Marine Special Protection Areas in the UK

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are special sites designated under the EU Birds Directive to protect rare, vulnerable and migratory birds. The Directive came into force in April 1979. Marine SPAs protect and manage areas that these birds use for breeding, feeding, wintering or migration. Marine SPAs are also known as European Marine Sites (EMS) and form part of the European network of Natura 2000 sites.

Marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in the UK

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are special sites designated under the EC Habitats Directive for habitats and species listed in Annex I and II of the Directive, which came into force in May 1992. The qualifying marine habitats and species for SACs with marine components are listed on the JNCC website. Marine SACs are also known as European Marine Sites (EMS) and form part of the European network of Natura 2000 sites.  

Around 14% of the UK’s marine area has SAC designation, through 105 sites, 80 of which are in inshore waters, 16 in offshore waters and nine in both inshore and offshore waters¹. To view the sites in more detail see the JNCC interactive map. 

Criteria for marine SAC selection is contained within the Habitats Directive and EC Guidance on implementation of the Natura 2000 network in the marine environment. Candidate SAC sites are submitted to the EU for approval before being designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). The UK Government then has six years to designate the site as an SAC. 

Explanation of site status:

• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are sites that have been adopted by the European Commission and formally designated by the government of each country in whose territory the site lies. 
• Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) are sites that have been adopted by the European Commission but not yet formally designated by the government of each country. 
• Candidate SACs (cSACs) are sites that have been submitted to the European Commission, but not yet formally adopted. 
• Possible SACs (pSACs) are sites that have been formally advised to UK Government, but not yet submitted to the European Commission.   
• Draft SACs (dSACs) are areas that have been formally advised to UK government as suitable for selection as SACs, but have not been formally approved by government as sites for public consultation.   

The SAC network for marine habitats is now thought to be substantially complete, while sites for offshore species are still under consideration. The UK received a Letter of Formal Notice (dated 20 June 2013) from the European Commission, which outlined their concern about a lack of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for harbour porpoise in the UK under the EU Habitats Directive. In 2016 consultations were held for Harbour Porpoise SACs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a consultation report was submitted to Governments by the JNCC and relevant Country Nature Conservation Bodies on 28th September 2016. The five sites shown in the figure above have been approved by UK Government and were submitted to the European Commission for approval in January 2017. Hence, they are now classified as cSACs. 

SAC Management

Entirely intertidal SAC sites can be managed under SSSI/ASSI mechanism, as most EMS (whole, or part, of a SAC or SPA) are also designated as SSSIs/ASSIs. The relevant conservation agency provide management views and a list of operations that require consent. Most subtidal EMS are managed under the Habitats Regulations 2017 or Offshore Habitats Regulations 2017. Management schemes are optional, but the relevant nature conservation body is required to communicate the conservation objectives for the site, and must also advise of operations which may cause deterioration or disturbance of the feature for which the site has been designated. Not all marine SACs have special management schemes - they are only set up where there is a need for them, which generally means where there are a lot of different users of a site². Draft advice on activities in the Harbour Porpoise pSACs suggests adherence to wildlife codes of conduct for recreational boaters as the only form of management. For further information on site-specific management for SACs, look at the MMO strategic management table. 

For more information on SAC management, see the JNCC and NatureScot websites. 

England

There are 39 SACs in English waters, including five cross-border sites, four that straddle the inshore and offshore regions, and five entirely offshore sites. 

In 2016 consultations were held for Harbour Porpoise SACs in England, including the Bristol Channel pSAC with an area of 5,851 km², and Southern North Sea pSAC with an area of 36,958 km². A consultation report was submitted to Governments by the JNCC and relevant Country Nature Conservation Bodies on 28th September 2016. Draft advice on activities in the Bristol Channel pSAC and Southern North Sea pSAC suggested adherence to wildlife codes of conduct for recreational boaters. In January 2017 both sites became candidate SACs (cSACs) as they have been approved by the UK Government and submitted to the European Commission for approval.

Wales

There are 15 SACs with marine components in Welsh waters, including four cross-border sites, three that straddle the inshore and offshore regions, and one entirely offshore site. 

