DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (29/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 12 February 2009
Tyneside will be
the home of the headquarters of a new body to regulate and manage
the sea around England.
Marine and Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said Tyneside is
ideally placed to host the groundbreaking new Marine Management
Organisation (MMO).
The MMO, part of the government's pioneering Marine and
Coastal Access Bill, will be a centre of expertise that will
contribute to sustainable development, streamline regulation and
improve enforcement.
Tyneside's bid won strong backing across the North East, and
Ministers decided the area had the right mix of environmental,
business and academic marine interests.
The MMO's responsibilities will include:
* a new marine
planning system
* a new integrated marine licensing
system
* enforcement of sea fisheries, nature conservation and
licensing using powers under the Marine and Coastal Access Bill
Huw Irranca-Davies said:
"Tyneside was chosen for several reasons, not least because
of its broad range and good balance of marine interests. It has a
working port, a busy local fishing industry, and businesses
including offshore renewable energy development, all of which fit
well with the MMO's role.
"The new organisation's location is integral to its
ability to be highly respected by everyone who uses and values our
seas, and in Tyneside the MMO will be close to people and
organisations who care passionately about marine protection and
how we use our seas.
"All of the shortlisted locations made professional,
well-presented bids and I thank everyone involved for their
efforts and enthusiasm."
The MMO will be a Non-Departmental Public Body, replacing the
Marine and Fisheries Agency and will take on the new marine
planning function and some responsibilities from other government
departments and agencies, bringing together marine functions in
one independent body for the first time.
The MMO applies to the waters around England and also UK offshore
waters for non-devolved and reserved matters. Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland will have separate arrangements.
For more information go to
http://defraweb/marine/legislation/index.htm and http://www.mfa.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1. The Marine and Fisheries Agency currently
has around 200 staff in its HQ and 18 coastal offices. The new HQ
will create more than 40 new posts. It is not yet known how many
existing MFA HQ staff will relocate to the new location.
Arrangements are being put in place to ensure effective services
continue to be provided to MFA customers in the transition to the
new MMO and beyond.
2. A Chair and Board for the new organisation will be recruited
in 2009.
3. The MMO is expected to be vested on 1 April 2010 depending on
Parliamentary timescales for the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
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