European marine sites
We are responsible for putting into place management measures to prohibit or restrict certain activities in order to further the conservation objectives of European marine sites.
The term European marine site (EMS) refers to special areas of conservation (SACs) and special protection areas (SPAs), which are protected under the EC Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. EMS is not a statutory designation – these areas are management units. The SAC and SPA are the statutory designation.
More information about EMSs is available on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee's website.