In 2016 consultations were held for Harbour Porpoise SACs in Wales (see here),including the Bristol Channel Approaches / Dynesfeydd Môr Hafren pSAC with an area of 5,851km² (a cross-border site with England), West Wales Marine / Gorllewin Cymru Forol with pSAC an area of 7,377km², and North Anglesey Marine / Gogledd Môn Forol pSAC with an area of 3,235km². A consultation report was submitted to Governments by the JNCC and relevant Country Nature Conservation Bodies on 28th September 2016. Draft advice on activities in the North Anglesey Marine pSAC, West Wales Marine pSAC, and Bristol Channel Approaches pSAC suggested adherence to wildlife codes of conduct for recreational boaters. 

In January 2017 these sites became candidate SACs (cSACs) as they have been approved by the UK Government and submitted to the European Commission for approval. 

Scotland

The EU Habitats Directive has been transposed into Scottish law through the Habitats Regulations. There are 48 marine Special Areas of Conservation(SACs) in Scotland, including two cross-border sites, two that straddle the inshore and offshore regions, and nine entirely offshore sites. 

The Inner Hebrides and Minches SAC for harbour porpoise was designated on 22 September 2016, following the consultation that ended in May 2016. Covering over 13,800km², it is the largest protected area in Europe for harbour porpoise, and protects over 5,000 individuals³. 

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland designation of SACs with Marine Components is carried out jointly by DAERA Marine and Fisheries Division, and NIEA Natural Environment Division. 

There are nine SACs with marine components in Northern Irish waters, including one cross-border site, one site straddling the inshore and offshore regions, and one offshore site. Sites include Murlough SAC, North Antrim Coast SAC, Rathlin Island SAC, Red Bay SCI, Skerries and Causeway SCI, Strangford Lough SAC, and The Maidens SCI, with further information available on the DAERA website. In intertidal areas and estuaries, marine SACs are often underpinned as ASSIs. 

The 2016 consultations on harbour porpoise cSACs, led by JNCC, included the North Channel pSAC (see here and here), with an area of 1,604 km². The consultation report was submitted to Government on 28th September 2016. Draft advice on activities in the North Channel pSAC suggested adherence to wildlife codes of conduct for recreational boaters. In January 2017 this site became a candidate SAC (cSAC) as it has been approved by the UK Government and submitted to the European Commission for approval. 

[1] http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1445 

[2] http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/international-designations/sac/marine-sac-management/ 

[3] http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/2016-harbour-porpoise-consultation/  

Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in the UK

“Marine Conservation Zones are areas that protect a range of nationally important, rare or threatened habitats and species”¹.

Under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009,government is required to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to protect nationally representative habitats and species. This includes designation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), known as Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs) in Scotland, to complement other types of MPAs. 

Unlike other designations, economic and social implications can be considered when determining MCZs. There is therefore a balance between conservation and socio-economic factors. As well as nature conservation interests, the interests of the users of the sea may be taken into consideration. 

Designation of MCZs follows different processes in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are responsible for designating MCZs in English inshore waters (up to 12nm offshore) and those in English and Northern Irish offshore waters, with projects led by the Joint Nature Conservation Commission (JNCC) and Natural England. The Welsh Government are responsible for MCZ designations in Welsh inshore waters, and those in Welsh offshore waters will soon also be devolved to them. Advice is provided by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and JNCC. Marine Scotland lead the designation process of NCMPAs in Scottish waters on behalf of the Scottish Government, and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) is responsible for MCZ designations in Northern Irish inshore waters. 

Analysis was undertaken on a biogeographical basis, from regions identified during the ‘Review of Marine Nature Conservation’ in 2004, to ascertain gaps within the existing MPA network to ensure representation of the full range of habitats and species.

An interactive MCZ map is available on the JNCC and MMO websites.

MCZ Management 

For most MCZs, current management relating to activities such as recreational boating consists of monitoring. The MMO is, however, now (2021) examining the management of Non-Licensable Activities within MCZs, including recreational boating. For further information onsite-specific management, look at the MMO strategic management table. 

