- Enforced by
- Environment Agency, The Crown Estate, MMO, Natural England, NRW
- Status
- Amended (in force with amendments)
- Penalty ceiling
- Imprisonment 10 of 94 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 10 carry different penalties and 74 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Does it bind you?
Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.
Plus 60 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.
Other Acts binding the same actors
If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.
Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts
Landlord — also bound by 224 other Acts
Applicant — also bound by 307 other Acts
What it requires
Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.
The Marine Management Organisation
2 of 40 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must publish marine and coastal agreementsCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must publicise directions given to the MMOCrown / Minister / Government department
38 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Exclusive economic zone,
0 of 3 sections shown3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Marine planning
8 of 21 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must prepare and invite participation for Marine Policy StatementsCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government authorities must notify others and the public when withdrawing a statementCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authority must notify the public if a marine plan is withdrawnStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authorities must monitor environmental and economic changesStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authorities may delegate planning functions to other public bodiesCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must publish delegation directions and follow set conditionsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Authorities must consult public bodies and publish directions for marine plansCrown / Minister / Government department
- Challenge marine policy statements or plans in courtAny Person
13 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Marine licensing
25 of 59 sections shown- Obtain a marine licence before starting regulated activitiesAny Person
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authority must determine marine licence applicationsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authorities must decide on marine licence applications and conditionsStatutory regulator
- Provide false or misleading information for a licenceAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Fail to comply with compliance or remediation noticeAny Person
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authorities may delegate marine licensing and enforcement powersStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authorities must publish directions given to delegated personsLocal authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authorities must maintain a public register of marine licencesLocal authority
- Fail to comply with a stop noticeAny Person
2 years imprisonment · amended 2 times (opens in a new tab)
- Fail to comply with an emergency safety noticeAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 2 times (opens in a new tab)
amended 1 time
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh Ministers must set marine licensing fees based on cost recoveryCrown / Minister / Government department
amended 1 time
amended 1 time
34 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Nature conservation
47 of 47 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must consult before designating Marine Conservation ZonesCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Authorities must publish and provide copies of MCZ designation ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Designate Marine Conservation Zones to create a coherent networkCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must report on Marine Conservation Zone progress and restrictionsCrown / Minister / Government department
amended 2 times
amended 2 times
amended 2 times
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MMO must consult and notify before making marine byelawsStatutory regulator
amended 1 time
amended 1 time
amended 1 time
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh Ministers must consult and notify regarding marine conservation ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh Ministers must provide copies of marine conservation ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
amended 3 times
amended 3 times
amended 3 times
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scottish Ministers must provide copies of marine conservation ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
amended 3 times
amended 3 times
amended 3 times
amended 3 times
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government department must distribute and publish marine conservation ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
amended 3 times
- Contravene marine byelaws or ordersAny Person
- Fail to comply with marine by‑law or orderAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 6 times (opens in a new tab)
- Damage protected features of a Marine Conservation ZoneAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 2 times (opens in a new tab)
Management of inshore fisheries
41 of 45 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- IFCA must protect Marine Conservation Zones in their districtStatutory regulator
- Fail to comply with a marine inquiryAny Person
Fine up to £200 · amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)
- Breach a marine byelawAny Person
- Breach of inshore fisheries or conservation byelawsAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 2 times (opens in a new tab)
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- IFC authorities must co-operate with neighboring districts and marine regulatorsLocal authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- IFC authorities must maintain proper financial accounts and recordsLocal authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- IFC authorities must publish and submit an annual planLocal authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report on Inshore Fisheries and Conservation AuthoritiesCrown / Minister / Government department
- Breach of Welsh fisheries orderAny Person
- Use a vessel in breach of a marine orderAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)
4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Fisheries
41 of 41 sections shown- Contravene order on nets and fishing gear (shore fishing)Any Person
- Use nets or gear contrary to an order under the Marine and Coastal Access ActAny Person
- Breach fishing restriction orderAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)
- Assault a British sea-fishery officerAny Person
Fine up to £50,000 · amended 2 times (opens in a new tab)
- Consent, connive, or neglect to a sea fish conservation offenceDirector or Officer
- Director or partner liability for marine offenceDirector or Officer
- Use a vessel to commit a shellfish fishery offenceAny Person
- Use fishing vessel to commit a shellfish offenceAny Person
Fine up to £50,000 · amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)
- Maintain a register of shellfish fishery licencesAny Person
- Fish without authorisation or breach conditionsAny Person
- Fish without a valid authorisation (unauthorised fishing)Any Person
Unlimited fine · amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)
- Breach a marine byelaw (paragraph 4 or 6)Any Person
Fine up to £50,000 · amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)
- Breach of fish keeping, introduction or removal regulationsAny Person
- Keep, introduce or remove fish without a permitAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 7 times (opens in a new tab)
Enforcement
62 of 62 sections shownamended 1 time
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement officers must provide inspection reports for objects at seaStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must notify owners before disposing of seized objectsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement officers must provide notice and reports following property seizureStatutory regulator
- Agree a bond to secure the release of seized fishing gear or fishLandlord
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authorities must follow specific procedures when selling seized fishStatutory regulator
- Provide a bond to secure the release of a detained vesselLandlord
- Fail to comply with an enforcement officer’s requirement or directionAny Person
Unlimited fine · amended 5 times (opens in a new tab)
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government and Crown employees must comply with coastal access lawsCrown / Minister / Government department
Coastal access
1 of 15 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Natural England and the Secretary of State must balance public and private interestsStatutory regulator
14 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Miscellaneous
5 of 5 sections shownSupplementary provisions
4 of 10 sections shown- Cause corporate offence through consent, connivance or neglectDirector or Officer
6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Schedules
27 of 267 shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government authorities must follow specific steps when creating Marine Policy StatementsCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MMO must appoint a Chief Executive approved by the Secretary of StateStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MMO must appoint a chief scientific adviserStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MMO must keep a record of any function authorisationsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MMO must prepare and send annual report to Secretary of StateCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MMO must keep proper accounts and prepare annual statementsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MMO must provide requested accounts, returns or information and allow inspectionStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Policy authorities must follow schedule requirements before publishing documentsCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Policy authorities must follow legislative scrutiny process before adopting final textCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authorities must prepare and publish a Statement of Public Participation (SPP)Statutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authorities must keep the SPP under review and revise if necessaryStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authorities must prepare and publish a consultation draft of the relevant documentStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authority must involve the public and coordinate with other bodiesCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authority must notify Secretary of State of plan proposals and keep informed of changesStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authorities must ensure plans are compatible with related plansStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authority must prepare and publish a Statement of Public Participation before preparing a marine planStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Marine plan authority must keep statement of public participation under review and revise as neededCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement authorities must publish guidance on how marine offences are enforcedStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authority must consult before making marine ordersStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scottish Ministers must not licence certain electronic comms operations without compensationCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authority must transfer FEPA register information to new registerStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Appropriate authority must consult before making section 142 ordersCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement authorities must prepare and publish guidance on fixed monetary penalty enforcementStatutory regulator
- Legally challenge the seizure and intended forfeiture of your propertyAny Person
- Make oath that seized property is yours and provide security for costs if orderedApplicant
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authority must give notice of intended forfeiture to owners and interested partiesStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must notify and obtain consent before making harbour orders that modify certain statutory provisionsCrown / Minister / Government department
240 other schedules
1 other provision
Help complying
Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.
9 more guides that reference this instrument
Connected legislation
Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.
Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.