Northern Ireland Marine Bill

The UK Marine and Coastal Access Act will extend in part to Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Marine Bill will contain provisions for marine planning and marine nature conservation within Northern Ireland's territorial waters (within the 12 nautical mile limit).

Policy proposals are currently being developed in four main areas:

• Marine planning in Northern Ireland's inshore region (high water mark out to 12nm). To balance conservation, energy and other resource needs.
• Streamlining of marine licensing where it is appropriate to do so.
• Marine nature conservation in Northern Ireland's inshore region.
• Northern Ireland Marine Task Force - marine bill
  
  A number of publications have been produced:
• Marine licensing and the Marine Bill/Marine Management publications
• Marine Protected Area pilot projects/Marine nature conservation and the Marine Bill/Marine planning and the Marine Bill publications

Next steps

• A consultation document was launched 'A Northern Ireland Marine Bill - Policy Proposals' proposed a framework for Northern Ireland's seas. Responses were requested by 9 July 2010.

For further information contact:

Mark Gray
Environmental Assessment Support Officer
t: 01248 605038
e: m_gray@seafish.co.uk