Ellie and Mae, Coastal Planners for the South West Marine Plan areas have recently contributed to the marine planning section of the South West Marine Ecosystems (SWME) 2024 report, published in July. This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of …
We’re diving into some of the less well known but ecologically vital marine habitats found in England’s offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This includes subtidal sand, mud, sediment, and deep-sea bed. While these habitats may not have the visual appeal …
The spotlight has been on ports and harbours over the last few months, with the aim of improving our engagement with stakeholders and collecting important data. The Coastal Planners initially focused on Statutory Harbour Authorities in order to confirm the …
North East As the North East Coastal Planner and Heritage Assets Policy Lead, I’ve had the opportunity to meet a wide range of stakeholders across the region who are passionate about our marine environment. From the Port of Tyne to …
The MMO’s Strategic Renewables Unit has finalised their work with other government departments, Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs), The Crown Estate and Renewable UK to standardise the post-consent monitoring requirements for offshore wind farms. The aims is to make these …
It’s been two months since the I-VMS licence condition was introduced, and a great time to review our progress and address some of the common questions we’ve been receiving from fishers. We’ve seen a significant rise in the number of …
Britain is home to two species of seals: the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and the common or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). While they usually spend their time lounging on beaches to conserve energy, they occasionally wander into more hazardous environments. They bounce …
On 9 June 2025, we launched our consultation on proposed fisheries management measures for Stage 3 marine protected areas (MPAs). In England, we're fortunate to have a diverse array of marine habitats in our seas. These habitats serve as refuges …
Sian McGuinness from the Marine Planning team discusses a new study “The opportunity for climate action through climate-smart Marine Spatial Planning”, led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory “After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place …
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) Marine Licensing team answer some of the frequently asked questions they receive about the marine licensing process. What is a marine licence? A marine licence is a consent granted under the Marine and Coastal Access …
It’s Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) week across the UK – a national effort to raise awareness of the threat invasive species pose to our environment, economy, and native wildlife. For those working on or near the water, especially fishers, you …