Implemented in response to the Rio Earth Summit, the 1992 EC Habitats Directive provides for the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in order to protect rare, endangered or vulnerable habitats, animals or plants.

Preceding the Habitats Directive, the 1979 Birds Directive provides for the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which support species of rare birds and their habitats.

The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site consists of The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast candidate SAC (cSAC) and the intertidal* part of the Lindisfarne SPA:

The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast cSAC has been designated for its outstanding examples of the following interest features:

• Rocky Reefs
• Sand and mud flats
• Sea caves
• Grey seals
• Large shallow inlets and bays

The Lindisfarne SPA* has been designated for supporting habitats for:

• Rare (**Annex 1) Birds
• Migratory birds
• Internationally important assemblage of waterfowl.

Click on the bullet points above to discover more about each interest feature.

* That part of the Lindisfarne SPA (approx. 70%), which is below the level of the highest astronomical tide (HAT), overlaps with the Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast SAC and hence is included in the European marine site the area of SPA above the level of HAT is not included.
** Annexe 1 of the Birds Directive lists rare, endangered or vulnerable species of birds.

The landward boundary of the Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site is the level of the highest astronomical tide, the seaward boundary can be seen in the Map Gallery as can the locations of the interest features within the site.

The 1992 EC Habitats Directive was transposed into UK law as the 1994 Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations, commonly known as the "Habitat Regulations". As required under Regulation 33 of the Habitats Regulations, the statutory nature conservation agencies for the European marine site, English Nature and Scottish Natural Heritage, have compiled an advice package for the site. This "Regulation 33 Advice Package" sets out conservation objectives for each of the site interest features and identifies activities with the potential to damage these features.

For more information on the Conservation Objectives and their importance please follow this link to the next page: Conservation Objectives

There are many other conservation sites on the Berwickshire and Northumberland coast. To discover more about these beautiful areas please follow this link to:
Coastal Conservation Sites