Summary and Background Part 1: Marine Management Organisation Power to enter into agreements Section 14: Agreements between the Secretary of State and the MMO
79.This section allows the Secretary of State to enter into agreements with the MMO authorising the MMO to perform marine functions currently performed by the Secretary of State.
80.The type of functions that these agreements would cover includes work currently undertaken by the Marine and Fisheries Agency under the Common Fisheries Policy or under EU Regulations which are directly applicable in the UK.
81.Over time the MMO may need to take on new functions and this section also provides the necessary flexibility in relation to any future functions to enable Ministers to delegate these to the MMO.
82.The functions that the MMO may be authorised to perform in the context of the Act are limited to marine functions. The MMO may be authorised to carry out a particular function generally or only in specified cases or areas.
83.The existence of an agreement between the Secretary of State and the MMO does not prevent the Secretary of State continuing to exercise the function that has been delegated. The Secretary of State may cancel the agreement at any time.