What is a Marine Licence?
Not anyone can just dive into the sea and start construction work when they feel like it. This is why a Marine Licence is required to ensure that all aquatic plants and wildlife that exist in the sea are preserved and protected when construction work is taking place.
The kind of construction work that could take place may include if you are depositing or removing any substance or object in the sea, as well as clearing the seabed of mud, weeds, and rubbish with a dredge.
In England, the marine licensing authority is the Marine Management Organisation, also referred to as the MMO. The MMO hold have licensing powers under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
How much is a Marine Licence?
Marine licence applications are assessed and categorised into fee bands with the price of a licence being determined by the activities in which you will be conducting. For example, a licence needed for a burial at sea will be far less expensive than a licence required to use explosives on a seabed.
A full list of fee bands and prices for a Marine Licence can be found on the Official UK Government Website.
How to apply for a Marine Licence
You can apply for a Marine Licence via the Official Marine Management Organisation Website.
REMEMBER – All applications will need to be assessed by an environmental impact assessment carried out by the Marine Management Organisation before a licence can be approved.
