Marine SAC Selection Process and Guidance
SACs are being identified in UK waters for Annex
I Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the
time, Reefs, Submarine structures made by leaking
gases and Submerged and partially submerged sea
caves. Marine SACs are selected on the basis of
the selection criteria contained within the
Habitats Directive
Annex III, and
EC Guidance on implementation of the Natura 2000 network in
the marine environment. It takes several years for an area to progress from being
an Area of Search to being submitted to Europe and becoming a
candidate SAC.
SAC Selection Methodology
In 1997 JNCC and the country conservation agencies developed
detailed guidelines on the practical
application of the Annex III selection criteria on land
and in coastal areas. Since then additional guidance has been
produced on the application of
Annex III selection criteria in waters away from the
coast. SACs and their boundaries are selected on a
scientific basis only and socio-economic factors cannot be
taken into account (Case
C-371/98).
The Annex III selection criteria for habitats
are:
- The degree of representativity of the natural
habitat type on the site.
- The area of the site covered by the natural habitat
type in relation to the total area covered by that natural
habitat type within the national territory.
- Degree of conservation of the structure and
functions of the natural habitat type concerned and
restoration possibilities.
- Global assessment.
Boundary Delineation around SACs
SAC boundaries are drawn to be as
simple in
shape as possible, whilst
enclosing the minimum
area of non-Annex I habitat possible. These
boundary guidelines
were
amended in 2008, in light of responses
received from the
2007-2008 public consultation on the
selection of the first seven offshore SACs.