Summary and Background Part 5: Nature Conservation Byelaws for protection of MCZs etc: England Section 131: Emergency byelaws
373.This section enables the MMO to make byelaws (under section 129) urgently, without having to comply with the usual consultation and publication requirements and without confirmation by the Secretary of State. This is only permitted where the MMO considers there to be an urgent need to protect an MCZ.
374.A notice that the emergency byelaw has been made must be published (subsection (3)). Those likely to be affected may then make representations to the Secretary of State – who has the power to revoke an emergency byelaw.
375.The MMO must keep the emergency byelaw under review. Under subsection (2), emergency byelaws remain in force for a maximum of 12 months (although they may be extended by up to a further six months by the MMO (subsections (7) to (9)).