offshore marine regions
The Marine Management Organisation was launched in April 2010. It will take over the Marine and Fisheries Agency.
A new system of marine licensing will be brought in by secondary legislation.
What’s happening in Scotland?
The Marine (Scotland) Bill is going through Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Government website provides more details on the bill.
Scottish Government: Marine Bill
Scottish Government: overview of Marine Bill as introduced to parliament
Further information
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
Defra: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
