A CONSULTATION on the enforcement of a new marine licensing system, which will be introduced by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, was launched yesterday by Defra.

The consultation sets out proposals for enforcing the new marine licensing system to regulate marine development works and activities, which will be introduced in April 2011.

Non-compliance with the marine licensing regime has the potential to harm the environment, human health or pose risk to other sea-users. Non-compliance may also create competitive advantage to operators not acting within the law.

Apart from prosecution, current enforcement tools do not provide a fair or effective way to enforce against those breaching marine licensing conditions.

The proposed changes will introduce a suite of tools that will enable more effective and proportionate enforcement of licensing offences committed under the Act. They cover a system of monetary penalties for licensing offences (fixed and variable monetary penalties) and a mechanism for people to appeal against statutory notices.

The consultation closes on 1 June 2010 and can be accessed at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-licensing/index.htm.