[3] The MMO exists to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in the marine area, and to promote the UK government's vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas.

The aim is to ensure a sustainable future for coastal and offshore waters through managing and balancing the many activities, resources and assets in our marine environment.

All commercial UK vessels need to be registered with the Registry of Shipping and Seamen,[9] which is based in Cardiff and part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the Department for Transport.

The MMO issues monthly catch limits for the under 10 metre[10] and the non-sector[11] and uses fishing vessel licence variations to open and close fisheries in specific sea areas.

The MMO co-ordinates an enforcement programme for monitoring, control and surveillance of all sea fishing activity within British fishery limits around the coast of England, and English vessels operating outside those waters.

The case was criticised by the presiding judge Edward Bindloss who stated "the MMO should support the prevention of any harmful deep sea fishing methods over important marine seabeds.