Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

42 UK marine area

(1) For the purposes of this Act, the “UK marine area” consists of the following—

(a) the area of sea within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom,

(b) any area of sea within the limits of the exclusive economic zone,

(c) the area of sea within the limits of the UK sector of the continental shelf (so far as not falling within the area mentioned in paragraph (b), and see also subsection (2)),

and includes the bed and subsoil of the sea within those areas.

(2) The area of sea mentioned in subsection (1)(c) is to be treated as part of the UK marine area for any purpose only to the extent that such treatment for that purpose does not contravene any international obligation binding on the United Kingdom or Her Majesty’s government.

(3) In this section “sea” includes—

(a) any area submerged at mean high water spring tide, and

(b) the waters of every estuary, river or channel, so far as the tide flows at mean high water spring tide.

(4) The area of sea referred to in subsection (3)(a) includes waters in any area—

(a) which is closed, whether permanently or intermittently, by a lock or other artificial means against the regular action of the tide, but

(b) into which seawater is caused or permitted to flow, whether continuously or from time to time, and

(c) from which seawater is caused or permitted to flow, whether continuously or from time to time.

(5) Until the coming into force of the first Order in Council made under section 41 (the exclusive economic zone), the reference in subsection (1)(b) to the exclusive economic zone is to be read as a reference to a renewable energy zone.