Papa Stour marine cSAC project background
The United Kingdom can be proud of the fact that, at sea as well as on land, it contains some of Europe's most valued habitats and species. The 1992 European Union Habitats Directive provides an opportunity for this superb natural heritage to be given international recognition. Some of the UK's best marine sites have already been submitted to the European Commission for consideration as a protected area, along with other important marine sites from around Europe - known as European marine sites.

European marine sites are designated areas covered by marine waters including inter-tidal areas. These sites can be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive, where they support certain natural habitats and marine species of European importance.

The aim of the Habitats Directive is to maintain or restore at favourable conservation status certain habitats and species 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 translated into GB 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 sites that will be designated as SACs.

Natura 2000 Project Website As a result of the designation of sites under the EC Habitats Directive, a network of protected areas will be formed, known as Natura 2000. The aim of establishing this network is to conserve the natural habitats and species of wildlife which are rare, endangered or vulnerable within the European Community.

As well as Special Areas of Conservation, the Natura 2000 network will include Special Protection Areas or SPAs. These sites have been identified in places where significant numbers of wild birds are supported.

Site identification
The habitats listed under Annex I as being important in the marine environment include:

  • Estuaries
  • Lagoons
  • Large shallow inlets and bays
  • Mudflats and sandflats not covered by sea water at low tide
  • Reefs
  • Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time
  • Submerged or partly submerged sea caves

The species listed under Annex II as being important in the marine environment include:

  • Grey seals
  • Common seals
  • Bottlenose dolphins

Papa Stour marine cSAC was identified as a Special Area of Conservation for two habitats listed under Annex I of the Habitats Directive - the 'reefs' and 'submerged and partly submerged sea caves'.
Papa Stour cSAC boundary limits - click the map for a larger image

Papa Stour cSAC boundary limits, click for a larger picture
Green areas = Non-designated land
Yellow areas = Non-designated intertidal areas
Blue area = Papa Stour cSAC
Other sites in Shetland have been identified for different habitats and some for the presence of important species. These are listed below: