The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) was established at midnight on 1 April.

The new executive non-departmental public body has been created under the UKs Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, bringing together key marine decision-making powers and delivery mechanisms to provide an integrated method of planning, regulating and licensing activity in the marine area.

The MMO has incorporated the work of the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) and has acquired several important new roles, principally marine-related powers and specific functions previously associated with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Transport (DfT).

The MMO will:

  • Be the national champion of sustainable development in our marine and coastal area
  • Implement a new marine planning system
  • Implement a new marine licensing regime that is easier for everyone to use
  • Streamline the management and regulation of England’s fisheries
  • Work with Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) to create and manage a network of protected areas, marine conservation zones (MCZs), designed to preserve vulnerable habitats and species
  • Respond to marine emergencies with other agencies

The MMO consists of a headquarters in Newcastle and an integrated chain of 18 coastal offices around the coast of England.

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