A number of marine areas around the UK are under consideration as possible Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for harbour porpoise.
SACs are areas of land or sea identified as being of European importance for the conservation of biodiversity. Under the EU Habitats and Species Directive 1992 all EU member states are required to designate SACs and put in place measures to ensure the conservation of the habitats and species for which the sites are designated.
The current consultation for the network of harbour porpoise SACs includes the North Channel as a possible SAC.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek the view of all interested parties on:
- The scientific case for the designation of the possible harbour porpoise SACs; and
- The assessment of the likely economic and social impact of the designation of the sites
The decision on whether to designate SACs is made by UK Ministers with Ministers in the devolved Governments being responsible in their respective waters. No decisions have yet been made in relation to these sites. This consultation is carried out on behalf of the Government to whom the results of the consultation will be reported.
Full details of these proposals and the consultation response form, along with details of the sites undergoing consultation are available by clicking
here