Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

1. Introductory Text

2. Part 1 The Marine Management Organisation

   1. Chapter 1 Establishment

      1. 1. The Marine Management Organisation

      2. 2. General objective

      3. 3. Performance

   2. Chapter 2 Transfer of functions to the MMO

      1. Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967

         1. 4. Licensing of fishing boats

         2. 5. Restrictions on time spent at sea: appeals

         3. 6. Trans-shipment licences for vessels

         4. 7. Regulations supplementary to sections 4 and 4A

         5. 8. Exemptions for operations for scientific and other purposes

      2. Nature conservation

         1. 9. Licences to kill or take seals

         2. 10. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

         3. 11. Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992

   3. Generating and renewable energy installations

      1. 12. Certain consents under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989

      2. 13. Safety zones: functions under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004

   4. Chapter 3 Agreements involving the MMO for the exercise of functions

      1. Powers to enter into agreements

         1. 14. Agreements between the Secretary of State and the MMO

         2. 15. Agreements between the MMO and eligible bodies

         3. 16. Eligible bodies

         4. 17. Non-delegable functions

         5. 18. Maximum duration of agreement

      2. Supplementary provisions

         1. 19. Particular powers

         2. 20. Agreements with certain harbour authorities

         3. 21. Supplementary provisions with respect to agreements

         4. 22. Interpretation of this Chapter

   5. Chapter 4 Miscellaneous, general and supplemental provisions

      1. Applications for development consent

         1. 23. MMO’s role in relation to applications for development consent

      2. General powers and duties

         1. 24. Research

         2. 25. Advice, assistance and training facilities

         3. 26. Provision of information etc

         4. 27. Power to charge for services

         5. 28. Provision of information by the MMO to the Secretary of State

         6. 29. Power to bring proceedings

         7. 30. Continuation of certain existing prosecutions

         8. 31. Incidental powers

      3. Financial provisions

         1. 32. Grants

         2. 33. Borrowing powers

         3. 34. Limit on borrowing

         4. 35. Government loans

         5. 36. Government guarantees

      4. Directions and guidance

         1. 37. Directions by the Secretary of State

         2. 38. Guidance by the Secretary of State

      5. Transfer schemes etc

         1. 39. Transfer schemes

         2. 40. Interim arrangements

3. Part 2 Exclusive economic zone, UK marine area and Welsh zone

   1. 41. Exclusive economic zone

   2. 42. UK marine area

   3. 43. Welsh zone

4. Part 3 Marine planning

   1. Chapter 1 Marine policy statement

      1. 44. Marine policy statement

      2. 45. Preparation and coming into effect of statement

      3. 46. Review of statement

      4. 47. Amendment of statement

      5. 48. Withdrawal of, or from, statement

   2. Chapter 2 Marine plans

      1. 49. Marine planning regions

      2. 50. Marine plan authorities

      3. 51. Marine plans for marine plan areas

      4. 52. Amendment of marine plan

      5. 53. Withdrawal of marine plan

      6. 54. Duty to keep relevant matters under review

   3. Chapter 3 Delegation of functions relating to marine plans

      1. 55. Delegation of functions relating to marine plans

      2. 56. Directions under section 55: supplementary provisions

      3. 57. Directions to public bodies as regards performance of delegated functions

   4. Chapter 4 Implementation and effect

      1. Decisions affected by an MPS or marine plan

