MMO Consultation - Scientific Instruments
- Joe Dennett
- Jun 21
- 1 min read
Proposed amendment to licensed activity management:
20th June 2025 – 15th August 2025
"The proposed amendment would retain the need for a marine licence to use scientific instruments that pose the greatest risk to the safety of navigation.
However, where criteria are met the activity would move from a standard marine licence to a self-service licence under fee Band 1.
Our government recognizes the issues.
DEFRA assessments and reports 2002 - 2025 state that:
· “A key challenge within marine mammal conservation is the lack of data, which creates uncertainty around population trends…”
· “…To meet the ambitious goals of the UK Marine Strategy and the 25-Year Environment Plan, robust marine monitoring systems are essential.”
· “In 2019, the UK Marine Strategy Good Environmental Status (GES) assessment highlighted the need for improved assessment tools to evaluate marine mammal health and their contribution to GES…”
· (We need) “… investment in technology innovation, improved data collection and monitoring outcomes…”
(And to) “… gather the evidence required to deliver on assessment and reporting needs, and drive forward long-term progress…”
The MMO Consultation questions relevant to scientific instruments:
2a. Do you agree with the proposed amendment to make tethered instruments a self-service activity?
2b. Do you agree with the proposed amendment to make instruments which reduce navigational clearance by more than 5% a self-service activity?