Section 9: Monitoring of, and periodical reporting on, marine plans
Section 9 sets out the duties imposed on the Department in relation to the monitoring of and reporting on marine plans. Subsection (1) places a duty on the Department to keep the effects, effectiveness and progress of marine plans under review. Such reports must also cover any progress made in the Northern Ireland inshore region towards achieving the objectives set in a MPS.
Subsections (2), (3) and (4) require that the Department reports on a review at least every three years after each marine plan is adopted, and must decide after each report whether or not the plan needs to be amended or replaced. These reports must be laid before the Assembly.
Subsections (6), (7) and (8) impose a second reporting duty, requiring the Department to report at least every six years (from the passing of the Act until 2030) on the marine plans it has prepared, and its intentions as to the amendment of existing plans or preparation of additional plans. Again, these reports must be laid before the Assembly.