European Marine Sites


European Marine Sites are areas at sea, partly or completely covered by tidal water, which are protected by European law for their special wildlife and natural habitats.


These include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), both of which play a key role in conservation by providing refuges for nationally threatened habitats and species. These sites form an integral part of the UK's network of Marine Protected Areas.

SACs are designated under the European Union's Habitats Directive. They protect specific species and habitats and each site will have conservation objectives to describe what is important for achieving a healthy state for each of the features protected.

SPAs are designated under the European Union's Birds Directive. These sites have been identified as areas of importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or migration of birds found within EU countries which are classified as rare or vulnerable.

European Marine Sites in Sussex:


Solent Maritime SAC
This area includes areas of sea grass and also encompasses important estuarine and salt marsh habitats.

Chichester Harbour SPA
This area has been designated for a number of breeding, wintering and migratory birds, including the Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Dark-bellied Brent Goose. The area incorporates extensive mud-flats and sea grass beds, as well as a wide range of other coastal habitats which support important animals and plants.

Pagham Harbour SPA
The harbour includes a number of coastal habitats, including salt marsh, mud flats, lagoons and shingle which support breeding and wintering birds. The designation covers the Little Tern, Ruff and Pintail.

Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay SPA
This large area encompasses a range of coastal habitats and sits on the boarder of East Sussex and Kent. The shingle beach at Rye Harbour supports breeding gulls and terns; the SPA also includes areas of salt marsh, sand flats and mud flats.

Dungeness to Pett Levels SAC
Annual vegetation of drift lines and perrenial vegetation of stony banks are the habitats giving the primary reason for selection of this site as an SAC.

Defra's Revised Approach to Fisheries in European Marine Sites:


In 2012 Defra issued a revision to its approach to fisheries in European Marine Sites in the inshore waters of England in order to afford protection to the habitats and species - this is in line with our obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. The revision stated that any fishery operating within a European Marine Site would only be allowed to continue if it did not negatively impact the features of the site.

This revised approach is being phased in on a risk-prioritised basis. Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) are working to ensure that this transition is carried out. You can find out more about their work here.

Time Δ Debug Message - Perch Runway 3.2
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