Special Protection Areas

| Introduction to SPAs
| Background to SPAs
| Details of SPAs
| Marine SPAs
| Management of SPAs
| Habitats and Birds Directives Information |

Marine SPAs

Classification of SPAs in the UK has so far been limited to the terrestrial environment, including intertidal areas extending down to Mean Low Water Springs. This means that breeding marine birds are partially protected by the designation of breeding colony sites, but there is currently no protection of important feeding areas in either inshore or offshore waters. In addition, inshore areas used by certain birds in the non-breeding season are not included in the current SPA network. The scope of the ongoing programme of work in the UK is therefore focussed on the development of three types of marine SPA (for both inshore and offshore waters):

Extensions to SPA breeding colonies
Inshore areas used by birds in the non-breeding seasons (divers, grebes & seaduck)
Marine feeding areas

More information on the development of marine SPAs can be found on the JNCC website.