The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is implementing and reviewing marine spatial planning through the Marine Spatial Prioritisation (MSPri) programme and developing a Sea Use Framework to coordinate competing demands on UK waters. The policy addresses fragmented marine management, fishing and conservation priorities, and requires improved governance, transparency, and cross-government coordination through a proposed Sea Use Coordination Board.
In response to: Marine protected areas (MPA) Environment Act target delivery plan
No Parliament can bind its successor and therefore front-loading the 12-year investment would better support ambitious, multi-year projects and deliver early benefits. Current plans for the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund provide £165 million up to 2030–31, yet England’s first-year …
In the interests of transparency, the MMO must include inspection rates and enforcement outcomes in its annual reports beginning with the 2025–26 report. In response to this Report, it should also retrospectively publish inspection data and outcomes for the previous …
Spatial squeeze poses significant and growing challenges, with an increasing number of sectors competing for limited marine space. Although initiatives such as the MSPri programme are intended to inform cross- departmental policy and planning, the absence of any reference to …
Defra should introduce an annual reporting process which details the use of the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme (MSPri). The first report, covering activity during 2025–26, should be published within six months of the publication of this Report. Thereafter, annual MSPri …
Fragmented responsibilities and siloed decision-making continue to undermine coherent marine management. Confusion over the North Sea Future Plan and conflicting policy signals experienced by fishers demonstrate that existing coordination structures are not delivering consistent cross-government dir
To ensure coherent cross-government leadership of the proposed Sea Use Framework by the end of 2026, the government should establish a ministerial board, to oversee the coordination of government policy on the use of UK waters. This ministerial board would …
The Environment Agency should work with MHCLG to strengthen the role of SMPs within Local Plans and use the ongoing Local Plan reforms to establish a statutory requirement for coastal planning authorities to incorporate SMPs as a core part of …
We are seeking views on proposed changes to: increase fees for the marine licence service provided by the Marine Management Organisation ( MMO ) change the list of activities that need a marine licence – to add 5 new exemptions, …
We endorse the Environmental Audit Committee’s recommendation that the Government clarify the objectives and timeline for outputs of the Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme. (Recommendation, Paragraph 80) Type: conclusion | Number: 32 | Response status: accepted Government response: This recom
The three-year progress report on the North East Inshore and North East Offshore Marine Plan.
The three-year progress report on the South Inshore and South Offshore Marine Plan.
The three-year progress report on the South East Inshore Marine Plan.
The three-year progress report on the North West Inshore and North West Offshore Marine Plan.
The three-year progress report on the South West Inshore and South West Offshore Marine Plan.
We are seeking views on proposed changes to: increase fees for the marine licence service provided by the Marine Management Organisation ( MMO ) change the list of activities that need a marine licence – to add 5 new exemptions, …
The current Marine Policy Statement is outdated, not fit for purpose and no longer reflects Government policy or pressures on the marine environment. It therefore must be updated at the earliest opportunity. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33) Type: conclusion | Number: 6 …
We urge Ministers to issue a revised Marine Policy Statement no later than January 2026. The updated statement should reflect the current and evolving pressures on the marine environment, clearly outline the Government’s priorities for marine usage, and set out …
Clear and strategic spatial planning direction from the Government is necessary to guide decision-making, minimise conflicts, and ensure that marine space is allocated in a way that supports both environmental recovery and sustainable economic development. The Government’s proposed Marine Spatial …
We ask the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to clarify the objectives and planned timeline for outputs from the Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme and explain how it contributes to the Department’s aims for “clean, healthy, safe, productive …
The Government should publish a plan to secure a just transition for those affected by changes through targeted support, skills development, identification of long-term opportunities and associated funding. The support should reflect both traditional and emerging marine sectors, to ensure …
Three-year progress reports on the East Marine Plans.
Report setting out the progress with marine plans in England, covering the period 2015 to 2021.
The three-year progress reports on the South Marine plans.
We reiterate the conclusions and recommendations of our predecessor Committee’s 2019 inquiry into Sustainable Seas. (Paragraph 97) • Ministers must urgently set out a timetable to put management plans and monitoring in place for all MPAs. • Different categories of …
Seeking views on the updated marine monitoring programmes.
Seeking views on the updated marine monitoring programmes.
Seeking views on the updated marine monitoring programmes.
An update on Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), covering the approach and timings for the third phase of MCZs.
Report setting out the progress with marine plans in England, covering the period 2009 to 2015.
This is a triennial review of the Marine Management Organisation.
This is a triennial review of the Marine Management Organisation.
This is a triennial review of the Marine Management Organisation.