News story

MMO Statement: 24 February 2021

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is investigating actions by Greenpeace after its vessel MV Esperanza appeared to drop a number of boulders on to the seabed in the United Kingdom’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ.)

From:
Marine Management Organisation
Published
24 February 2021
Last updated
1 March 2021 — See all updates

  • The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is investigating actions by Greenpeace after its vessel MV Esperanza appeared to drop a number of boulders on to the seabed in the United Kingdom’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

  • As the regulator for England’s seas, MMO places very high priority on the environmental protection of our seas and the safety of those using them.

  • To assist the safe conduct of vessels in this area off the south coast, we are advising of the approximate positions of the boulders as listed below.

  • The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MACAA) includes a requirement that the deposit of any object in the UK’s EEZ from a vessel must have a marine licence from MMO before any deposits take place.

  • MMO expects organisations with environmental protection aims to act within the rules designed to protect our marine environment, and to work with MMO and other stakeholders to ensure the environmental protections that the MACAA puts in place are followed.

  • MMO continues to monitor all activity within English waters. Any unlawful action will be handled in line with our published compliance and enforcement strategy.

  • To assist vessels’ safe navigation, MMO understands that there are 18 boulders in the following locations, based on communication from Greenpeace.

The coordinates of each boulder are:

Lat N Long W
50° 15.33’N 0° 31.77’W
50° 15.89’N 0° 27.85’W
50° 16.58’N 0° 23.26’W
50° 17.33’N 0° 18.39’W
50° 13.96’N 0° 32.33’W
50° 14.33’N 0° 29.68’W
50° 14.75’N 0° 27.08’W
50° 15.61’N 0° 21.20’W
50° 16.06’N 0° 18.12’W
50° 13.00’N 0° 30.85’W
50° 13.47’N 0° 27.56’W
50° 14.00’N 0° 23.80’W
50° 14.45’N 0° 20.66’W
50° 14.85’N 0° 17.83’W
50° 11.68’N 0° 32.35’W
50° 12.30’N 0° 27.88’W
50° 13.00’N 0° 22.86’W
50° 13.71’N 0° 17.68’W

For more information contact MMO: media@marinemanagement.org.uk

Published 24 February 2021
Last updated 1 March 2021 + show all updates

  1. List of boulders updated to reflect location stated in Greenpeace communications

  2. Updated to include revised understanding on location of boulders, based on additional information.

  3. First published.