Management of the UK’s European Marine Sites (EMS)

 

The term 'European Marine Site' (EMS) (as defined by the Habitats Regulations) refers to those marine areas of both Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which are protected under the EC Habitats and Birds Directives. These areas range from entirely subtidal to exclusively intertidal, and vary in size from large (such as Lleyn Peninsula and the Sarnau SAC) to relatively small (such as Kenfig SAC). An EMS can be an entire SAC or SPA, or only part of one (the SAC/SPA may also include terrestrial areas). However, ‘European Marine Site’ is not a statutory site designation: these areas are essentially management units for those parts of Natura 2000 sites which extend beyond the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) /Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) designations in the UK [1]. A paper outlining the Habitats Regulations definition of European Marine Site (EMS) and the UK Conservation Agencies' approaches to the provision of conservation objectives and management advice for these sites is available from JNCC.

 

Intertidal European Marine Sites are often managed through underlying SSSI/ASSI designations[2] as they lie above the low water mark and/or within local planning authority boundaries and can therefore be managed through the same protection systems as terrestrial European sites (DETR, 1998). Conversely, most subtidal EMS will be managed through measures under the Habitats Regulations or Offshore Habitats Regulations, and adjacent European marine sites may be grouped together for the purpose of management (e.g. the Essex Estuaries EMS).

 

Establishing management schemes is optional for relevant and competent authorities under the Habitats Regulations and Offshore Habitats Regulations. The Regulations place a general duty on all statutory authorities exercising legislative powers to perform these in accordance with the Habitats Directive. A European Marine Site management scheme can be the best means to achieve this through providing a framework for management and promoting cooperative working with other relevant/competent authorities, especially on large or complex sites.

 

A spreadsheet documenting the management status of the UK’s European Marine Sites is available (updated December 2008). This spreadsheet also contains contact details/websites for each EMS (where available) so that further information may be sought from those directly involved in the management of these sites.

 

 

 

An offshore European Marine Site (as defined by the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations: 2007) is a EMS ‘located in the offshore marine area’, i.e. ‘(a) any part of the seabed and subsoil situated in any area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964; and (b) any part of the waters within British fishery limits (except the internal waters of, and the territorial sea adjacent to, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)’;

 

In the intertidal zone, two types of legal system overlap: one governing terrestrial environments, the other governing marine environments (DETR, 1998). Most intertidal European Marine Sites will also be designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) (GB) or Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) (NI)[3]. As such, the relevant authorities, landowners and occupiers and others will be notified by the appropriate conservation agency of the special interest of the SSSI or ASSI. They will also be provided with the conservation agency’s views about management and a list of operations requiring the agency’s consent. This information is considered to be equivalent to Regulation 33 advice (GB) and Regulation 28 advice (NI). To reiterate, the agencies’ conservation objectives and advice on operations for entirely intertidal European marine sites can be delivered though the SSSI/ASSI mechanism thereby fulfilling obligations under Regulation 33 (GB) and Regulation 28 (NI) of the Habitats Regulations.

 

Unlike on land where most SACs and SPAs are also notified as SSSIs/ASSIs (under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985) there was no existing legislative framework for implementing the Habitats Directive in the marine environment (DETR, 1998). Hence, the Habitats Regulations have a number of provisions specifically for responsibilities and measures in relation to European Marine Sites. In particular, Regulation 33 (GB) and Regulation 28 (NI) of the Habitats Regulations, and Regulation 18 of the Offshore Habitats Regulations requires that the appropriate nature conservation body communicate the conservation objectives for the site to the relevant/competent authorities. They must also advise the relevant/competent authorities of operations which may cause deterioration of natural habitats or the habitats of species, or disturbance of species, for which the European Marine Site has been designated.

 

DETR (1998) European Marine Sites in England & Wales:  A guide to the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 and to the Preparation and Application of Management Schemes.Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: UK

EN, SNH, EHS (DOE(NI)), CCW & JNCC (1997) Natura 2000: European Marine Sites: an introduction to management. Perth, SNH.

English Nature (2000) Essex Estuaries European marine site: English Nature’s advice given under Regulation 33(2) of the Conservation (Natural Habitat &c.) Regulations 1994. English Nature, UK.

SNH, EN, EHS(DOE(NI)), CCW, JNCC & SAMS (1998). Natura 2000: European Marine Sites: Guidance relating to statutory conservation objectives and operations that may cause deterioration or disturbance. Peterborough, EN

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