Managing marine non-licensable activities in marine protected areas
How marine non-licensable activities are assessed and managed in marine protected areas (MPAs).
Documents
Details
Marine protected areas background
Our seas have a great variety of marine life and habitats, many of which are rare and of national importance. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean established to protect habitats, species and processes essential for healthy, functioning marine ecosystems. The purpose of an MPA is to protect and recover rare, threatened and important habitats and species from damage caused by human activities.
In the UK all MPAs are designated to protect specific habitats or species, also known as features, and have conservation objectives set which state what conservation outcomes the MPA is designed to achieve.
As part of the Environmental Improvement Plan Government has committed to ensuring that 48% of marine protected area (MPA) features are in favourable condition by 2028, and 70% by 2042, with the remaining in recovering condition.
There are 178 MPAs in English waters, covering 51% of inshore and 37% of offshore waters. To view all English MPAs visit our Explore Marine Plans tool.
Our dedicated pages provide further information:
Managing marine non-licensable activities
We have responsibilities, alongside other governmental bodies, for managing marine non-licensable activities (mNLA) to further the conservation objectives of marine protected areas within 0-12 nautical miles (nm) in English waters. This includes a requirement to introduce appropriate management measures if required. mNLA are those activities which do not require a marine licence (as defined by section 66 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009) and also excludes all types of fishing.
For information on how fishing activity is managed in MPAs, please see managing fisheries in marine protected areas.
mNLA are mostly recreational activities within 0-12nm which include, but are not limited to:
- non-motorised watercraft (e.g. kayaks, windsurfing, kite surfing, dinghies);
- powerboating or sailing with an engine – anchoring and mooring, launching and recovery, participation;
- sailing without an engine - anchoring and mooring, launching and recovery, participation; and
- diving and snorkelling
The foreshore is a complex area and is host to a wide variety of activities. To reflect this, there are a diverse range of authorities who each have a specific duty to help manage these activities. We do not propose adding further layers of management unnecessarily and as such consider the following activities outside of scope for MMO management due to existing regulatory presence:
- walking including dog walking
-
motorised and non-motorised land craft
- general beach recreation
- wildlife watching from the land
- coasteering and
- bait collection
Management measures for marine non-licensable activities
MMO will complete site assessments in consultation with stakeholders and Natural England to review the impact that mNLA (within 0-12nm) are having on MPAs.
If a site assessment concludes that mNLA are hindering the conservation objectives then we are responsible for considering management measures to avoid or mitigate these impacts.
Management measures may range from voluntary measures (for example, codes of practice) to statutory measures (for example, MMO byelaw). In all cases proportionate management measures will be developed through appropriate levels of engagement and consultation.
Phased assessment of marine non-licensable activities in marine protected areas
Given the large number and diversity of English inshore MPAs, it is necessary for MMO to take a phased approach to reviewing mNLA impacts.
Studland Bay
In 2020, the first mNLA site was selected in one of England’s busiest inshore marine protected areas, Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) in Dorset. Following a site assessment and stakeholder engagement a voluntary no-anchor zone (VNAZ) was introduced in December 2021. Find out more about our mNLA management approach in Studland Bay MCZ.
Prioritisation of sites
MMO evidence projects and engagement with Natural England senior advisors and regional leads have enabled us to prioritise MPAs for mNLA site assessment.
Condition Assessments for these sites produced by Natural England were reviewed. Where the assessment indicated that a mNLA is causing pressures leading to the reported unfavourable condition, these sites will be taken forward for further detailed assessment. For sites whose features are unassessed, for example if no condition assessment has yet been undertaken, MMO considers that there is insufficient evidence to determine impacts from mNLA.
MMO will continue to review the prioritisation of sites for assessment, where activity levels are reviewed, and condition assessments become available.
The result of this screening and prioritisation process was that six MPAs are identified to be taken forward for detailed site assessment, as follows:
View our map of the six priority sites.
Next steps
MMO has prioritised six MPAs for assessment, engagement, management and monitoring in relation to marine non-licensable activities.
Our aim is to have identified appropriate management and work collaboratively to have measures in place in 2025. Further MPAs will then be considered in subsequent phases.
To reduce the impact of marine non-licensable activities within an MPA, management measures which can be adopted include:
- Education and communication with the public and site users
- Voluntary measures - voluntary agreements on where and when certain activities can take place
- Introduction of byelaws in specific areas if needed
All MMO byelaws are subject to public consultation before being introduced. On rare occasions, if there is an urgent need to protect an MPA, a time-limited emergency MMO byelaw can be brought in.
MPAs are nationally important assets and we recognise that the successful management of sites requires strong local engagement and support. The ongoing and successful management of the Studland Bay MCZ demonstrates the value of local coastal partnerships in management of MPAs. The area’s voluntary no anchor zone (VNAZ) role in protecting the seagrass in the bay has been made possible by the involvement of the Studland Bay Marine Partnership who have utilised local and national resources to bring forward new initiatives, including the delivery of ecomoorings and marker buoys.
We are dedicated to working with partners to achieve the best outcomes for the marine environment and commend the positive work done by organisations, such as the Marine Conservation Society, to educate the public and enable those who enjoy recreational activities around the English coast to also help protect its special features.
We will continue to work together with key authorities to ensure MPA features are protected and to restore their valuable marine ecosystems. Through the management of marine non-licensable activities, MMO will be delivering its key services of protecting marine habitats and wildlife as set out in the MMO Corporate Plan 2022-25.
Last updated 1 June 2022 + show all updates
-
MPA update
-
Studland Bay update
-
Rationale Updated
-
Review and update of page content
-
First published.