About

Since establishment, on the 17 July 2023, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) acts as custodian and regulator of Ireland’s maritime area.

The establishment of MARA represented  one of the most important maritime governance reforms in the history of the Irish State. It marked a significant milestone in Ireland’s efforts to establish a robust, transparent and fit-for-purpose system for the governance of Ireland’s vast and diverse maritime area.

As an independent regulatory agency, MARA is tasked with implementing the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021, as amended – a transformative piece of legislation that places sustainable marine planning and development at the heart of national policy.