         1. 58. Decisions affected by marine policy documents

         2. 59. The appropriate marine policy documents

         3. 60. Meaning of “retained functions” etc

      2. Monitoring and reporting

         1. 61. Monitoring of, and periodical reporting on, implementation

   5. Chapter 5 Miscellaneous and general provisions

      1. Validity of documents under this Part

         1. 62. Validity of marine policy statements and marine plans

         2. 63. Powers of the court on an application under section 62

      2. Interpretation and Crown application

         1. 64. Interpretation and Crown application of this Part

5. Part 4 Marine licensing

   1. Chapter 1 Marine licences

      1. 65. Requirement for licence

      2. 66. Licensable marine activities

      3. 67. Applications

      4. 68. Notice of applications

      5. 69. Determination of applications

      6. 70. Inquiries

      7. 71. Licences

      8. 72. Variation, suspension, revocation and transfer

      9. 73. Appeals against licensing decisions

   2. Chapter 2 Exemptions and special cases

      1. Exemptions

         1. 74. Exemptions specified by order

         2. 75. Exemptions for certain dredging etc activities

         3. 76. Dredging in the Scottish zone

         4. 77. Oil and gas activities and carbon dioxide storage

      2. Special provisions in certain cases

         1. 78. Special procedure for applications relating to harbour works

         2. 79. Special procedure for applications relating to certain electricity works

         3. 80. Electronic communications apparatus

         4. 81. Submarine cables on the continental shelf

         5. 82. Structures in, over or under a main river

         6. 83. Requirements for Admiralty consent under local legislation

         7. 84. Byelaws for flood defence and drainage purposes

   3. Chapter 3 Enforcement

      1. Offences

         1. 85. Breach of requirement for, or conditions of, a licence

         2. 86. Action taken in an emergency

         3. 87. Electronic communications: emergency works

         4. 88. Activity licensed by another State

         5. 89. Information

      2. Enforcement notices

         1. 90. Compliance notice

         2. 91. Remediation notice

         3. 92. Further provision as to enforcement notices

      3. Civil sanctions

         1. 93. Fixed monetary penalties

         2. 94. Fixed monetary penalties: procedure

         3. 95. Variable monetary penalties

         4. 96. Variable monetary penalties: procedure

         5. 97. Further provision about civil sanctions

   4. Chapter 4 Delegation

      1. 98. Delegation of functions relating to marine licensing

      2. 99. Orders under section 98: supplementary provisions

      3. 100. Directions to persons as regards performance of delegated functions

   5. Chapter 5 Supplementary

      1. Register

         1. 101. Register

      2. Stop notices and emergency safety notices

         1. 102. Notice to stop activity causing serious harm etc

         2. 103. Further provision as to stop notices

         3. 104. Emergency safety notices

         4. 105. Further provision as to emergency safety notices

      3. Other powers

         1. 106. Power to take remedial action

         2. 107. Power to test, and charge for testing, certain substances

      4. Appeals against notices under this Part

         1. 108. Appeals against notices

      5. Offences: supplementary provision

         1. 109. General defence of due diligence

         2. 110. Offences: jurisdiction

      6. Application to the Crown

         1. 111. Application to the Crown

      7. Consequential and transitional provision

         1. 112. Amendments and transitional provision

      8. Interpretation

         1. 113. The appropriate licensing authority

         2. 114. Meaning of “enforcement authority”

