Natural England - Marine

Marine

The marine environment around England is extremely rich and diverse. England’s seas contain amazing underwater landscapes and over 10,000 species, including many of national and European importance.

Natural England works to ensure that our marine environment is better understood, valued and protected

Key work areas for Natural England include:

What is Natural England's role?

We are responsible for advising Government and industry on marine conservation and seascape issues in England’s territorial waters (from the coast out to 12 nautical miles offshore).

Through our Marine Campaign and through our research we are helping people to understand and appreciate the marine environment. We are implementing Marine Conservation Zones introduced through the Marine and Coastal Access Act. Combining these new zones with existing designated areas, such as European Marine Sites and the marine components of SSSIs and Ramsar sites, will provide an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas.

We also want to ensure that the use and management of the marine environment, outside protected areas, is more sustainable. We will work directly with fisheries and other industries, such as renewable energy and extractive industries to secure this objective. We will also influence policies and mechanisms, including a marine planning system.

Natural England is currently progressing 6 draft SACS and 2 potential SPAs on the inshore zone, more information on these sites can be found on the New Marine Natura 2000 sites - Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas webpages.

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