RYA Involvement 

The RYA fought hard to ensure the importance of socio-economic activities could be taken into consideration in the designation of MCZs during the Marine and Coastal Access Bill process. 

The RYA has been involved in all four of the English Regional Stakeholder Groups (RSG) and continues to work with stakeholders and Defra. RYA Northern Ireland, RYA Scotland and RYA Cymru Wales are engaging directly with the MPA process in their respective countries with support from RYA HQ. 

The RYA's primary objectives of engaging in the MCZ consultation process are to protect the public right of navigation and to ensure, as far as possible, that recreational boating interests are not adversely affected by the designation of such MCZs. The RYA wants to minimise the impact of management measures introduced in MCZs on recreational boating.

England

Proposals for MCZs in English inshore and English, Welsh and Northern Irish offshore waters were identified and recommended by Natural England (NE) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) through the Marine Conservation Zone Project, set up in 2008.

Possible sites for MCZs were initially recommended through a stakeholder-led approach, under four regional projects: Irish Sea Conservation Zones, Finding Sanctuary (South West), Balanced Seas (South East) and Net Gain (North Sea). Recommendations for 127 MCZ locations were made in September 2011, but due to limitations in the scientific evidence base, it was decided to designate MCZs in tranches. 

Tranche 1

Advice was provided to Defra by NE for inshore sites (within or straddling the 12nm limit) and JNCC for offshore sites. After a formal consultation from December 2012 to March 2013, with 40,000 responses, 27 MCZs were designated in November 2013 (including 6 offshore), covering 9,700 km² of seabed. 

Tranche 2

A further 23 MCZs (including seven offshore sites) were designated by Defra in January 2016 after pre-consultation advice by NE and JNCC, and a public consultation between January and April 2015, to which there were over 9,000 responses. These MCZs, selected to fill the ‘big gaps’ in the network² protect 10,760 km² of seabed, and brought MCZ coverage of English waters to over 20,000 km², an area nearly the size of Wales. 

Tranche 3

A third tranche of 41 sites (and 12 additional features of existing sites) was designated in May 2019. This tranche completed the English component of the UK's contribution to a network of marine protected areas in the north east Atlantic.

RYA Involvement

The RYA has been involved in the MCZ process since stakeholder engagement began in 2009. The RYA submitted a detailed and robust response to the public consultation on both the first and second tranche of MCZs. In addition, we gathered new socio-economic data though our clubs and regions, and submitted this in response to Defra's call for additional stakeholder evidence. The RYA continues to be involved in the consultation process on the third tranche.

Wales

In Welsh inshore waters the MCZ Project Wales was set up to identify Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). Initially, the Welsh Government planned to designate Highly Protected Marine Conservation Zones (HPMCZs), likely to have strong conservation management measures. However, after huge controversy following the public consultation on ten such sites in 2012, plans were withdrawn.  

In July 2013 Alun Davies AM, then WG Minister for Natural Resources and Food, released a statement on MCZs and other types of existing marine protected areas (MPAs) in Wales. Following this, an assessment by JNCC and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and subsequent 2016 report, identified some gaps in the existing Welsh MPA network, particularly in waters deeper than 75m. 

In December 2014, Skomer, an existing Marine Nature Reserve, was designated as the first MCZ in Welsh territorial waters. 

Designations of offshore sites in Wales will now also be devolved to the Welsh Government. Recommended MCZ sites previously included Celtic Deep, East of Celtic Deep, Mid St George’s Channel, North of Celtic Deep, and North St George’s Channel. 

RYA Involvement

The RYA has been working with Welsh Government (WG) about its plans for MCZs for some time, and together with the RYA Cymru Wales, is well placed to represent the views of recreational boaters in these discussions. As well as meeting with WG directly, the RYA is a member of the Wales Marine Action and Advisory Group (formerly Welsh Marine Strategic Advisory Group), ensuring the interests of recreational boaters are represented. The working group represents users including industry and recreational sectors. 