         3. 115. Interpretation of this Part

6. Part 5 Nature conservation

   1. Chapter 1 Marine conservation zones

      1. Designation of zones

         1. 116. Marine conservation zones

         2. 117. Grounds for designation of MCZs

         3. 118. Further provision as to orders designating MCZs

         4. 119. Consultation before designation

         5. 120. Publication of orders designating MCZs

         6. 121. Hearings by appropriate authority

         7. 122. Amendment, revocation and review of orders designating MCZs

      2. Duties relating to network

         1. 123. Creation of network of conservation sites

         2. 124. Report

      3. Duties of public authorities

         1. 125. General duties of public authorities in relation to MCZs

         2. 126. Duties of public authorities in relation to certain decisions

         3. 127. Advice and guidance by conservation bodies

         4. 128. Failure to comply with duties etc

      4. Byelaws for protection of MCZs etc: England

         1. 129. Byelaws for protection of MCZs in England

         2. 130. Byelaws: procedure

         3. 131. Emergency byelaws

         4. 132. Interim byelaws

         5. 133. Further provision as to byelaws

      5. Orders for protection of MCZs etc: Wales

         1. 134. Orders for protection of MCZs in Wales

         2. 135. Consultation etc regarding orders under section 134

         3. 136. Interim orders

         4. 137. Further provision as to orders made under section 134 or 136

      6. Hearings

         1. 138. Hearings by Secretary of State or Welsh Ministers

      7. Offences

         1. 139. Offence of contravening byelaws or orders

         2. 140. Offence of damaging etc protected features of MCZs

         3. 141. Exceptions to offences under section 139 or 140

      8. Fixed monetary penalties

         1. 142. Fixed monetary penalties

         2. 143. Fixed monetary penalties: procedure

         3. 144. Further provision about fixed monetary penalties

      9. Miscellaneous and supplemental

         1. 145. Application to the Crown

         2. 146. Consequential and transitional provision

         3. 147. Interpretation of this Chapter

   2. Chapter 2 Other conservation sites

      1. 148. Marine boundaries of SSSIs and national nature reserves

7. Part 6 Management of inshore fisheries

   1. Chapter 1 Inshore fisheries and conservation authorities

      1. Inshore fisheries and conservation districts and authorities

         1. 149. Establishment of inshore fisheries and conservation districts

         2. 150. Inshore fisheries and conservation authorities

         3. 151. Membership and proceedings of IFC authorities

         4. 152. Amendment or revocation of orders under section 149

      2. Main duties

         1. 153. Management of inshore fisheries

         2. 154. Protection of marine conservation zones

      3. Byelaws

         1. 155. Power to make byelaws

         2. 156. Provision that may be made by byelaw

         3. 157. Emergency byelaws

         4. 158. Byelaws: supplementary provision

         5. 159. Power of Secretary of State to amend or revoke byelaws

         6. 160. Byelaws: procedure

         7. 161. Inquiries

         8. 162. Evidence of byelaws

      4. Offences

         1. 163. Offences

         2. 164. Powers of court following conviction

      5. Enforcement

         1. 165. Inshore fisheries and conservation officers

         2. 166. Powers of IFC officers

      6. Power to delegate functions

         1. 167. Power to enter into agreements with eligible bodies

         2. 168. Eligible bodies

         3. 169. Variation, review and cancellation of agreements under section 167

         4. 170. Agreements under section 167: particular powers

         5. 171. Supplementary provisions with respect to agreements under section 167

      7. Other powers and duties of IFC authorities

         1. 172. Development, etc of fisheries

         2. 173. Provision of services by IFC authorities

         3. 174. Duty of co-operation

         4. 175. Information

         5. 176. Accounts

         6. 177. Annual plan

         7. 178. Annual report

         8. 179. Supplementary powers

      8. Miscellaneous and supplemental

         1. 180. Expenses of IFC authorities

         2. 181. IFC authority as party to proceedings

         3. 182. Exemption from liability

         4. 183. Report by Secretary of State

         5. 184. Minor and consequential amendments

         6. 185. Application to the Crown

         7. 186. Interpretation of this Chapter

   2. Chapter 2 Local fisheries committees

      1. 187. Abolition of local fisheries committees

      2. 188. Power to make consequential or transitional provision, etc

   3. Chapter 3 Inshore fisheries in Wales

      1. 189. Power of Welsh Ministers in relation to fisheries in Wales

      2. 190. Offences

      3. 191. Powers of court following conviction

      4. 192. Power to provide services for purposes of enforcement

      5. 193. Miscellaneous amendments

8. Part 7 Fisheries

   1. Chapter 1 The Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967

      1. 194. Size limits for sea fish

      2. 195. Regulation of nets and other fishing gear

      3. 196. Charging for commercial fishing licences

      4. 197. Grant of licences subject to conditions imposed for environmental purposes

      5. 198. Power to restrict fishing for sea fish

      6. 199. Penalties for offences

      7. 200. Offences by directors, partners, etc

      8. 201. Minor and consequential amendments

   2. Chapter 2 The Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967

      1. 202. Power to make orders as to fisheries for shellfish

      2. 203. Variation etc of orders as a result of development

      3. 204. Purposes for which tolls etc may be applied

      4. 205. Increase in penalties for certain offences relating to fisheries for shellfish

      5. 206. Liability of master, etc where vessel used in commission of offence

      6. 207. Restrictions imposed by grantees, etc

      7. 208. Cancellation of licence after single relevant conviction

      8. 209. Register of licences

      9. 210. Protection of private shellfish beds

      10. 211. Use of implements of fishing

      11. 212. Taking of crabs and lobsters for scientific purposes

      12. 213. Orders prohibiting the taking and sale of certain lobsters

      13. 214. Power to appoint inspector before making orders as to fisheries for shellfish

