Deposits in the Sea
It is a requirement of Part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 that licences must be obtained for the deposit of substances or articles, either in the sea or under the seabed within UK controlled waters. The licensing authority for deposits in the Scottish Zone of UK controlled waters is Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory (FRS-ML) with policy responsibility held by the Scottish Government Marine Directorate*.
Licences to deposit materials in the sea are only granted after a detailed scientific assessment of the potential environmental impacts has been conducted (including as required the completion of a 'Best Practicable Environmental Option' assessment). Approximately 142 new licences to deposit materials are issued annually, and mainly relate to:
- Deposit of dredged material removed from harbours and navigational channels;
- Deposit of materials in connection with marine construction works, including sewage outfall pipes and offshore wind and wave farms;
- Construction of artificial reefs; and
- Disposal of fish waste from industrial fish processing operations.
Detailed information on how to apply for a licence is available from Fisheries Research Services - Marine Laboratory.
* All oil and gas related deposits outwith 3 miles from the coastal baseline are reserved to Westminster, as are deposits falling within the subject matter of Part VI of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 both within and beyond 3 miles.