Summary
The Department is consulting on the proposed Marine Plan for Northern Ireland. The Marine Plan has been developed within the framework of the UK Marine Policy Statement.
The Marine Plan (when adopted) will be used by public authorities in taking decisions which affect or might affect the marine area, including authorisation or enforcement decisions, and decisions that relate to the exercise of any function capable of affecting the marine area.
Documents
Consultation description
Across the UK, new systems of marine planning have been introduced. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) and the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (The Marine Act), require the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as the Marine Plan Authority (MPA), to prepare marine plans, which will facilitate the sustainable development of the Northern Ireland marine area.
The Marine Plan for Northern Ireland is a single document made up of two plans, one for the inshore region and one for the offshore region.
You are invited to express your views on the proposed Marine Plan for Northern Ireland and associated documents. All comments are welcome. Please ensure that your comments reach us by the closing date stated, as we are unable to accept late submissions.
You can let us know your views by following the “Respond online” link below. If you prefer, comments on the Marine Plan and associated documents can also be made by email or post.
You can view associated documents, including the Sustainability Appraisal at the link below:
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.