The Marine and Coastal Access Bill received Royal Assent on 12 November 2009.

[tom00_uk]

Defra, UK - Marine and fisheries - Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

Date: 12 November 2009

England’s sea life and habitats will benefit from greater protection after the Marine and Coastal Access Bill received Royal Assent today creating the Marine and Coastal Access Act.

No other country in the world has successfully introduced a single piece of legislation to protect the marine environment.

The Act will create a new marine planning system designed to bring together the conservation, social and economic needs of our seas. A network of Marine Conservation Zones will be created that will protect rare and threatened species and habitats. Four regional projects have started working with local groups and businesses to identify which areas will be designated as Marine Conservation Zones.

Businesses will also benefit from a more streamlined consenting and licensing system through the creation of the Marine Management Organisation. A new range of sanctions will also provide a more flexible approach to marine environment enforcement.

After the Bill received Royal Assent, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:

“This historic, ground-breaking legislation fulfils the Government’s 2005 commitment to introduce a new framework for managing the demands we put on our seas, improve marine conservation, and open up access for the public to the English coast.”

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:
“Our waters are some of the busiest in the world. The new marine planning system will ensure we make space in our seas for all its users and protect our underwater wildlife so that it will flourish in the years to come.

“Half of England’s wildlife and habitats are found under the waters around our shores. We know that our blue spaces face the same pressures from climate change as our green spaces - we just can’t see it. The Marine Conservation Zones created by this groundbreaking Act will therefore recognise that the wildlife and habitats in our seas are just as important as those on the land.”

A single coastal path around England will also be established so people can enjoy the benefits of the coastline. The first section to be completed will be in Weymouth where the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held.

Mr Benn continued:
“Our island has a beautiful coastline that we should all be able to enjoy. The coastal path will allow everyone to access our coast and experience its beauty as well as providing a boost to regional economies through increased tourism. The first section of the coastal path will be completed in time for the lighting of the Olympic flame in 2012.”

The Act also includes new systems for managing and protecting our coastal and marine waters through:
the establishment of a new Marine Management Organisation which will be a centre of marine expertise;
a new marine planning system which will enable a more strategic approach to be taken to the use of our seas;
a simpler more streamlined marine licensing system;
reform of inshore fisheries management; and
better management for migratory and freshwater fisheries.

The new Marine Management Organisation, a centre for professional and proactive marine management to be based in Newcastle, will regulate development and activity at sea and enforce environmental protection laws.