Formal Consultation - MMO management of fishing in marine protected areas

Overview

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is the government’s principal regulator for most activities in English waters. This includes the management of activities in marine protected areas (MPAs).

We are seeking views on the draft assessments and management measures proposed for four offshore MPAs:

• Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation;
• Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge Special Area of Conservation;
• South Dorset Marine Conservation Zone; and
• The Canyons Marine Conservation Zone. 

Please note, this consultation covers proposed management measures the four offshore MPAs above. We will publish information on our next steps for management of non-licensable activities in Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone later in February 2021.

What happens next

The formal consultation, MMO assessment of fishing impacts in marine protected areas, opened on 1 February and closed on 28 March 2021.

We will review the information received during this formal consultation, alongside other information (including analysis of academic literature, fishing logbook and vessel monitoring system data), to update and finalise our assessments and fisheries management measures for these sites.