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).
We have a vital role in ensuring that our seas are sustained and that biodiversity is recovered for future generations. 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.
For information on Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, please go to the new Marine Natura 2000 sites - Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas webpages.
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(19 December 2011) As the Government’s statutory adviser on Nature Conservation, it is important that stakeholders are able to trust the evidence that Natural England uses to underpin all of our advice.
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Marine oil and chemical-spill response
(15 November 2011) A set of new guidelines to strengthen the response to oil and chemical spills at sea has been published this week.
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