Regulator profile

MMO

Marine Management Organisation

Enforcement Regulator England

What MMO does

Licenses marine activities in English waters, including construction, dredging, and deposits at sea. Issues marine licences for offshore renewable energy projects below MHWS.

Wales: NRW issues marine licences. Scotland: Marine Scotland.

FisheriesMarine Licensing

Contact MMO

Official guidance from MMO

Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.

GOV.UK: understand your fishing vessel licence (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Apply for a marine licence (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

East Inshore and East Offshore Marine Plans (2014) (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority Byelaws (various) (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Marine Policy Statement 2011 (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Marine Planning Glossary (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Apply to generate energy offshore (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

United Kingdom Single Issuing Authority (UKSIA) (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

View all 38 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)

Legislation that MMO directly enforces.

Primary legislation

Coast Protection Act 1949 Coast Protection Act 1949 Harbours Act 1964 Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 Environment Act 1995 Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 Fisheries Act 2020

Secondary legislation

The River Humber (Upper Burcom Cooling Works) Order 1994 Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Control Measures) Order 2000 Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 The Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) Order 2009 The Deposits in the Sea (Exemptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2010 The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1, Consequential, Transitional and Savings Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2010 The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No.2 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No.3) Order 2010 The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Commencement No.4 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2010

… and 63 more statutory instruments.

Legislation connected to MMO’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.

Administered / monitored

The Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 UK Statutory Instrument

Sectors regulated

Marine and tidal

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