SACs with marine components

Special Areas of Conservation may be designated for habitats or species of conservation importance (listed in Annex I and Annex II to the Habitats Directive) in terrestrial, coastal and marine areas.

SACs with marine components are those which contain qualifying marine habitats and/or qualifying marine species. A map of the 76 SACs with marine components in the UK and a list of their marine interest features are available.  GIS users may also download GIS boundary data for SACs with marine components.

 

The majority of existing SACs with marine components are coastal; a further phase of site selection is underway to select marine sites beyond coastal waters, with JNCC leading on the selection of sites within the UK offshore area (beyond 12nm of the coast). The identification of SACs which are fully detached from the coast but lie in territorial waters remains with the relevant country conservation agency (Natural England (formally English Nature), Environment and Heritage Service (Northern Ireland), Scottish Natural Heritage & the Countryside Council for Wales). Figure 1 (right) shows areas of responsibility for SAC identification within the UK (click on image to enlarge).

 

SACs are being identified for marine habitats away from the coast, and may be identified for marine species away from the coast. All marine Natura 2000 work is co-ordinated through the Marine Natura 2000 Project Group, an inter-agency working group chaired by Professor Lynda Warren (independent member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee). This Project Group reports to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and works to ensure that marine SAC identification is consistent with that which has already been undertaken to designate Natura 2000 sites in the coastal and terrestrial environment.