MMO Statement 24 February 2021

  • The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is investigating actions by Greenpeace after its vessel MV Esperanza appeared to drop a number of boulders on to the seabed in the United Kingdom's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

  • As the regulator for England's seas, MMO places very high priority on the environmental protection of our seas and the safety of those using them.

  • To assist the safe conduct of vessels in this area off the south coast, we are advising of the approximate positions of the boulders as listed below.

  • The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MACAA) includes a requirement that the deposit of any object in the UK's EEZ from a vessel must have a marine licence from MMO before any deposits take place.

  • MMO expects organisations with environmental protection aims to act within the rules designed to protect our marine environment, and to work with MMO and other stakeholders to ensure the environmental protections that the MACAA puts in place are followed.

  • MMO continues to monitor all activity within English waters. Any unlawful action will be handled in line with our published compliance and enforcement strategy.

  • To assist vessels' safe navigation, MMO understands that there are 17 boulders in the following locations, based on communication from Greenpeace, and 2 based on other information:

    Lat NLong W
    50 15.37000 31.69
    50 15.40000 31.16
    50 15.88000 27.86
    50 16.67000 23.24
    50 17.34000 18.34
    50 13.96000 32.29
    50 14.33000 29.64
    50 14.75000 27.04
    50 15.62000 21.17
    50 16.07000 18.09
    50 13.00000 30.82
    50 13.47000 27.53
    50 14.00000 23.77
    50 14.45000 20.66
    50 14.85000 17.81
    50 11.69000 32.27
    50 12.30000 27.816
    50 13.02000 22.761
    50 13.73000 15.58

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