   3. Chapter 3 Migratory and freshwater fish

      1. Taking fish etc

         1. 215. Prohibited implements

         2. 216. Roe etc

         3. 217. Licences to fish

         4. 218. Limitation of licences

         5. 219. Authorisation to fish

         6. 220. Enforcement

         7. 221. Power to specify fish

         8. 222. Order-making powers: supplementary

         9. 223. Definitions relating to fish

      2. Byelaws

         1. 224. Power to make byelaws

         2. 225. Byelaws: emergency procedures

         3. 226. Byelaws: enforcement

         4. 227. Byelaws: compensation

      3. Supplementary

         1. 228. Theft of fish from private fisheries etc

         2. 229. Handling fish

         3. 230. Duties of the Environment Agency

         4. 231. Tweed and Esk fisheries

         5. 232. Keeping, introduction and removal of fish

         6. 233. Consequential and supplementary amendments

   4. Chapter 4 Obsolete fisheries enactments

      1. 234. Repeal of spent or obsolete enactments

9. Part 8 Enforcement

   1. Chapter 1 Enforcement officers

      1. Marine enforcement officers

         1. 235. Marine enforcement officers

         2. 236. Enforcement of marine licensing regime

         3. 237. Enforcement of nature conservation legislation

         4. 238. Enforcement of fisheries legislation

         5. 239. Marine enforcement officers as British sea-fishery officers

      2. Other enforcement officers

         1. 240. Marine licensing: oil and gas and other reserved matters

         2. 241. Marine licensing: Northern Ireland

         3. 242. Marine licensing: enforcement in Scottish offshore region

         4. 243. Enforcement of MCZs in Scottish offshore region

      3. Interpretation

         1. 244. Interpretation of this Chapter

   2. Chapter 2 Common enforcement powers

      1. Introductory

         1. 245. Common enforcement powers

      2. Entry, search and seizure

         1. 246. Power to board and inspect vessels and marine installations

         2. 247. Power to enter and inspect premises

         3. 248. Power to enter and inspect vehicles

         4. 249. Dwellings

         5. 250. Powers of search, examination, etc

         6. 251. Power to require production of documents, etc

         7. 252. Powers of seizure, etc

         8. 253. Further provision about seizure

         9. 254. Retention of seized items

      3. Miscellaneous and ancillary powers

         1. 255. Power to record evidence of offences

         2. 256. Power to require name and address

         3. 257. Power to require production of licence, etc

         4. 258. Power to require attendance of certain persons

         5. 259. Power to direct vessel or marine installation to port

         6. 260. Assistance etc

         7. 261. Power to use reasonable force

      4. Interpretation

         1. 262. Interpretation of this Chapter

   3. Chapter 3 Licensing enforcement powers

      1. 263. Power to require information relating to certain substances and objects

   4. Chapter 4 Fisheries enforcement powers

      1. Inspection and seizure of objects at sea

         1. 264. Power to inspect and seize objects at sea

         2. 265. Reports of inspections under section 264

         3. 266. Retention of objects seized under section 264(2)

         4. 267. Disposal of objects seized under section 264

      2. Seizure for purposes of forfeiture

         1. 268. Power to seize fish for purposes of forfeiture

         2. 269. Power to seize fishing gear for purposes of forfeiture

         3. 270. Procedure in relation to seizure under section 268 or 269

         4. 271. Retention of property seized under section 268 or 269

         5. 272. Bonds for release of seized fish or gear

         6. 273. Power of relevant authority to sell seized fish in its possession

         7. 274. Disposal of property seized under section 268 or 269

      3. Forfeiture

         1. 275. Forfeiture etc of prohibited items

         2. 276. Forfeiture etc of fish failing to meet size requirements

         3. 277. Further provision about forfeiture under section 275 or 276

         4. 278. Forfeiture by court following conviction

      4. Detention of vessels in connection with court proceedings

         1. 279. Power to detain vessels in connection with court proceedings

         2. 280. Release of vessels detained under section 279

         3. 281. Power of court to order release of vessels

         4. 282. Bonds for release of vessels

         5. 283. Power of court to order repayment of bonds

      5. Production of equipment

         1. 284. Power to require production of certain equipment

      6. Supplementary

         1. 285. Service of notices, etc

         2. 286. Conclusion of proceedings

         3. 287. Interpretation of this Chapter

   5. Chapter 5 Common enforcement provisions

      1. Introductory

         1. 288. Meaning of “enforcement officer”

