1. Permit View on Statement 1: Decision-making
UK Govt policy objectives include: overarching goal of a better quality of life for all through the sustainable development of the marine environment.
Decisions made within frameworks of:
Domestic controls, EU law and International obligations
Protection of the marine environment
Decision-making is overcomplicated, complex, confusing !
Different industries controlled in different ways under different legislation, Developed piecemeal of number of years
UK Govt committed to better regulation includes legislative and administrative simplification
Marine Bill, reform of licensing, regulators work together towards more holistic long term approach, transparent, faster & more efficient licensing.
Decision-making & taking
10 yrs from project-initiative to permit ! Atypical
Engaging stakeholders and regulators

2. Permit View on Statement 2: Monitoring
Environmental monitoring is vital
Test conclusions and predictions made in ES and establish actual impacts of a project
Ensure compliance with licence conditions
There is a Danger!
Monitoring ‘done for the sake of it’
Standard list of monitoring
Monitoring needs:
Clear purpose, case by case, appropriate
Targeted, development of testable hypothesis and a sampling design to test them.
Review and Feedback
Information gained should be used to assess and modify management actions
Inform future management decisions
Project operations and licence review, relax or remove conditions or strengthen them