Protection of marine biodiversity
The marine environment supports a unique and distinct collection of species and habitats ranging from cold-water coral reefs to muddy estuaries, dolphins to colourful sea anemones. To protect these features, UK nature conservation policy has been based on an approach of providing protection to species and habitats considered under threat or in decline. As our understanding of marine biodiversity improves, our management approaches will change. We have developed policies to protect threatened species and communities, and the functioning of our marine ecosystems. Together this will help to ensure our marine biodiversity is resilient and diverse.
A Review of Marine Nature Conservation was undertaken to investigate and provide recommendations for improving protection for marine habitats and species in the UK maritime area. Recommendations were published in 2004.
In 2005, the four administrations published 'Safeguarding Sea Life', a joint UK response to the Review of Marine Nature Conservation. The response sets out our shared policies for marine biodiversity in the context of our shared approach to sustainable development.
Adopting this ecosystem approach will allow us to make the best use of the resources and opportunities offered by the marine environment while protecting the important ecological processes and ecosystems on which they rely.
Ways in which biodiversity can be protected include:
- Voluntary methods (ie. codes of conduct)
- Area based protection (ie. Marine Protected Areas)
- Species protection measures
- Sectoral (ie. licensing and consents). See Marine Consents and Environment Unit
The protection of marine biodiversity has been given through a number of international conventions, European obligations and national local commitments. Including:
- World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- EC Habitats Directive (Conservation Regulations and Offshore Regulation)
- EC Birds Directive
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill (NERC)
- Oslo-Paris Convention for Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR)
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
In the UK, marine biodiversity is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 and Habitats Regulations. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) together form a network of Natura 2000 sites to protect habitats and species of European importance. The WCA contains a list of marine habitats and species afforded protection. As part of delivery our commitments to the 1992 CBD Biodiversity Action Plans have also been produced.
Page last modified: 4 April 2008