The aim of the Habitats Directive is to maintain or restore at favourable conservation status certain habitats and species which are of Community importance.

The Directive lists the natural habitat types (under Annex I) and the plant and animal species (under Annex II) whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation.

The Habitats Directive has been transposed into UK law by The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994. These regulations set out the measures that can be employed to protect sites in the marine environment. They apply to all UK sites that will be designated as Special Areas of Conservation. For extracts from The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 click here.

In June 1998 the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) published 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. This guide gives advice on the conservation management of European Marine Sites within the UK. For extracts from the DETR Guide to the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 click here.

Infringements of the Habitats Directive are dealt with by the European Commission.

For the lastest news on the Marine Bill click here.