24 November 2009

Publication of Consultation on marine plan areas for English Inshore and English Offshore Marine Regions

The Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) introduces a marine planning system in UK waters for the first time. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will have responsibility for preparing marine plans in the English inshore and offshore marine regions. Before the MMO can begin planning the Government needs to identify the appropriate boundaries to divide the regions into plan areas. This consultation invites your views on a series of proposed plan areas within the English Inshore and English Offshore areas, and for the considerations which we propose the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) take into account when deciding the order in which they develop marine plans for each area. The consultation document, accompanying Impact Assessment, and an Interactive pdf are available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-plan/index.htm All responses should be received by close on 16 February 2010