The Rio Earth Summit:

In 1992 the Rio Earth Summit took place in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. At this summit the UK Government, along with more than 150 other countries, signed up to the Biodiversity Convention.

The Habitats & Birds Directives:

During the same year the European Community passed Council Directive 92/43/EEC, better known as the "EC Habitats Directive". This represented a major contribution by the European Community towards their responsibilities under the Biodiversity Convention. The Habitats Directive aims to maintain biodiversity by conserving important habitats and species, whilst contributing to the sustainable development of designated sites. The earlier 1979 Birds Directive specifically addresses the conservation of wild bird populations and their habitats. The implementation of both the Habitats and Birds Directives is translated into UK legislation by the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994, commonly known as the "Habitats Regulations".

Natura 2000:

Natura 2000 is a network of designated sites throughout Europe, aimed at the conservation of precious natural resources for the year 2000 and beyond. Each site is designated for a number of key interest features, which are usually species or habitats listed under the Habitats and Birds Directives. Within Natura 2000 there are two types of sites.

"Special Areas of Conservation" (SAC) are designated under the 1994 Habitats Regulations for areas supporting rare, endangered or threatened species of plant or animal (other than birds) and important habitats.

"Special Protection Areas" (SPA) are designated under the Birds Directive. These areas help guarantee the appropriate resources and habitats required to ensure the survival or viability of bird species listed under the Birds Directive.

Where areas are designated both as an SAC and SPA, they are called European Sites. Where a European site includes an area of sea or shore, it is termed a European marine site. Hence The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site comprises the Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast SAC and the intertidal part of the Lindisfarne SPA.

Site Management:

The Habitats Directive has a number of key requirements for the management of European marine sites:

• Management of the sites should contribute to maintaining or achieving favourable conservation status of their natural habitats and species.

• Steps must be taken to avoid the deterioration or disturbance of the habitats and species for which the site has been designated.

• Activities, plans or projects, whether inside or outside the site, which are likely to have a significant effect upon the site features, must be subject to an assessment.

• Monitoring must be undertaken to assess the conservation status of the site interest features and to assess the effectiveness of management.

• Management of the site must take into account the economic, social, cultural and recreational needs of the local people.

Management Schemes:

The Habitat Regulations provide for the writing of a management scheme for a European marine site. The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site has a management scheme, which has been compiled by the Management Group for the site. To find out more about the Management Scheme and the key role it plays in managing the European marine site click on the picture opposite-

A copy of the EU 1992 Habitats Directive and the 1979 Birds Directive can be viewed on-line at the EU nature conservation web pages:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/legis.htm
(select 'en' for English version)