Commentary on Sections Part 6 - Marine licensing
293.Part 6 of the Act amends Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (the 2009 Act). Part 4 of the 2009 Act establishes a marine licensing regime. Section 65 of the 2009 Act provides that licensable marine activities cannot be carried out except in accordance with a marine licence granted by the appropriate licensing authority. Section 113(4) of that Act defines the appropriate licensing authority in relation to Wales and the Welsh inshore region. For the definition of Welsh inshore region see section 322 of the 2009 Act. Except as provided by section 113(4)(a) of the 2009 Act the Welsh Ministers are the appropriate licensing authority in relation to Wales and the Welsh inshore region. Part 6 of the Act makes amendments which apply where the Welsh Ministers are the appropriate licensing authority.
294.Part 4 of the 2009 Act confers functions on the Welsh Ministers as the appropriate licensing authority. These functions include the power to grant, vary, suspend or revoke a marine licence pursuant to sections 71 and 72 of the 2009 Act. Part 6 of the Act will supplement existing charging powers at section 67 of the 2009 Act so as to enable the Welsh Ministers where they are the appropriate licensing authority, to charge fees for a broad range of applications and activities that they undertake.