What protected sites already exist?

• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) – designated for a narrow range of habitats and species protected by European law.
• Special Protection Areas (SPAs) – designated for birds, as required by law under the European Wild Birds Directive.
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest – designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, to protect nationally important species,habitats and geological features.

 Illustration showing currently protected sites: (full factsheet can be downloaded from here)

Why is current protection not enough?

Our existing MPA network consists of over 150 sites (see illustration). So why is marine life still declining? The SACs and SPAs only protect a few kinds of habitats and species listed in European legislation, meaning the majority of our UK wildlife remains unprotected. Meanwhile, by law the Sites of Special Scientific Interest can only protect wildlife on the shore, and cannot extend into deeper water. A new approach is urgently needed.

Click here to find out what new sites are going to be created.