Marine protected areas (MPA) describes a wide range of marine areas which have some level of restriction to protect living, non-living, cultural, and/or historic resources. In the UK, MPAs have primarily been set up to help conserve marine biodiversity, in particular species and habitats of European and national importance.

The main types of MPA in the UK are Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for habitats of European importance, Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds (also know at Natura 2000, or N2K sites), and Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) for nationally important habitats and species.

Latest news

• 22 March 2012 – Habitats and Wild Birds Directives Implementation Review report published.  Learn more about the review or read the report.

What are MPAs?

MPAs are one management tool which can:

• protect areas of threatened species and habitats to help ensure biodiversity is not lost as a result of widespread damaging activities;
• protect areas of representative species and habitats to help ensure that they do not become threatened as a result of human activities; and
• provide some relatively unaffected areas of high biodiversity value to support the structure and functioning of the wider marine ecosystem.

MPAs have been used for fisheries management and for nature conservation, but they can also be established to provide multiple benefits.

How are MPAs designated?

A range of legislative measures are in place to protect important marine species and habitats.

European Marine Sites designated under the EC Habitats and Birds Directives

The Habitats Directive requires the creation of a network of marine protected areas known as  ‘Natura 2000′. This network consists of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to protect habitats and species listed under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) to protect wild birds as set out under the Birds Directive.

In August 2007, the Offshore Marine Conservation Regulations 2007 came in to force, which transpose the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive in offshore waters (beyond 12 nautical miles/territorial waters).

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 transpose the Habitats Directive into domestic legislation in England and Wales, including their territorial seas out to 12 nautical miles. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regulations which cover the territorial seas adjacent to Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Marine Conservation Zones designated under national legislation

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 allows the designation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) – a new type of marine protected area. These replace Marine Nature Reserves in England (designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Lundy Marine Nature Reserve has become the first Marine Conservation Zone in English waters.

UK marine biodiversity policy steering group

The UK Marine Biodiversity Policy Steering Group (UKMBPSG) is comprised of UK Government Departments and Devolved Administrations, as well as the UK statutory nature conservation bodies (Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage, Joint Nature Conservation Committee) and other governmental bodies. The purpose of the Steering Group is to disseminate and discuss developments in marine biodiversity policy and implementation.

• Read the terms of reference (PDF)
• Notes of the meetings are available on request, by emailing: marinebiodiversity@defra.gsi.gov.uk