MMO Approves Second Subsea Cable Removal From Yorkshire Coast
By Oliver McBride, The Fishing Daily
October 13, 2025
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has highlighted the growing role of marine licences in supporting sustainable coastal development, environmental restoration and the responsible removal of obsolete subsea infrastructure.
Among recent approvals is a licence granted to Eunetworks Fiber UK Limited for the removal of a disused telecommunications cable from the seabed off North Yorkshire – only the second such operation to receive approval in UK territorial waters.
28 Kilometres of Redundant Cable to Be Removed
The project involves recovering 28.2 kilometres of the Tycom Global Networks subsea cable, which runs from Hunmanby Gap to the 12 nautical mile limit. The removal is a condition of a lease agreement with The Crown Estate, which requires the cable owner to remove redundant infrastructure once it is no longer operational.
The MMO said the initiative demonstrates how marine licensing can be used to balance environmental protection with responsible development. Beyond the ecological benefit of removing disused seabed materials, the recovered cable holds commercial value and is expected to be recycled once brought ashore.
Safeguarding Fishing Grounds
Drawing on lessons from the first cable removal licence, the MMO’s Marine Licensing team provided detailed pre-application guidance to the company before approval was granted. A key consideration throughout the process was the potential impact on local fishermen using static gear close to the cable route.
The MMO worked with the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) to identify areas of potential conflict and ensure that the recovery operation would avoid unnecessary disruption to fishing activities.
According to the MMO, the engagement process ensured that concerns from the fishing sector were heard and mitigated in advance, establishing a model for future infrastructure-removal projects.
Marine Licensing in Wider Context
Marine licences issued by the MMO cover a broad range of activities, from port and marina expansion to habitat restoration and coastal defence. Each project is assessed under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to ensure environmental compliance and to balance development needs with the interests of coastal users, including fishermen.
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