Defra has published three-yearly progress reports for five marine plans covering the North East, North West, South East, South West, and South marine regions. These plans, introduced in 2021, guide sustainable use of England’s seas and remain consistent with national policies like the UK Marine Policy Statement, and the Environment Act 2021. The MMO reports that the plans are increasingly used in licensing and conservation, though public engagement dipped after 2022.
No changes are being made to the plans at this stage, as they’re still considered effective. Officials say more time and data are needed to assess long-term environmental impacts. Work is already underway on updating older plans, starting with the East marine plan.
-
North East Inshore and North East Offshore Marine Plan: three-year report
-
North West Inshore and North West Offshore Marine Plan: three-year report
-
South West Inshore and South West Offshore Marine Plan: three-year report
-
South Inshore and South Offshore Marine Plan: three-year report
Source: Defra.