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Natura 2000 in UK Offshore waters
Selection of SACs and SPAs in the UK has so far been confined to terrestrial sites and within UK territorial seas. As a result of a UK court judgement in 1999, the UK Government is taking steps to implement the Habitats Directive in offshore waters and has also agreed to take parallel steps to apply the requirements of the Birds Directive to all relevant marine waters. The UK offshore area in the context of this report refers to the area from the 12 nautical mile territorial seas limit out to the UK Continental Shelf designated areas limits.
The report and its conclusions are the first step in the process of identification of SAC and SPA sites for UK offshore waters. It is being made widely available to stimulate this process and to assist those with an interest in participating in an open and transparent site selection process. Its conclusions will be discussed in the European arena at a seminar to be held in the UK in June 2002. We also encourage feedback on the report from recipients who will not be attending the seminar.
To allow time for full consideration of the report, and to allow for comments received to be considered and incorporated into future work, we request that comments are returned by the end of September 2002.
Please return comments or queries on scientific implementation of the directives directly to the contact address on these pages, or to:
Charlotte Johnston (Offshore Natura 2000 Co-ordinator)
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
Monkstone House
Peterborough, Cambs
PE1 1JY
Email: charlotte.johnston@jncc.gov.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1733 866 905
Fax: +44 (0)1733 555 948
Please return comments or queries on UK regulations or the process of implementing the directives to:
Geoff Audcent
European Wildlife Division
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ()
European Wildlife Division
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol, BS1 6EB
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