Southwest Environmental Limited

UK Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Map

The below map shows information on all offshore Marine Protected Areas in the UK (beyond 12 nautical miles from baseline). These include Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), Scottish national MPAs, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) with marine components and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) with marine components.  This also includes sites that cross the inshore/offshore waters (territorial seas) boundary.

MPAs are areas of the ocean established to protect habitats, species and processes essential for healthy, functioning marine ecosystems. The purpose of an MPA is to protect and recover rare, threatened and important habitats and species from damage caused by human activities. In England, MPAs are designated to protect specific habitats or species (also known as ‘features’) and have conservation objectives which state what conservation outcomes the MPA is designed to achieve. There are 178 MPAs in English waters, covering 51% of inshore and 37% of offshore waters. 

UK Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPA): Mapping and Regulatory Guidance

The protection of marine biodiversity is a critical component of UK environmental policy. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are established to safeguard vulnerable habitats and species across our territorial waters and the wider continental shelf. Southwest Environmental Limited (SWEL) provides this technical resource to help developers, maritime operators, and planners identify spatial constraints and understand the regulatory requirements associated with offshore developments. Our consultancy services ensure that marine projects remain compliant with the Marine and Coastal Access Act and the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations.

Navigating Marine Designations and Compliance

Offshore developments—from renewable energy installations to dredging and infrastructure projects—must undergo rigorous assessment if they have the potential to impact protected marine sites. Our expertise covers a broad spectrum of marine designations:

• Special Areas of Conservation (SAC): Protecting specific marine habitats and non-bird species of international importance.
• Special Protection Areas (SPA): Safeguarding the habitats of migratory and threatened bird species in the marine environment.
• Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ): Targeted protection for areas of national importance for marine wildlife and geology.
• Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA): Conducting "Shadow" HRAs to determine the potential for significant effects on protected marine sites, as highlighted in our HRA guidance.

Technical Support for Marine Planning

Working within the marine environment requires specialized knowledge of spatial planning and ecological sensitivity. SWEL provides the technical evidence needed to support applications to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). By integrating mapping data with site-specific Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), we help clients mitigate risks to benthic habitats, marine mammals, and avian populations.

Accredited Marine Ecology Expertise

With a 15-year track record and over 900 projects completed across the UK, Southwest Environmental Limited offers the professional accreditation (IES, CIEEM) and technical authority required for complex marine assessments. Our directors provide high-level oversight to ensure that your offshore project meets all environmental and legislative standards, protecting both your project's timeline and the marine environment.