Scotland

Scotland can designate Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (for territorial waters), and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (for sites further offshore). The Scottish MPA Project is an initiative between Marine Scotland, the Joint Nature Conservancy Committee (JNCC), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Historic Scotland, and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). 

SNH and JNCC worked together to compile a list of habitats, species and geological features that need to be protected; known as MPA search features. A gap analysis then identified which MPA search features were poorly represented in the network. In November 2012,SNH and JNCC submitted formal advice on their recommendations for MPAs. National stakeholder workshops were held, along with meetings with stakeholder representatives and marine user groups. A formal consultation was held between July and November 2013, with over 14,000 responses. 

In July 2014 30 new Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs) were designated, 17 in territorial waters, and 13 further offshore, in total covering 10% of Scottish seas. 

SNH submitted formal advice for a second tranche of proposed NCMPAs in July 2014. If designated, the additional four NCMPAs will “protect important areas on Scotland's west coast for basking sharks, minke whales and Risso's dolphins as well as protecting seabed habitats around the Shiants”³.

A report was published in 2015 assessing the adequacies of the Scottish MPA network in covering the MPA search features, which identified most features to have adequate coverage, provided the four proposed NCMPAs are designated. 

For further information on Scottish MPAs, including an interactive map, see the NatureScot website.

Management 

In order to conserve protected features, some MPAs and SACs in Scotland have management measures implemented, which mainly relate to fisheries. The two-phase approach to determine management measures for the 17 inshore MPAs and 22 SACs started in 2014 with a series of regional stakeholder management workshops. The aim was to “develop practical and proportionate management approaches that achieve the conservation objectives without unnecessarily hindering economic activity”⁴. A public consultation followed from November 2014 to February 2015, with results published in the consultation analysis document. 

After breaches of voluntary arrangements at two sites, statutory management provisions have been introduced. Management for four of the sites are implemented using Marine Conservation Orders under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, while management of the others are implemented by an Inshore Fisheries Order under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984. The Omnibus Fisheries Order, and the Luce Bay Fisheries Order were laid at the end of 2015. Draft Marine Conservation Orders (MCOs) for were consulted on in 2015. South Arran MCO came into effect in February2015, followed by Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura MCO and Wester Ross MCO in March 2016. The MCO for Small Isles MPA is still in draft form. Management measures to these sites relate to fisheries. Further information is available from Marine Scotland. 

RYA Involvement

RYA Scotland has developed a close working relationship with Marine Scotland (the body leading the MPA process on behalf of the Scottish Government) and Scottish Natural Heritage. The views of the RYA and RYAS were taken into consideration throughout the Scottish MPA process. RYA Scotland has also worked with other marine recreation organisations in the Scottish Boating Alliance, and with the associated cross-party Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism group of Ministers of Scottish Parliament. There has been much stakeholder involvement in the process, including workshops. 

Many of the MPAs are in water that is much too deep to affect recreational sailors and in other areas the features being protected are not affected by recreational craft. Work has been undertaken with SNH to identify habitats that might be at risk from anchoring, with few areas, if any, where anchoring is a real risk to sensitive habitats. Loch Creran has already provided a good example of how to protect vulnerable habitats without adversely affecting boating. 

Northern Ireland

In September 2013 The Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 was enacted which makes provisions for MCZs in Northern Irish territorial waters, under the responsibility of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). 

Strangford Lough, an existing Marine Nature Reserve, was designated as Northern Ireland's first Marine Conservation Zone in 2013. A consultation on a further four proposed MCZs (Rathlin, Waterfoot, Outer Belfast Lough and Carlingford Lough) closed on 11 March 2016, with a synopsis of responses available from DAERA. All four sites were formally designated in December 2016. 

DAERA also plan to undertake a network assessment in 2017 and will target future MCZ designations to filling network gaps⁵. 

RYA Involvement 

The RYA and RYANI considered the Government’s proposals and reflected the interests of affiliated clubs and members in our response to the consultation. This included raising concerns about the impact of potential management restrictions within the new MCZs on activities associated with recreational boating, particularly anchoring, mooring and vessel speed. In response, the Department said it will work closely with stakeholders to develop appropriate management measures for each MCZ post designation. Anchoring in emergency situations will not be restricted. 

