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

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

Interests

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