Guidance: Marine non licensable activities: guidance, sites and evidence

These activities can include anchoring, boating, sailing kayaking, kitesurfing, diving and snorkelling. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) considers the effects of marine non licensable activities on protected features in marine protected areas within 12 nautical miles of the English coast.

Use Natural England’s site search for detailed information about inshore MPAs, maps, protected features, conservation advice and condition information. JNCC Marine Protected Area Mapper displays MPA boundaries in all UK and Crown Dependency water.

MMO is seeking evidence about the impacts of marine recreational activities and anchoring on protected habitats and species in England’s marine protected areas. The evidence will help them inform MMO’s assessment of marine non licensable activities. The call for evidence closes on 25 November 2026

Marine protected areas can protect habitats, species or other features. Information about a protected feature can help explain why particular activities are being reviewed or managed.