Marine non licensable activities: guidance, sites and evidence
Find guidance about marine non licensable activities, information for a named marine protected area, current opportunities to take part and published research and evidence.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
About marine non licensable activities
Marine non-licensable activities (mNLA) include activities such as anchoring, boating, sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing, diving and snorkelling.
Under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has responsibilities for supporting the conservation objectives of Marine Protected areas (MPAs).
MMO works alongside other pubic bodies to assess and manage the effects of marine non-licensable activities on MPAs within its jurisdiction up to 12 nautical miles from the English coast. This helps protect designated habitats and species and supports their recovery towards favourable condition where needed.
Find out more about how MMO assesses and manages marine activities in marine protected areas
Fishing is managed separately. Managing fishing in marine protected areas
Find a marine protected area
Use Natural England’s site search for detailed information about inshore MPAs, maps, protected features, conservation advice and condition information. JNCC Marine Protected Area Mapper displays MPA boundaries in all UK and Crown Dependency water.
Current opportunities to take part
MMO is seeking evidence about the impacts of marine recreational activities and anchoring on protected habitats and species in England’s marine protected areas. The evidence will help them inform MMO’s assessment of marine non licensable activities. The call for evidence closes on 25 November 2026
Read the call for evidence and respond
Protected habitats and species
Marine protected areas can protect habitats, species or other features. Information about a protected feature can help explain why particular activities are being reviewed or managed.