Demersal Fisheries Management Plans proposals: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report

Appendix D: Marine Plans – Specific detail within the UK

Scotland

Scotland’s first National Marine Plan was adopted in 2015 and provides a statutory policy framework to guide the sustainable development and management of marine activities and resources in Scotland’s marine area. The plan was developed and adopted in accordance with the requirements set out in the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) 2009 and Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (the ‘Marine Acts’) and in conformity with the UK Marine Policy Statement. Under the MCAA, Scottish Ministers are the marine plan authority, and the plan covers both Scottish inshore and offshore waters and applies to the exercise of both reserved and devolved functions. The plan sets out specific national and regional policies and objectives relating to commercial fisheries, alongside cross-cutting general policies on environment and ecosystem conservation, sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

England

Marine plans put into practice the objectives for the marine environment that are identified in the MPS alongside the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Localism Act 2011. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for preparing marine plans in England, and published the North East, North West, South West, South East marine plans by 2021. The marine plans include policies to support a sustainable fishing industry and a healthy marine environment.

Northern Ireland

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) and the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (The Marine Act), require the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as the Marine Plan Authority (MPA), to prepare marine plans. The draft Marine Plan has been developed within the framework of the UK Marine Policy Statement (UK MPS) and is expected to be published soon. This will facilitate the sustainable development of the marine area. The draft Marine Plan includes a key activity policy on commercial fishing.

Wales

The first Welsh National Marine Plan was introduced in 2019, providing a statutory policy framework to help guide the sustainable development of the Welsh marine area. It was prepared and adopted under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) to conform with the UK MPS. Under the MCAA, the Welsh Ministers are the marine plan authority for the Welsh marine planning area and the Welsh Marine Plan covers both the inshore and offshore areas. The Marine Plan includes specific policies in relation to commercial fisheries alongside cross-cutting environmental and socio-economic policies.