A Practical Guide to Marine Mammal Law in the UK

A Practical Guide to Marine Mammal Law in the UK is the first dedicated legal reference focussed exclusively on marine mammals in UK waters. Covering cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and pinnipeds (seals and walrus), this book consolidates a fragmented and complex body of law into one clear, structured and accessible resource for legal professionals and those working at the intersection of law and the marine environment.

The legal regimes relevant to marine mammals span wildlife legislation, fisheries regulations, environmental assessment frameworks and marine licensing regimes. These are further complicated by layers of devolved governance, assimilated EU law and differing interpretations across jurisdictions. This book explains how these frameworks operate in practice, identifies areas of overlap and ambiguity and recognises the challenges of applying general legal instruments to highly mobile species with specific ecological behaviours and requirements.

Each chapter is anchored in statutory provisions and focuses on key legal themes, including offences, disturbance, fisheries interactions, marine protected areas and captivity. The book does not advocate but seeks to inform - offering legal clarity and context to support practical navigation through this increasingly important field.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter Two - Understanding Offences Against Marine Mammals: Navigating a Fragmented Legal Framework

Chapter Three - Protected Sites for Marine Mammals

Chapter Four - The Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Process and Marine Mammals

Chapter Five - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Marine Mammals

Chapter Six - Comparing HRA and EIA in the Context of Marine Mammals

Chapter Seven - The Legal Landscape of Marine Mammal Disturbance: Challenges and Interpretations

Chapter Eight - Legal Frameworks for Marine Mammal Bycatch and Entanglement

Chapter Nine - Captivity, Capture and Welfare

Chapter Ten - The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Report: A Call for Legislative Reform

Chapter Eleven - Reflections and Future Directions: Addressing Calls for Marine Mammal Protection Reform