Marine and Coastal Access

A Bill to make provision in relation to marine functions and activities; to make provision about migratory and freshwater fish; to make provision for and in connection with the establishment of an English coastal walking route and of rights of access to land near the English coast; to enable the making of Assembly Measures in relation to Welsh coastal routes for recreational journeys and rights of access to land near the Welsh coast; to make further provision in relation to Natural England and the Countryside Council of Wales; to make provision in relation to works which are detrimental to navigation; to amend the Harbours Act 1964; and for connected purposes.

A draft Marine Bill was published on 3 April 2008 for public consultation. It was also subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by Parliament. The Bill covers a broad range of marine issues.

Key areas

• Sets up a new Marine Management Organisation under which many of the existing, diverse areas of marine regulation would be centralised
• streamlines the existing marine licensing system and provides powers to create a joined-up marine planning policy
• introduces new measures to reform fisheries management
• provides a framework for establishing marine conservation zones
• enables the creation of a walkable route around the English coast.