Marine Management Organisation

The Marine Management Organisation is consulting on consolidating the provisional monthly Non-Quota Species uptake release for UK vessels in EU waters with the monthly UK Sea Fisheries Statistical series at the end of 2026. The proposed single release would simplify access to provisional landings data and provide more information in the monthly series, aligning it more closely with the annual UK Sea Fisheries Statistical series.

The Marine Management Organisation manages real-time closure zones in English waters to protect spawning grounds and reduce the capture and discarding of juvenile cod, haddock, whiting and saithe. The rules apply to UK-licensed vessels of 10 metres or more using specified restricted gears, while smaller vessels are asked to comply voluntarily. Closures are triggered when juvenile fish exceed defined proportions of a sampled haul and cover 50 square nautical miles for 21 days. Fishing with restricted gear in a closed area is illegal and may result in investigation and fines.

The Marine Management Organisation has varied six Deemed Marine Licences associated with the Dogger Bank South East and West Offshore Wind Farms Order 2026. The changes correct cross-references and typographical errors, restore topic-specific monitoring requirements, remove irrelevant conditions, reduce design parameters for offshore converter platform foundations, and update condition numbering. The variations took effect on 29 July 2026, following the Secretary of State’s consent to the project order in May 2026.

The Marine Management Organisation is increasing educational activity to improve awareness of legal protections, wildlife licensing requirements and responsible behaviour around the UK’s native spiny and short-snouted seahorses. Divers, snorkellers and film crews seeking to photograph or film seahorses may need a wildlife licence, while members of the public are advised not to touch, move, crowd or pursue them. Targeted activity will focus on Poole Harbour, Studland Bay and Torbay, including protection of seagrass habitat through Studland Bay’s voluntary no-anchor zone. Guidance is also provided for safely returning stranded or accidentally caught seahorses and reporting sightings to Natural England and The Seahorse Trust.

Offshore energy projects in the UK may require a marine licence, section 36 consent under the Electricity Act 1989, a Development Consent Order under the NSIP regime, or a combination of these. The appropriate route depends on the project’s nature, location and characteristics rather than generating capacity alone. Developers should consult the Marine Management Organisation and other relevant authorities early, identify environmental and other permissions, and determine whether a marine or deemed marine licence applies. Safety zone declarations may also be sought for offshore renewable energy generating stations, typically extending up to 500 metres during construction and 50 metres during operation.