Radical new way of managing our seas published

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; 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 these new ways of managing the seas will help protect the marine environment, and 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.