Policy Threads

2 Apr 2026 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Implementing Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement — outcome published

We’re asking for views and evidence on implementing Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

19 Dec 2025 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Implementing Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement — consultation closed

We’re asking for views and evidence on implementing Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

19 Dec 2025 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Implementation of Part IV of the BBNJ Agreement — consultation closed

Calling for evidence on potential activities taking place in the high seas and seeking views on proposed amendments to the marine licensing regime under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) and the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (MSA) to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

21 Nov 2025 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Implementing Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement — consultation opened

We’re asking for views and evidence on implementing Part 4 of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response

21 Nov 2025 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Implementation of Part IV of the BBNJ Agreement — consultation opened

Calling for evidence on potential activities taking place in the high seas and seeking views on proposed amendments to the marine licensing regime under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) and the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (MSA) to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

29 Nov 2024 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office linked

Blue Planet Fund

The UK’s £500 million Blue Planet Fund supports developing countries to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Blue Planet Fund

+2 more

↓ Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) ↓ Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) Grants Progr…

5 Jul 2023 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Highly Protected Marine Areas

UIN: HCWS913 Three Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in English waters - North East of Farnes Deep, Allonby Bay and Dolphin Head are formally designated from today, after Lord Benyon signed the designation orders for these sites on 14th June …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

5 Jul 2023 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Highly Protected Marine Areas: Allonby Bay

Information about the Highly Protected Marine Area designation at Allonby Bay in the Irish Sea.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Highly Protected Marine Areas: Allonby Bay

+1 more

↓ Map of Allonby Bay HPMA (1pp)

5 Jul 2023 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Highly Protected Marine Areas: North East of Farnes Deep

Information about the Highly Protected Marine Area designation at North East of Farnes Deep in the North Sea.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Highly Protected Marine Areas: North East of Fa…

+1 more

↓ Map of the North East of Farnes Deep HPMA (1pp)

5 Jul 2023 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Highly Protected Marine Areas: Dolphin Head

Information about the Highly Protected Marine Area designation at Dolphin Head in the English Channel.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Highly Protected Marine Areas: Dolphin Head

+1 more

↓ Map of Dolphin Head HPMA (1pp)

25 May 2023 | Impact assessment Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Pilot Highly Protected Marine Areas: de minimis assessment

In response to: Highly Protected Marine Areas: policy information

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

31 May 2019 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Marine Conservation Zones: third tranche of designations — outcome published

Seeking views on plans to designate 41 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) around the UK and views on proposed new features to be added to 12 existing MCZs.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses (83pp)

+1 more

↓ Final impact assessment: designation of the third tranche o… (136pp)

20 Jul 2018 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Marine Conservation Zones: third tranche of designations — consultation closed

Seeking views on plans to designate 41 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) around the UK and views on proposed new features to be added to 12 existing MCZs.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses (83pp)

+1 more

↓ Final impact assessment: designation of the third tranche o… (136pp)

8 Jun 2018 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Marine Conservation Zones: third tranche of designations — consultation opened

Seeking views on plans to designate 41 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) around the UK and views on proposed new features to be added to 12 existing MCZs.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses (83pp)

+1 more

↓ Final impact assessment: designation of the third tranche o… (136pp)

17 Jan 2016 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Marine Conservation Zones: second tranche of designations — outcome published

Seeking views on each of the 23 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) proposed for designation. Also proposing new features to be added to 10 existing MCZs.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses (80pp)

+1 more

↓ Final impact assessment on designation of the second tranch… (116pp)

24 Apr 2015 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Marine Conservation Zones: second tranche of designations — consultation closed

Seeking views on each of the 23 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) proposed for designation. Also proposing new features to be added to 10 existing MCZs.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses (80pp)

+1 more

↓ Final impact assessment on designation of the second tranch… (116pp)

30 Jan 2015 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Marine Conservation Zones: second tranche of designations — consultation opened

Seeking views on each of the 23 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) proposed for designation. Also proposing new features to be added to 10 existing MCZs.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses (80pp)

+1 more

↓ Final impact assessment on designation of the second tranch… (116pp)

15 Sep 2014 | Research linked

6th Special Report - Marine protected areas: Government response to the Committee's First Report of Session 2014–15

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK