Working with the cruise sector to protect our seas
In collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Cruise Lines International Association, UK Chamber of Shipping, and Natural England we are exploring a number of options to protect Marine Protected Areas from the potential harm that can be done by sizeable vessels anchoring over sensitive features of our marine environment.
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Climate change and the loss of biodiversity due to human activity continues to threaten the sustainability of the world’s seas and oceans. England’s seas and coasts are home to 175 Marine Protected Areas, designated to protect and improve the habitats and species essential for healthy, functioning marine ecosystem.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) as the marine regulator has responsibility for managing, protecting and developing England’s seas, coasts and communities for the benefit of generations to come.
Dropping anchor at sea can cause major disturbance on the seabed potentially destroying important marine features such as seagrass, home to seahorses, shellfish and mammals.
It’s especially harmful in England’s designated Marine Protected Areas. While there is as yet no regulation preventing ships from anchoring in Marine Protected Areas, we are asking cruise operators to help protect our seas by finding an alternative anchoring or mooring location.
We know that the cruise sector prides itself on its environmental stewardship and people who take cruises expect a very high standard so the MMO would like to work with the sector to identify Marine Protected Areas and help to provide alternative anchor locations if needed.