FAQ & Submit a Complaint

MARA regulates activities in the maritime area from the high water mark to the outer limits
of Ireland’s EEZ and continental shelf. Coastal Planning Authorities enforce planning-related
issues within 3 nm of the shore.

The foreshore of Ireland is classed as the land and seabed between the high water of ordinary or medium tides (shown HWM on Ordnance Survey maps) and the twelve- mile limit (12 nautical miles equals approximately 22.24 kilometres). Foreshore also covers tidal areas of rivers, particularly estuaries.

• Assessing and granting Maritime Area Consents (MACs).
• Assessing and issuing Marine Usage Licences (MULs).
• Managing and enforcing Foreshore leases and licences issued under the Foreshore Act 1933.
• Ensuring compliance with conditions of planning permissions granted in the maritime area by An Bord Pleanála.
• Investigating breaches of authorisations and undertaking enforcement actions.
• Facilitating collaboration and cooperation between maritime regulators.

• Check if the alleged activity is under MARA’s remit or that of another authority.
• Check if the alleged activity already has an authorisation; a MAC or MUL or Foreshore Lease or Licence.

• Maritime Area Consents (MACS).
• Maritime Usage Licences (MULs).
• Foreshore Leases or Licences or consents under the Foreshore Act, 1933.
• Conditions of planning granted by An Bord Pleanála in the maritime area.

Visit MARA’s website and see existing authorisations.

When you make a complaint to MARA, you will be asked to give your name and contact details.

Note that:

• Your information may be needed so that you can be contacted for further information about the issued you have raised, and address it appropriately.
• Should you wish to remain anonymous, please state this on the Complaints Form that you are completing.
• If you are an employee or associated with the entity or individual you are raising the issue about, please state this on the Complaints Form.
• Your name and contact details are “personal data” and will be treated as such under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

After you have checked it is in MARA’s remit, complete the online Complaints Form and send it to compliance@mara.gov.ie. Where possible include evidence of the alleged activity.

• MARA acknowledges complaints within working 5 working days.
• MARA assesses if the complaint falls within its remit and will contact you if more information is required.
• Where the complaint is not within MARA’s remit, it is redirected to the relevant authority and MARA will inform you of the referral

For Example:

• Planning enforcement above the high water mark (Local Authority)
• Aquaculture licensing (DAFM)
• Pollution incidents (Local Authority)
• Oil Spills (Coastguard)
• Dumping at sea (EPA)

MARA refers such complaints to relevant authority and will inform you of the referral.

The harvesting and/or collection of seaweed requires a licence as detailed under the provisions of Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (‘the MAP Act’). Schedule 7 sets out the maritime usages which may be taken in the maritime area pursuant to licence and the harvesting, disturbance or removal of seaweed is expressly stated to be a licensable activity.
If it is the case that a person/company has been harvesting and/or collecting seaweed, there are certain provisions under the MAP Act that should be considered:

1. If a person/company holds an existing foreshore authorisation for the harvesting and/or collection of seaweed, it is possible for them to surrender the said authorisation and submit an application to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (“MARA”) for a Maritime Usage Licence (MUL) under section 129 of the MAP Act. MARA may request a copy of the existing authorisation. Further information on making a licence application is available here.
2. If a person/company does not hold such a foreshore authorisation for seaweed harvesting and/or collection, they may be in a position to regularise this activity under section 130 of the MAP Act. There is a timescale set out in the legislation in respect of regularising potentially unauthorised maritime usages. MARA may request evidence of the relevant person’s activity prior to August 2021. Note that applicants have until 17 July 2028 to submit an application for a MUL in respect of the said maritime usage. Further information on making a licence application is available here.
3. A person/company may hold pre-existing private rights to harvest and/or collect seaweed and, if this is the case, MARA may request evidence of such rights. Notwithstanding the existence of such pre-existing private rights, the harvesting and/or collection of seaweed still requires a licence as detailed under the provisions of Schedule 7 of the MAP Act. An application for a licence can be submitted for consideration by MARA and further information on making a licence application is available here.

For information on how MARA carries out its compliance and enforcement work visit MARA’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy.