Do I need a marine licence?

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Before checking if you need a marine licence, please ensure that you are familiar with the methodology, location, and the maximum scope of the proposed works. Your proposed works may involve multiple marine licensable activities; therefore, you should assess each stage of your proposed works. This ensures you are applying for all the marine licensable activities planned to be undertaken within your application. If there are any changes to the scope, location or methodology of the proposed works, you should revisit the Marine Licensing Tool.

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Many activities that take place in and around the sea need a marine licence. It鈥檚 your responsibility to find out if your activity needs a marine licence. This will usually depend on:听

What the activity is听听
Where the activity will take place听
How the activity will be carried out听

Jurisdiction

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 provides that a marine licence is required for certain activities carried out within the听UK marine area.

The听MMO听is responsible for marine licensing in English waters and for Northern Ireland offshore waters.

The听MMO听is also responsible for marine licensing of some activities in other parts of the world.

Find out more about the听MMO鈥檚 jurisdiction

Check if you need a marine licence听

You can check if you need a marine licence using our Marine Licencing Tool听听

You will find out:听

if your activity falls within the jurisdiction of the鈥疢MO听
if an exemption will apply听听
if your activity is suitable for a self-service marine licence听
if your activity requires a standard marine licence听听

Activities that may need a marine licence

There are seven categories of activity that may need a marine licence. Follow the links below to find out more about the activities and the circumstances in which they may need a marine licence:听

You can apply for the following

Standard marine licence
Self-service marine licence
Exemption from a marine licence
Other consents

Standard marine licence听

A standard marine licence is for all activities not covered by an exemption or by a self-service marine licence. You can apply for a standard marine licence online.鈥€齖u003c/p>

Find out more about the听standard marine licence process听and associated听fees.

Self-service marine licence听

A self-service marine licence is suitable for activities that are considered by the MMO to be low risk. The MMO considers activities low risk if they鈥檙e consistent in nature and extent. You can apply for a self-service marine licence online.鈥齖u003c/p>

Find out more about self-service.

Exemption from a marine licence听

An exemption removes the need for a marine licence for some activities in certain circumstances.听

You鈥檒l need to meet the qualifying criteria and conditions for an exemption.鈥� In some circumstances you may also need to notify the MMO about your activities even if your activity is exempt.听听

Find out what action you need to take if your activity is exempt and if you need to notify the MMO.听

MMO uses exemptions to provide proportionate regulation of the marine environment.听MMO can take enforcement action if your activity does not meet the terms of the exemption which you have applied for.鈥齖u003c/p>

Find out more about听exemptions

Other consents听

Activities in and around the marine environment might need consents from other bodies, in addition to a marine licence. This can be the case even if your activity does not need a self-service marine licence or a standard marine licence from the MMO.鈥痋u003c/p>

If your activity could impact a protected species or habitat, you may need a wildlife licence. Find out more about a wildlife licence.鈥齖u003c/p>

If your activity will physically interact with the foreshore (including estuarine) or seabed owned by The Crown Estate you may need a seabed survey licence or coastal survey licence. A map of The Crown Estate鈥檚 foreshore and estuary ownership is available on their鈥痋u003ca rel="external" href="https://opendata-thecrownestate.opendata.arcgis.com/" class="govuk-link">Open Data Portal.鈥齖u003c/p>

If your activity also takes place on land, you may need planning permission from the local planning authority.鈥€齖u003c/li>
If your activity includes discharge of water, you may need a environmental permit from the Environment Agency.听听
If your activity includes abstractions of water, you may need a water abstraction licence from the Environment Agency.鈥齖u003c/li>
If your activity takes place in a Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI) you may need consent from Natural England.鈥齖u003c/li>
If you are planning an offshore energy generation station you may need other consents from the MMO.鈥€齖u003c/li>
Harbour authorities carrying out port developments may need a harbour order.鈥€齖u003c/li>

Marine licence fees鈥齖u003c/h2>
There is a fixed fee for a self-service marine licence, and a variable fee for a standard marine licence. Find out more about our fees.

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