Greenpeace activity in South West Deeps (East)

Greenpeace is aware of the MMO’s expedited intentions to implement suitable management protection measures inside England’s offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as a result of additional authorities granted by the Fisheries Act 2020.

In June of this year, the use of bottom-towed gear was banned in four marine protected areas (MPAs) that cover a combined area of over 13,000 km2. These first four marine protected areas (MPAs) were designated as a top priority in order to protect their thriving and productive marine ecosystems, which serve as a key food supply for species like as kittiwakes, puffins, and porpoises.

Since then, the MMO has issued a call for evidence for thirteen more MPAs (from 14 May to 10 July 2022) to solicit feedback on our draft assessment of the consequences of fishing activities on the defined characteristics of this additional set of MPAs. With preparations in place, consideration of the other MPAs will next proceed.

As part of our continuous engagement, MMO had previously met with Greenpeace and invited them to a stakeholder session this month to discuss our offshore MPA work.

Therefore, we are astonished and disturbed by Greenpeace’s revelation that they intend to engage in more illegal action in the South West Deeps MPA (East).

In a prior action against Greenpeace, the court expected Greenpeace to respect and comply with the marine licensing regime in the same manner as all other marine users and stakeholders, and it was made clear that the MMO has the authority to prosecute unlicensed and unlawful activity in the UK marine area.

The MMO remains amenable to collaboration with Greenpeace in order to accomplish our shared objective of controlled and protected oceans. However, if unauthorised activity is conducted, the MMO, as England’s marine regulator, will carry out its regulatory responsibilities in accordance with our compliance and enforcement plan.