The UK government’s Department for Environment, Fisheries & Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched two new consultations, one covering changes to marine licence fees, exemptions and self-service provision; the other consultation seeks input on the third update of the UK Marine Strategy Part One, which outlines the UK Government and Devolved Administrations’ approach to achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) in UK marine waters.
1. Marine licences: changes to fees, exemptions and self-service licences
As part of this consultation, Defra is seeking views on proposed changes to:
- increase fees for the marine licence service provided by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
- change the list of activities that need a marine licence – to add 5 new exemptions, amend 4 exemptions and remove some existing exemptions
- add 2 new self-service licences
These changes aim to improve the marine licensing service’s efficiency and cost recovery, whilst supporting the government’s plans for growth and nature recovery.
The consultation applies to the English inshore and offshore region and the Northern Ireland offshore region regulated by the MMO.
Eco-mooring exemption
A notable proposal is for eco-moorings to be exempt from a marine licence in certain circumstances. To encourage the transition from the use of traditional moorings to eco moorings a proposed amendment would create a new exemption that exempts the requirement for a marine licence for the deposit of an eco-mooring (moorings which use a buoyant bungee-like cord or floating, flexible rode to minimize contact with the seafloor) where it replaces an existing traditional mooring and is within the same footprint.
This exemption will only be for like for like replacements in the same place and it does not authorise the installation of new moorings unless already exempt under Article 25 of the 2011 Order. Therefore, existing moorings already within an MPA can benefit from this exemption without further assessment of impacts.
Further changes to self-service activities or exemptions
The consultation state that the government is committed to accelerating economic growth and promoting nature’s recovery. Defra therefore would welcome suggestions from stakeholders on any further changes to self-service activities or exemptions to enable marine licensing to further support the government’s growth agenda and environmental priorities. Work would be needed to scope out and determine the full impacts of any suggestions.
This consultation closes on 15 August and details can be found online.
2. Marine Strategy Part One: UK Updated assessment and Good Environmental Status
This consultation seeks input on the third update of the UK Marine Strategy Part 1, which outlines the UK Government and Devolved Administrations’ approach to achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) in UK marine waters. The update provides an assessment of the state of UK seas since 2019 and sets revised objectives and targets for achieving GES for the next assessment cycle.
The consultation invites feedback on several key areas:
- progress towards GES and the updated assessment of UK marine waters;
- revised objectives and targets for the next strategy cycle;
- opportunities for stakeholders to contribute further information and insights.
The proposals apply to all marine waters under UK jurisdiction, including the territorial waters of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The consultation is open to a broad range of stakeholders, including marine users, businesses, environmental organisations, and the OSPAR Commission.
Responses will inform the future direction of the UK Marine Strategy.
This consultation also closes on 15 August and details can be found here.