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-conservation-zone-designations-in-england

[2] Defra. Marine Conservation Zones: Update. (2016).

[3] http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/marine-protected-areas-(mpa)/scottish-mpa-project/ 

[4] http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork/MPAMGT/protectedareasmgt 

[5] DAERA. Consultation on Proposed MCZs in Northern Ireland Waters: Synopsis of Consultation Responses. (2016).

Marine Ramsar Sites in the UK

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty agreed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.

Wetlands are defined as ‘areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres [and] may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands.’¹

Under the Convention, each Contracting Party must designate at least one wetland site within their territory for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance. There are 169 contracting parties, with 2,247 Ramsar sites, covering a total area of 215,051,274 ha.² 

In the UK, the first Ramsar sites were designated in 1976,with the first sites in UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies designated in 1990. Sites proposed for selection are advised by the UK statutory nature conservation agencies, along with JNCC. The UK also has a national Ramsar Committee who provide further advice. Article 2.2 of the Convention states that ‘wetlands should be selected for the List on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology.’ Further criteria are laid out on the Ramsar website. The UK currently has 149 sites covering 787,439 ha.³ 

Initial selection of sites of importance to UK waterfowl means that many Ramsar sites are also SPAs. The scope has now been broadened to cover all aspects of wetlands, recognising that wetlands are important for conservation of biodiversity. Ramsar sites may also be SSSIs, with legal protection and guidelines for management, or SACs.

The Convention emphasises that human use of wetlands on a sustainable basis is compatible with Ramsar principles and wetland conservation¹. The Convention utilises the ‘Wise Use’ principle, that ‘wise use of wetlands is the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development.’⁴

Further information on Ramsar sites can be found through nature conservation agency websites for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and sites in Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. General UK information, including site numbers and statistics are available through the JNCC.  

Ramsar Sites Management

Contracting Parties are expected to ‘manage their Ramsar Sites so as to maintain their ecological character and retain their essential functions and values for future generations.’⁵

Wise Use Guidelines emphasise the importance for Contracting Parties to: 

• adopt national wetland policies, involving a review of their existing legislation and institutional arrangements to deal with wetland matters (either as separate policy instruments or as part of national environmental action plans, national biodiversity strategies, national development plans, or other national strategic planning); 
• carry out national wetland inventories, wetland monitoring, research, training, education and public awareness; and 
• take action at wetland sites, involving the development of integrated management plans¹

[1] An Introduction to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands,7th ed. Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland, 2016. 

[2] http://www.ramsar.org/ 

[3] http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1388

[4] http://www.ramsar.org/about/the-wise-use-of-wetlands 

[5] http://www.ramsar.org/sites-countries/managing-ramsar-sites 

Marine Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Areas of Special Scientific Interest in the UK.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are designated and legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (England and Wales) and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs in Britain. Sites in Northern Ireland, designated under The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002,are known as Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs). 

SSSIs are designated as areas "of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, or geological or physio-graphical features"¹. SSSIs are primarily land-based, but some sites extend below the low water mark. It is an offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of an SSSI. 

Notice is made to the Secretary of State, local planning authorities, owners and occupiers, with any objections considered by the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Body (SNCB) before a decision to confirm the notification is made. 

Selection criteria vary between Earth Science SSSIs and Biological SSSIs. For biological sites designation is based on a set of criteria including naturalness, diversity, typicalness, size, fragility and rarity.  ASSIs have their own selection guidelines published by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Coastal ASSIs were designated after a 1980s survey of Northern Ireland’s coast and consultation with landowners and statutory bodies. 

Some activities in SSSIs/ ASSIs need consent from Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot or DAERA. For ASSIs, these are known as ‘Notifiable Operations’. The relevant SNCB will seek a way of managing the operation to prevent damage to the designated features. 

Further information on SSSIs/ASSIs can be found through the relevant SNCB for each England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.  

[1] http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2303