United Kingdom

Marine Protected Areas in the United Kingdom
Around 5-6% of all UK waters are currently protected. This equates to roughly 4.1 million hectares and includes 2 no take zones: one on the Isle of Arran in Scotland, and one around Lundy in Devon, England.

With dozens of different types of conservation designations, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) works hard to preserve and enhance species and habitats of local, national, and international importance. The Government committed to the establishment of a sound network of MPAs by 2012. This network will include six different types of designation:


 * European Marine Sites: Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs);


 * Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance;


 * Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)/Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs);


 * Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs);


 * Scottish MPAs;


 * Northern Irish MPAs;

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are established under the European Commission Habitats Directive, and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are established under the European Commission Birds Directive. Together these sites form the Natura 2000 network, committed to protecting nationally and internationally important habitats and species. While these sites exist all over the UK, only those with marine components will be included in this network. These make up European Marine Sites (EMS), a subset designation to help focus on the marine component of a site, rather than the site as a whole, which would include terrestrial components. As of May 2012, there are 96 SACs with marine components and 107 SPAs with marine components.

Ramsar sites are sites designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, to protect wetlands and their inhabitants. Many Ramsar sites in the UK are designated to protect populations of bird species of international importance. It is still being determined which Ramsar sites have enough marine components to be added to the new MPA network in the UK.

SSSIs and ASSIs are high levels of protection given throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively. They are meant to designate species, habitats, or geological features of national importance. Which of these sites should be added to the new network of UK MPAs is still being worked out.

It is important to note that while the above designations already exist, a review is currently underway to determine which of the above sites have enough marine components to be considered a Marine Protected Area.

Still to be added to this network are the newly created Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), Scottish MPAs and Northern Irish MPAs. These are part of projects which all launched following passage of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) in 2009. The Marine Conservation Zone Project was established to identify MCZs/MPAs for inshore English and offshore English, Welsh, and Northern Irish waters, while the MCZ Project Wales will designate inshore Welsh MCZs. As of May 2012, 1 MCZ has been established, and 2 Marine Nature Reserves - an old designation soon to be retired, but indicating the sites which will become the next Marine Conservation Zones.

England and Wales

 * MCZs will be chosen primarily on a scientific basis, for their range of marine wildlife. The MCZ Project will be responsible for inshore and offshore waters of England, and offshore waters of Wales. MCZ Project Wales will select candidates for inshore Welsh MCZs.  The Welsh Assembly Government already plans to designate a small number of inshore MCZs, which will be highly protected, banning all activities deemed to disturb or damage the site.  England’s first MCZ has been established; it is the former Marine Nature Reserve, Lundy.  Identification of and recommendations for MCZs in inshore (within the 12 nautical mile limit) waters of England and offshore (12-200 nautical miles) waters of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are being handled by four regional groups: Finding Sanctuary covers the southwest waters; Irish Sea Conservation Zones covers the Irish Sea; Net Gain covers the North Sea; and Balanced Seas covers the southeast waters.  Defra (UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) will handle consultations for these sites.

Scotland

 * In addition to the MCAA (which covers offshore Scottish MPAs), the Marine (Scotland) Act, which received Royal Assent in 2010, will cover the identification of inshore Scottish sites.  Scottish MPAs will consist of three types of protected areas: Nature Conservation MPAs, Demonstration/Research MPAs, and Historic MPAs.  Like MCZs, a scientific approach will be the primary method to identify Scottish MPAs. However, socio-economic factors will also be considered during identification research.

Northern Ireland

 * A Northern Ireland Marine Bill is currently going through the legislative process to help clarify protection goals and designation of MPAs in Northern Ireland. As of March 6, 2012, the Marine Bill is in committee, the third of seven steps to become a law.

The countries of the UK have many other types of designations which mostly protect areas of land; these can include estuaries and other features which affect the coastline and marine waters, but are not considered to be true MPAs.

There are many areas which are closed to fishing activity, some on a seasonal basis, and others permanently. For areas that are not closed, the government still has regulations: permission must be granted, licenses obtained, and proper authorities notified prior to any fishing activity.