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Marine SPAs

In recent years, the importance of the marine environment for the seabirds which spend all or part of their lives around our coasts, has been the focus of a great deal of effort.  This work continues today.  Identifying specific areas at sea which may require special protection has many challenges - but much progress has been made.  The identification of sites that lie in inshore waters (within 12 nautical miles of the coast) is the responsibility of Scottish Natural Heritage, with scientific input from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).  Beyond these waters, in the offshore zone, JNCC is leading on the selection of sites.

There are four types of marine SPA currently being investigated:

Marine extensions to breeding seabird colonies

In September 2009, Scottish Ministers classified 31 marine extensions to existing seabird breeding colony SPAs around our coasts.  These are the first truly marine areas in Scotland to be protected for seabirds in this way. 

  • More about these seabird SPAs around the Scottish coast, including how the extended boundaries were identified and for what species
  • More about this type of marine SPA external site elsewhere in the UK

Inshore aggregations of non-breeding waterbirds

These are areas at sea, within the inshore zone, where groups of birds gather together outside the breeding season for various reasons.  They may be important feeding and moulting areas, or staging posts where non-breeding waterbirds - such as divers, grebes, and seaduck - gather together while on migration. 

More about aggregations of non-breeding birds in inshore waters external site including:

  • Areas of search for this type of marine SPA around the Scottish coast, plus reports on some of these areas
  • Marine SPAs of this type elsewhere in UK waters
  • Methods of survey and data analysis 

'Offshore' aggregations of seabirds

JNCC is analysing European Seabirds At Sea (ESAS) data to see if  important hotspots for seabirds can be identified in the open sea.  Although generally referred to as 'offshore', these concentrations of birds can actually occur anywhere unconnected with the coast, including inshore waters.  

Other types of marine SPA

Some important areas for seabirds may not be captured by the other three categories and will be considered individually.  Marine areas used by red-throated divers, terns and shags during the breeding season are currently under consideration.