The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 is providing better protection for our marine environment. Initiatives from the Act include:

• an integrated planning system for managing our seas, coasts and estuaries;
• a robust legal framework for decision-making;
• and streamlined regulation and enforcement.

The marine planning system has three stages:

• the Marine Policy Statement,
• Marine Plans
• and marine licensing.

The principles of integrated coastal zone management are embedded throughout relevant proposals in the Marine and Coastal Access Act.

The UK has some of the richest marine ecosystems in the world, with over 8,000 species recorded in our seas. The Act builds on and improves protection and conservation of marine biodiversity by introducing  marine conservation zones, which, with European sites will be part of our network of marine protected areas.

Through Common Fisheries Policy reform we are seeking integration of fisheries policy with other policies applying to the marine environment. We are currently taking particular steps to protect marine species from fishing activity.