Transfer of marine regulation powers and changes to harbour regulations in wales

News story TRANSFER OF MARINE REGULATION POWERS AND CHANGES TO HARBOUR REGULATIONS IN WALES From 1 April 2018 marine regulation will transfer from the MMO to NRW and Harbour Orders in Wales

will transfer from the MMO to the Welsh Government Administration of marine and wildlife licence applications and harbour orders will transfer from the Marine Management Organisation to

Welsh ministers from 1 April 2018. Natural Resources Wales will act on behalf of Welsh Ministers to carry out these activities. This follows the commitment by UK Government to devolve

further powers to the Welsh Ministers following recommendations made by the Silk Commission. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MARINE LICENCE APPLICANTS If you have submitted an application to the MMO

prior to 1 April 2018 for a marine and/or wildlife licence, this will continue to be determined by the MMO. Once the licence application has been determined, any post licence requirements,

such as monitoring or discharge of conditions, will be considered by NRW. If you conduct any activities in the Welsh offshore region, please refer to The Marine Licensing (Exempted

Activities) (Wales) Order 2011 for details of activities exempt from the requirement for a marine licence in Wales. If you make an application for a marine licence or a wildlife licence in

the Welsh Offshore region after 1 April 2018, this must be made to NRW. CHANGES TO HARBOUR REGULATIONS IN WALES Under the Wales Act, from 1 April 2018 the Welsh Ministers will also take over

responsibility for port development policy for harbours wholly in Wales apart from major trust ports. This responsibility extends to applications for Harbour Revision and Empowerment

Orders, private act (‘Admiralty’) consents, applications for powers to make harbour directions and confirmation of byelaws. To help ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements, the

Department for Transport (DfT), the MMO and the Welsh Government have agreed that the DfT or the MMO will be responsible for certain applications received before 1 April 2018. All

applications received after 1 April 2018 will be handled by the Welsh Government. CONTACT NATURAL RESOURCES WALES Website - Marine Licensing Email:

[email protected] Telephone: General Enquiries line on 0300 065 3000 Website - Species Licensing Email: [email protected] (English)

[email protected] (Welsh) Telephone: 0300 065 4974 or 0300 065 4921 SHARE THIS PAGE The following links open in a new tab * Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

* Share on Twitter (opens in new tab) UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 27 March 2018