Marine planning: managing development in our seas and coastlines

Last updated: 2 July 2025

Marine planning is the management of activities within seas and around coastlines. The need for marine planning came about as our seas became increasingly crowded, with competing demands on space for marine activities and protection measures. Marine planning was established to manage the use of our seas in the most sustainable way.  

Most of the activities that take place in Northern Irish waters are managed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), who are the marine plan authority.  

The Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 require DAERA to prepare marine plans, for the better management of the Northern Ireland marine area. The Northern Ireland marine area is made up of an inshore region (out to 12 nautical miles) and an offshore region (an area beyond 12 nautical miles). 

The UK Marine Policy Statement (MPS) provides the framework for preparing marine plans and making decisions affecting the marine environment. The MPS was jointly adopted by the Secretary of State, Scottish Ministers, Welsh Ministers and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland in 2011. The MPS and marine plans form a plan-led system for marine activities in Northern Ireland, in a similar way that the Strategic Planning Policy Statement and local development plans do for land-based development. 

Marine plans must be consistent with the objectives set out in the MPS and contribute to their delivery. They have to take many factors into account, including marine conservation zones and duties upon the Government to achieve ‘good environmental status’, as set out in the UK Marine Strategy. 

The different stages and requirements of the marine planning process are outlined in Schedule 1 of the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (in relation to the inshore region) and Schedule 6 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (in relation to the offshore region). Guidance on the pressures and impacts associated with key activities taking place in the marine environment is outlined in the MPS. 

The Marine Plan for Northern Ireland (which is currently still in draft) will inform and guide the regulation, management, use and protection of the marine area. It is a single document made up of two plans, one for the inshore region and one for the offshore region. 

The draft Marine Plan contains 8 objectives which aim to: 
 

• Promote the sustainable development of productive activities. 

• Help realise the potential of energy resources and energy storage within the marine area. 

• Promote the development of vibrant, accessible and sustainable coastal communities. 

• Promote the marine resource, its recreational value and its wider economic, environmental and social benefits to all. 

• Promote the preservation and enjoyment of marine related heritage assets. 

• Promote a healthy, resilient and adaptable marine ecosystem 

• Contribute towards climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. 

• Continue to develop a sound marine evidence base to increase understanding and to support the development, monitoring and review of marine plans.  
   

Marine plans can encourage local communities to get involved in planning, ensure that the environment is considered from the start and encourage nature friendly developments. They can also bring about economic benefits by making the most of growth and job opportunities. 

DAERA is required by Section 61 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to prepare reports on the marine plan process in Northern Ireland at six-yearly intervals (up until 1st January 2030). The most recent six yearly report, for the period 2015 to 2021, was published in November 2021.  

Once adopted, marine plan authorities must monitor and review Plans every three years. They check that policies are still effective, and progress is being made to meet the objectives of the Plan and the Marine Policy Statement. 

An effective time to get involved in marine planning is during the preparation and review of marine plans. Marine plan authorities are required to produce a Statement of Public Participation which sets out how and when they will engage with the public and other interested parties during the marine planning process.  

DAERA published their most recent Statement of Public Participation in 2022, which shows that a public consultation on the draft Marine Plan was completed in 2018, and a report was published in 2021 summarising and analysing the responses to the consultation. The Plan is currently still in draft form and continues to progress towards finalisation and adoption.  

For further information about opportunities for engagement, contact the DAERA Marine Plan Team at marineplanteam@daera-ni.gov.uk. 

Development that may have an effect on the marine environment 

Marine Plan for Northern Ireland  

Northern Ireland Marine planning 

Northern Ireland Blue Carbon Action Plan 2025 – 2030