130/10 The
Government has today proposed a new way of managing our seas.
Three documents have been published today that will set out the
policy objectives for UK governments in managing the UK seas,
introducing marine planning and streamlining licensing. All three
help to fulfill the coalition government’s commitment to deliver
the Marine and Coastal Access Act.
The new planning and licensing systems will help the management
of marine activities, such as providing energy, which contribute
around £47 billion to the UK economy; ensure on-going
environmental protection of our seas; and give coastal communities
a voice in the future uses of their marine environment.
Marine Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, said
“Our seas are some of the most diverse in the world, providing us
with food, energy and a home to over 8000 species. These new ways
of managing our seas will help protect the marine environment,
while allowing us to make the best use of the resources it offers,
like renewable energy. It will also enable businesses that rely on
the seas, such as leisure and tourism, to grow.”
“The new systems for marine planning and marine licensing are a
real opportunity to improve the way we manage our seas. They will
create the framework for consistent marine planning and decision
making, and will contribute to the sustainable development of the
UK marine area.”
The draft UK Marine Policy Statement is the first step in this
new marine planning system. The policy statement sets the
direction for the use of our seas and shapes marine plans and
licensing decisions. It has been developed jointly with the
Devolved Administrations. The document sets out specific policy
objectives the UK Government and Devolved Administrations are
seeking to achieve in the UK marine area to achieve the vision of
clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas and oceans.
The marine planning system consultation describes how the marine
planning system in England will be implemented. It will be led by
the recently created Marine Management Organisation (MMO) with
other interested organisations. Marine planning will define the
future uses of our seas in any given area, with the full
engagement of all those interested in the marine environment, from
local communities to businesses. These changes will remove
barriers to growth and will enable the best use of the seas’
considerable resources. The MMO aims to develop a comprehensive
marine planning capability that will deliver a world-leading,
integrated approach to marine management.
The consultation on marine licensing is designed to create a more
effective, streamlined and transparent system, which would start
in April 2011. Together with marine planning, the new licensing
system will provide a clearer, more straightforward way for
developers to take forward their marine projects in a sustainable
way while protecting the environment, human health and other users
of the sea.
Notes to editors
The Marine Policy Statement can be found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-policy/index.htm
The Marine Planning System consultation can be found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-planning/index.htm
A new Marine Licensing System consultation can be found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-licensing-system/index.htm
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the strategic body
responsible for managing the seas in England, was created under
the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Further information on the
MMO can be found at www.marinemanagement.org.ukThe outcome of
these consultations will help to address the issues highlighted in
Charting Progress 2, a comprehensive study on the state of the UK
seas also published today. The full report can be found at
chartingprogress.defra.gov.uk
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Martin Deller
Phone: 020 7238 5334
martin.deller@defra.gsi.gov.uk