The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking to gather information about the impacts of marine recreational activity and anchoring on habitats and species within England's marine protected areas (MPAs). MPAs are areas established to protect habitats, species and processes essential for healthy, functioning marine ecosystems. 

What is the call for evidence?

MMO has prepared five Impacts Evidence documents summarising the impacts of marine recreational activity and anchoring on marine protected habitats and species. The Impacts Evidence documents focus on:

• benthic sediments and associated species;
• birds;
• grey seals, harbour seals and Eurasian otters;
• reef; and
• seagrass beds, maerl beds, seahorses and stalked jellyfish.

The call for evidence is requesting further information on the impact of marine recreational activities and anchoring on these protected habitats and species.

The marine activities in scope include, but are not limited to:

• anchoring;
• diving and snorkelling;
• hovercraft;
• motorboats;
• motorised personal watercrafts (such as Jetskis);
• paddle sports (such as kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding);
• sail boats; 
• wildlife watching at sea; and
• wind sports (such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, wingsurfing, kite foiling).

The specific marine non-licensable activities that fall within MMOs scope is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-marine-non-licensable-activities-in-marine-protected-areas

Why your views matter

England's coastline is home to a diverse range of internationally important marine habitats. MPAs help protect vital habitats and species, including chalk beds, sand flats and seagrass meadows, that support marine life, store carbon, and provide places for people to enjoy the sea. 

MMO works with coastal communities to protect these special places for future generations by balancing the needs of recreational water users with environmental protection. We know that the people who live, work, and play along the coast have valuable local knowledge of their marine environment. That's why we are asking you to help shape how we protect it. 

Recreational activities like boating, diving, and watersports bring people closer to the sea, but some activities can unintentionally damage the habitats we're trying to protect. By working together, we can find the right balance: protecting what makes these places special while ensuring people can continue to enjoy them. 

We want to hear from you. Your local knowledge, your experience, and your ideas will help us develop management approaches that work for your community and for the marine environment. 

Please visit our website managing marine non-licensable activities in marine protected areas for information on the impacts of recreational activity and anchoring on MPAs.