      2. Duties of enforcement officers

         1. 289. Duty to provide evidence of authority

         2. 290. Duty to state name and purpose, etc

      3. Liability of enforcement officers

         1. 291. Liability of enforcement officers etc

      4. Offences in relation to enforcement officers

         1. 292. Offences in relation to enforcement officers

   6. Chapter 6 Miscellaneous and supplementary

      1. Enforcement of Community rules

         1. 293. Enforcement of Community rules

      2. Administrative penalty schemes

         1. 294. Administrative penalty schemes

      3. Crown application

         1. 295. Application to the Crown

10. Part 9 Coastal access

    1. The coastal access duty

       1. 296. The coastal access duty

       2. 297. General provision about the coastal access duty

       3. 298. The coastal access scheme

       4. 299. Review of the coastal access scheme

       5. 300. The English coast

       6. 301. River estuaries

    2. Implementation of the coastal access duty

       1. 302. Long-distance routes

       2. 303. Access to the coastal margin

       3. 304. Establishment and maintenance of the English coastal route etc

    3. Liabilities

       1. 305. Restricting liabilities of Natural England and the Secretary of State

       2. 306. Occupiers’ liability

    4. General

       1. 307. Isles of Scilly

       2. 308. The Crown

       3. 309. Interpretation of this Part

    5. Wales

       1. 310. Powers of National Assembly for Wales

11. Part 10 Miscellaneous

    1. Natural England

       1. 311. Area in which functions of Natural England exercisable

       2. 312. Natural England not to be responder for Civil Contingencies Act 2004

    2. Countryside Council for Wales

       1. 313. Area in which functions of Countryside Council for Wales exercisable

    3. Works detrimental to navigation

       1. 314. Works detrimental to navigation

    4. Harbours Act 1964

       1. 315. Amendments of the Harbours Act 1964

12. Part 11 Supplementary provisions

    1. 316. Regulations and orders

    2. 317. Directions

    3. 318. Offences by directors, partners, etc

    4. 319. Disapplication of requirement for consent to certain prosecutions

    5. 320. Power to make transitional provisions and savings

    6. 321. Repeals

    7. 322. Interpretation

    8. 323. Extent

    9. 324. Commencement

    10. 325. Short title

13. 1. Schedule 1

       The Marine Management Organisation

    2. Schedule 2

       Minor and consequential amendments relating to the MMO

    3. Schedule 3

       Transfer schemes

    4. Schedule 4

       Exclusive economic zone and Welsh zone: consequential amendments

       1. Part 1 Exclusive economic zone

       2. Part 2 Welsh zone

    5. Schedule 5

       Preparation of an MPS or of amendments of an MPS

    6. Schedule 6

       Marine plans: preparation and adoption

    7. Schedule 7

       Further provision about civil sanctions under Part 4

    8. Schedule 8

       Licensing: minor and consequential amendments

       1. Part 1 Consequential amendments

       2. Part 2 Other amendments

    9. Schedule 9

       Licensing: transitional provision relating to Part 4

       1. Part 1 Interpretation

       2. Part 2 Coast Protection Act 1949

       3. Part 3 Food and Environment Protection Act 1985

       4. Part 4 Miscellaneous

    10. Schedule 10

        Further provision about fixed monetary penalties under section 142

    11. Schedule 11

        Consequential amendments relating to MCZs

    12. Schedule 12

        Transitional provision relating to MCZs

    13. Schedule 13

        Marine boundaries of SSSIs and national nature reserves

        1. Part 1 Introductory

        2. Part 2 Sites of special scientific interest

        3. Part 3 National nature reserves

    14. Schedule 14

        Inshore fisheries and conservation authorities: amendments

    15. Schedule 15

        Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967: minor and consequential amendments

    16. Schedule 16

        Migratory and freshwater fish: consequential and supplementary amendments

    17. Schedule 17

        Warrants issued under section 249

    18. Schedule 18

        Forfeiture of property under section 275 or 276

    19. Schedule 19

        Schedule 1A to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949

    20. Schedule 20

        Establishment and maintenance of the English coastal route etc

    21. Schedule 21

        Amendments of the Harbours Act 1964

    22. Schedule 22

        Repeals

        1. Part 1 EEZ, UK marine area and Welsh zone

        2. Part 2 Marine licensing

        3. Part 3 Nature conservation

        4. Part 4 Management of inshore fisheries

        5. Part 5 Fisheries

        6. Part 6 Enforcement

        7. Part 7 Coastal access

        8. Part 8 Miscellaneous