Identifying where existing Environmental Impact Assessments/Habitats Regulations Assessments (EIAs/HRAs) and monitoring can/should inform new assessments and licensing conditions

Environmental mitigation measures/restrictions (i.e. licence conditions) are imposed by the MMO on almost every marine licence that is issued, some of which can place significant financial burdens on industry or impose restrictions which delay or deter development. Since vesting in 2010 the MMO has amassed a significant volume of information through delivery of its marine licensing functions. To date there has been limited stocktake and review of this evidence to better inform future decisions. It is therefore timely to conduct this review and contribute further to implementing the policies of proportionate licensing and better regulation whilst continuing to have regard to the need to protect the environment, human health, and to prevent interference with legitimate uses of the sea (and such other matters as thought relevant. In addition, increasing the evidence base on the use of mitigation measures/restrictions will have the following impacts: • Providing appropriate protection for sensitive habitats and species; • Decreasing reliance on the precautionary principle where evidence to date has been lacking; • Helping to ensure that mitigation measures / restrictions are necessary and effective; • Facilitating proportionate evidence requests; • Improving relationships with customers by increasing transparency in the decision making process; and • Improving access to existing data.

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