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, our understanding based on radio communication from Greenpeace is that there are boulders in the following approximate locations:

Lat N

Long W

50 15.88

000 27.86

50 16.67

000 23.24

50 17.34

000 18.34

50 13.96

000 32.29

50 14.33

000 29.64

50 14.75

000 27.04

50 15.62

000 21.17

50 16.07

000 18.09

50 13.00

000 30.82

50 13.47

000 27.53

50 14.00

000 23.77

50 14.45

000 20.66

50 14.85

000 17.81

For more information contact MMO: media@marinemanagement.org.uk