Marine licences: changes to fees, exemptions and self-service licences

Closes 15 Aug 2025

Opened 20 Jun 2025

Overview

We are seeking views on proposed changes to: 

  • increase fees for the marine licence service provided by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO
  • change the list of activities that need a marine licence – to add 5 new exemptions, amend 4 exemptions and remove some existing exemptions  
  • add 2 new self-service licences    

These changes aim to improve the marine licensing service’s efficiency and cost recovery, whilst supporting the government’s plans for growth and nature recovery.

The consultation applies to the English inshore and offshore region and the Northern Ireland offshore region regulated by the MMO.

Give us your views

Audiences

  • Water/water Industry sector
  • Aggregates sector
  • All Marine Users
  • Animal welfare campaigners
  • Beach Users
  • Business/Private Sector
  • Charities/Voluntary Organisations
  • Coastal local authorities
  • Coastal Management sector
  • Coastal Members of Parliament
  • Commercial Fisheries Organisations
  • Consultants
  • Energy sector
  • Energy suppliers
  • Environmental campaigners
  • Environmental professional services
  • Fisheries Producer Organisations
  • Fishermen
  • Fishing Focus individual recipients
  • Fishing Industry
  • Fishing Industry
  • Government Agencies
  • IFCAs
  • Industries and professional services
  • Member of the General Public
  • Non-Government Organisation
  • Ports and Harbour Authorities and Estuaries
  • Professional and Membership Organisations/Agencies
  • Public Bodies
  • Shellfish Cultivators
  • SME businesses
  • Stakeholders
  • Tourism industry
  • Transport Organisations

Interests

  • Animals
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate change
  • Conservation
  • Conservation
  • Construction
  • Consultations
  • DEFRA Policy
  • Ecosystems services
  • Green economy
  • Green infrastructure
  • Local environments
  • Local nature partnerships
  • Marine
  • Marine Conservation
  • Marine Conservation Zones
  • Marine fisheries
  • Marine licensing
  • Natural environment
  • Noise
  • Non-native species
  • Plants
  • Policy and Delivery
  • Pollution Sector
  • Protecting wildlife
  • Recreational sector
  • Science
  • Shellfish
  • Shellfish
  • Sustainable development
  • Sustainable Fishing
  • Water quality
  • Whales and dolphins
  • Wildlife management