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Marine and Coastal Access Bill published
Marine and Coastal Access Bill published
The Marine and Coastal Access Bill was published today, and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 December.
The Bill makes provision for:
- a new network of marine conservation zones;
- the establishment of a new Marine Management Organisation
- a new marine planning system;
- a simpler more streamlined marine licensing system;
- better management of fisheries; and
- a new right of access for people to walk round the English coast for the first time.
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, welcomed the Bill, saying:
"This new system of protection and management of our seas will help to halt the decline in biodiversity and to create clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. And all of us will be able to walk along more of the length of the coast and get close to the sea right around England.”
Page published: 5 December2008