The Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation has been chosen because it contains some of the best examples of marine habitats and species of European importance. This is despite the locally intensive pressures of human activities on the marine environment, particularly during the last century.

To ensure that the important parts of Pembrokeshire's natural marine environment are protected into and beyond the twenty first century, a management scheme for the SAC has been developed.

The management scheme has been developed by the group of responsible relevant authorities, with the help of the Liaison Forum. The Management scheme document (technical version) can be downloaded from the downloads page.  A summary bilingual document will be available soon.

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is required to provide advice on:

1. Conservation objectives for the Pembrokeshire European Marine Site.
2. Information on activities that may damage the interest features.

This advice forms the basis for the development of the management scheme. Regular monitoring of the European Marine Site will be necessary to ensure that the management scheme remains satisfactory. The findings will be reported to the European Commission every 6 years.

In practice, the European Marine Site will make very little difference to most people on a day-to-day basis. The Habitats Directive supports the principle of sustainable development and there is no intention to exclude human activities, such as economic and recreational development, from European Marine Sites. The only activities that may be affected will be those that are likely to have a significant effect on the interest features. Most activities will not do this and so will not be affected. Those that are considered to pose a threat to the interest features will be carefully assessed to see how any damaging effects may be avoided.

The surrounding sea is every Pembrokeshire resident's backyard. A healthy and pleasant environment is both an enjoyable place to live and an important economic asset.