MMO1335 - Process Evaluation of Marine Plan Use in Marine Management Organisation Decision-making Proce

The Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) (MCAA) introduced a marine planning system for the UK. Adoption of the North East, North West, South East and South West Marine Plans in June 2021 together with the East Marine Plans (adopted 2014) and South Marine Plans (adopted 2018) marked a milestone establishing a full suite of plans covering all English waters.

MCAA sets out the responsibility of various stakeholders in relation to marine plan use. For example, under S58 of MCAA any decision made by a public authority (including the MMO) which could affect the marine area, either in whole or any part, must either be in accordance with, or have regard to, the appropriate marine policy documents, including marine plans, unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise.

Developing and adopting technically sound marine plans and plan policies followed by successful use is crucial to delivering desired outcomes. As a marine regulator MMO has extensive decision-making responsibilities that fall under the requirements of MCAA (see MMO1155, Table 14). MMO wish therefore to secure an independent evaluation of how marine plans are used in MMO decision-making processes.