Resource information
The Act introduces a new system of marine management. The Act includes provision changing the system for licensing the carrying on of activities in the marine environment. It also provides for the designation of conservation zones. It changes the way marine fisheries are managed at a national and a local level and modifies the way licensing, conservation and fisheries rules are enforced. It allows for designation of an Exclusive Economic Zone for the UK, and for the creation of a Welsh Zone in the sea adjacent to Wales. The Act also amends the system for managing migratory and freshwater fish, and enables recreational access to the English and Welsh coast.The Act establishes the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) which is charged with marine functions on behalf of UK Government. The Act defines the UK marine area, used by subsequent Parts of the Act to describe areas where activities take place. It also allows an Exclusive Economic Zone to be designated (see paragraph 34) and creates the Welsh zone, the boundaries of which are to be set by an order made by the Secretary of State or an Order in Council made by Her Majesty. Functions relating to fisheries will be transferred to the Welsh Ministers in relation to the Welsh zone. Other provisions in the Act make provision for certain other functions to be conferred on the Welsh Ministers in relation to the Welsh zoneThe Act further, among other things, a new system of marine planning and a new system of marine licensing and provides, across most of UK waters, for the designation of new Marine Conservation Zones.
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 3345 (C. 153) of 2009). (2009-12-16)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 298 (C. 23) of 2010). (2010-02-08)
Implemented by: Marine Management Organisation (Prescription of Powers to Fix Fees and Charges) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 603 of 2010). (2010-03-01)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1, Consequential, Transitional and Savings Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 630 (C. 42) of 2010). (2010-03-08)
Implemented by: North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries District (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 631 of 2010). (2010-03-08)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Order 2010 (W.S.I. No. 1410 (W.125) of 2010). (2010-05-11)
Implemented by: Coastal Access Reports (Consideration and Modification Procedure) (England) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 1976 of 2010). (2010-08-08)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No.4 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2195 (C. 110) of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2188 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2189 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order (S.I. No. 2190 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order (S.I. No. 2193 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order (S.I. No. 2197 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2198 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2199 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2200 of 2010). (2010-08-31)
Implemented by: Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2212 of 2010). (2010-09-03)
Implemented by: Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Order 2010 (S.I. No. 2213 of 2010). (2010-09-03)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2010 (W.S.I. No. Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) (No. 2) Order (W.S.I. No. 2916 (W.241) of 2010). (2010-12-07)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2011(S.I. No. 603 of 2011). (2011-03-02)
Implemented by: Cockles and Mussels (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2011 (W.S.I. No. 1988 (W.219) of 2011). (2011-08-10)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Transitional Provisions) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 698 of 2012). (2012-03-03)
Implemented by: Whitsand and Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 27 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Upper Fowey and Pont Pill Marine Conservation Zones Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 26 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Torbay Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 25 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Thanet Coast Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 24 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Swallow Sand Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 22 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: South-West Deeps (West) Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 21 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Skerries Bank and Surrounds Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 19 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Tamar Estuary Marine Conservation Zones Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 23 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: South Dorset Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 20 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Poole Rocks Marine Conservation Zone Designation Order 2013 (S.I. No. 18 of 2013). (2013-11-21)
Implemented by: Public Bodies (Marine Management Organisation) (Fees) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 2555 of 2014). (2014-09-14)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement and Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Order 2014 (S.I. No. No. 3088 (W. 309) (C. 131) of 2014). (2014-11-18)
Implemented by: Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 10 of 2015). (2015-01-07)
Implemented by: Exclusive Economic Zone Order 2013 (S.I. No. 3161 of 2013). (2013-12-11)
Implemented by: Fishery Limits (Revocation) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 3163 of 2013). (2013-12-11)
Implemented by: Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution) (Limits) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 3306 of 2014). (2014-12-11)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Notices Appeals) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 936 of 2011). (2011-03-23)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Licence Application Appeals) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 934 of 2011). (2011-03-22)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Appeals Against Licensing Decisions) (Wales) Regulations 2011 (W.S.I. No. 925 (W.134) of 2011). (2011-03-22)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Notices Appeals) (Wales) Regulations 2011 (W.S.I. No. 923 (W.132) of 2011). (2011-03-22)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Delegation of Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 627 of 2011). (2011-03-02)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Register of Licensing Information) (Wales) Regulations 2011 (W.S.I. No. 557 (W.79) of 2011). (2011-02-25)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Register of Licensing Information) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 424 of 2011). (2011-02-09)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 409 of 2011). (2011-02-09)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. No. 80 of 2011). (2011-03-22)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Register of Licensing Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. No. 79 of 2011). (2011-03-16)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Civil Sanctions) (Wales) Order 2011 (W.S.I. No. 924 (W.133) of 2011). (2011-03-22)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Civil Sanctions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. No. 81 of 2011). (2011-03-22)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Delegation of Functions) (Wales) Order 2013 (W.S.I. No. No. 414 (W.50) of 2013). (2013-02-26)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2017 (W.S.I. No. 557 (W.79) of 2017). (2017-03-06)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Delegation of Functions) (Wales) Order 2017 (W.S.I. No. 962 (W. 245) of 2017). (2017-09-27)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Application Fees) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 615 of 2014). (2014-03-13)
Implemented by: Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 491 of 2010). (2010-03-01)
Implemented by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No.5, Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 556 (C. 19) of 2011). (2011-02-28)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (S.S.I. No. 78 of 2011). (2011-02-10)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Register of Licensing Information) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (S.S.I. No. 80 of 2011). (2011-02-10)
Implemented by: Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 490 of 2010). (2010-03-01)
Implemented by: Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 1012 of 2017). (2017-10-30)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) (Wales) Order 2011 (W.S.I. No. 559 (W.81) of 2011). (2011-02-25)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. No. 78 of 2011). (2011-03-16)
Implemented by: Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) (Scottish Inshore Region) Order 2011 (S.S.I. No. 204 of 2011). (2011-03-10)
Amended by: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 405 of 2011). (2011-02-09)
Amended by: Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 374 of 2015). (2015-02-25)
Amended by: Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (S.I. 1013 of 2017). (2017-10-30)
Amended by: Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (2011 Cap. 25). (2011-05-04)
Amended by: Waste (Meaning of Recovery) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 738 of 2016). (2016-07-11)
Amended by: Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (2016 anaw 3). (2016-03-21)
Amended by: Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (2015 anaw 4). (2015-07-06)
Amends: Coast Protection Act, 1949 (Cap. 74). (1949-11-24)
Amends: Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Chapter 43). (1990-11-01)
Amends: Planning Act 2008 (Cap. 29). (2008-11-26)
Amends: Fishery Limits Act 1976. (1976-12-22)
Amends: Territorial Sea Act 1987 (Chapter 49). (1987-05-15)
Amends: Water Act 1989 (Chapter 15). (1989-07-06)
Amends: Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act, 1967. (1967-10-27)
Amends: Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (Chapter 84). (1967-10-27)
Amends: Fisheries Act 1981 (Chapter 29). (1981-07-02)
Amends: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Chapter 69). (1981-10-30)
Amends: Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991 (c. 60). (1991-07-25)
Amends: Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992. (1992-03-16)
Amends: Environment Act 1995 (Chapter 25). (1995-07-19)
Amends: Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (2006 Chapter 16). (2006-03-30)
