This instrument prescribes the particulars of the matters required by section 101 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (“the Act”) to be contained in the register of information maintained by the Secretary of State as a licensing authority. Section 66 of the Act identifies licensable marine activities.

Regulation 5 prescribes the particulars that must be included in the register relating to applications and licences. Regulations 6 to 12 prescribe additional particulars relating to particular types of applications and licences. Regulations 13 and 14 prescribe particulars relating to variations, revocations, suspensions and transfers of licences. Regulations 15 to 17 prescribe particulars relating to convictions, other enforcement action and remedial action.

Section 101(5) of the Act prohibits inclusion in the register of certain information on the grounds of national security or commercial confidentiality. See paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to the Act for transitional provisions relating to the register maintained under section 14 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

The Licensing Policy Team at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR can be contacted in relation to the availability of the register.

A full impact assessment of the effects that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from Defra’s Licensing Policy Team at the above address and from Defra’s website at www.defra.gov.uk.