How many MPAs are there?
A range of legislative measures are already in place to provide protection to important marine species and habitats. We currently have 158 marine protected areas in UK waters, which include: • 73 Special Protections Areas (SPAs) with marine habitats for birds, • 81 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) with marine habitats or species, and • 3 statutory Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) : Lundy MNR, Skomer MNR and Strangford Lough MNR. • In Scotland there is a no take zone in Lamlash Bay on the east coast of Arran. • In England there are also 28 SSSIs that are not part of SACs but have marine features Around 30 additional SACs away from the coast are likely to be proposed for designation.
