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Marine & fisheries minister Huw Irranca-Davies launched the new Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on Thursday, February 12, and explained that Tyneside would be the ideal location for the groundbreaking initiative.
The MMO is part of the government's Marine and Coastal Access Bill, and will be a centre of expertise that will contribute to the sustainable development, streamline regulation and improved enforcement of the bill. The organisation's responsibilities will include: - a new marine planning system
- a new integrated marine licensing system
- enforcement of sea fisheries, nature conservation and licensing using powers under the Marine and Coastal Access Bill
Tyneside won the bid to house the MMO after ministers decided the area had the right mix of environmental, business and academic marine interests. ‘It has a working port, a busy local fishing industry, and businesses including offshore renewable energy development, all of which fit well with the MMO's role,' Mr Irranca-Davies explained.
‘The location is integral to its ability to be highly respected by everyone who uses and values our seas, and in Tyneside the MMO will be close to people and organisations who care passionately about marine protection and how we use our seas.'
The organisation will be a non-departmental public body, replacing the Marine and Fisheries Agency, and have powers over waters around England as well as UK offshore waters for non-devolved and reserved matters. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have separate arrangements.
Joan Edwards, head of marine policy at the Wildlife Trusts, welcomes the launch of the MMO. "This will be a very important body, responsible for the implementation of the Marine Bill," she says. "It will need to be a strong organisation and will take the lead on the implementation including, we hope, the designation of Highly Protected Marine Reserves." For more information, go to www.defra.gov.uk/marine/legislation and www.mfa.gov.uk |
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