Natural England - England’s European marine sites

England’s European marine sites

The term ‘European marine sites’ is the collective term for Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) that are covered by tidal water and protect some of our most special marine and coastal habitats and species of European importance.

SACs contain animals, plants and habitats that are considered rare, special or threatened within Europe while SPAs protect important bird species.

European marine sites form part of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network.

England currently has 45 European marine sites. The sites stretch from the Isles of Scilly in the southwest to the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast in the north east.

The full suite of SACs and SPAs form part of the European-wide Natura 2000 network of internationally important sites.

List of England’s European marine sites

  1. Alde, Ore and Butley: 2SAC, 1SPA
  2. Benacre to Easton Bavents: 1SPA
  3. Benfleet and Southend Marshes: 1SPA
  4. Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast: 1SAC, 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  5. Braunton Burrows: 1SAC
  6. Breydon Water: 1SPA
  7. Chesil and the Fleet: 1SAC, 1SPA
  8. Coquet Island: 1SPA
  9. Deben estuary: 1SPA
  10. Dee Estuary/ Aber Dyfrdwy: 1SAC, 1SPA - Regulation 33 advice
  11. Drigg Coast: 1SAC
  12. Duddon Estuary: 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  13. Dungeness: SAC, SPA
  14. Essex Estuaries: 1SAC, 5SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  15. Exe Estuary: 1SPA
  16. Fal and Helford: 1SAC
  17. Flamborough Head: 1SAC - Management websiteexternal link
  18. Hamford Water: 1SPA
  19. Great Yarmouth and North Denes: 1SPA
  20. Humber Estuary: 1SAC, 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  21. Isle of Portland to Studland Cliffs: 1SAC
  22. Isles of Scilly Complex: 1SAC
  23. Lundy: 1SAC - Management websiteexternal link
  24. Mersey Estuary: 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  25. Minsmere-Walberswick heaths and marshes: 1SAC, 1SPA
  26. Morecambe Bay: 1SAC, 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  27. North Norfolk Coast: 1SAC
  28. Northumbria Coast: 1SPA
  29. Pagham Harbour: 1SPA
  30. Plymouth Sound and Estuaries: 1SAC, 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  31. Poole Harbour: 1SPA
  32. Ribble and Alt Estuaries: 1SPA
  33. Severn Estuary: SAC, 1SPA - Regulation 33 adviceManagement websiteexternal link
  34. Sidmouth to West Bay: 1SAC
  35. Solent and Isle of Wight Lagoons: 1SAC
  36. Solent Maritime: 1SAC, 3SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  37. Solway Firth: 1SAC, 1SPA
  38. South Wight Maritime: 1SAC - Management websiteexternal link
  39. Stour and Orwell Estuaries: 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  40. Swale & Medway: 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  41. Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast: 1SPA
  42. Thames Estuary and Marshes: 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  43. North East Kent (Thanet): 1SAC, 1SPA - Management websiteexternal link
  44. The Wash and North Norfolk Coast: 2SAC, 3SPA - Management websiteexternal link

Details refer to the number of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Areas (SPA) in each European Marine Sites (EMS)

Completing the suite of European marine sites

Some habitats and species of European importance in English waters are currently under-represented in the existing suite of SACs and SPAs. Natural England is working to identify new SACs and SPAs. Further information on these new sites and how we are consulting stakeholders about them can be viewed on the Natura 2000 page.

Managing and monitoring European marine sites

Natural England is responsible for providing conservation objectives and advice on site management for European marine sites to relevant authorities.

View the status of management of the UK’s European marine sites.external link

Monitoring by Natural England and other relevant authorities is used to check whether the site is in favourable condition.