Marine licensing and consent

Overview

There are a number of different types of licensing and consenting requirements within the marine environment. Licensing and consenting is an important way of permitting activity whilst protecting:

  • the environment
  • legitimate uses of the sea
  • human health

Actions

We administer various functions for projects and activities in Scottish waters on behalf of Scottish ministers, including:

  • seal licensing, including how to apply for a license and information on records of licenses issued
  • the marine licensing and consent process, including licensing, including approvals and consent, administering applications, European Protected Species and basking shark licensing, and the determination process

Background

See our privacy notice with further information on how we use your data.

Bills and legislation

We are the regulator responsible for determining marine licence applications on behalf of the Scottish ministers in the Scottish inshore region (between 0 and 12 nautical miles) under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and in the Scottish offshore region (between 12 and 200 nautical miles) under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Contact

Applications for marine licences and EPS/basking shark licences (not connected with a renewable energy project) and any queries in relation to marine licensing should be sent to the following:

Email: ms.marinelicensing@gov.scot

Tel: +44 (0)300 244 5046

Marine Scotland - Licensing Operations Team
Marine Scotland
375 Victoria Road
Aberdeen
AB11 9DB

Applications for section 36 consent, safety zone declaration, marine licences (for renewable energy projects) and EPS/basking shark licence (in relation to renewable energy projects) and any queries in relation to consenting and licensing of offshore renewable energy projects should be sent to the below:

Email: MS.MarineRenewables@gov.scot

Tel: +44 (0)300 244 5046

Post:
Marine Scotland - Licensing Operations Team
Marine Scotland
375 Victoria Road
Aberdeen
AB11 9DB

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