Legislation
The marine areas (land covered continuously or intermittently by tidal waters) of the Humber Estuary SAC, the SPA and Ramsar sites together form the Humber Estuary European Marine Site.
The Humber Estuary has been recognised as one of the most important estuaries in Europefor wildlife and has been designated as a European marine site. The key legislation for the Humber Estuary European Marine Site is the European Union's Habitats and Birds Directives, which set out a number of actions to be taken for nature conservation.
- Habitats Directive
Aims to promote the maintenance of biodiversity, taking account of economic, social, cultural and regional requirements. It is implemented in the United Kingdom under the Habitats Regulations 1994.
SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (protected areas for valuable habitats and species) are designated under the Habitats directive. - Birds Directive
Protecting all wild birds and their habitats, with special measures for migratory birds and those that are considered rare or vulnerable.
SPA - Special Protection Area (areas that support internationally important numbers of birds) are designated under the Birds Directive.
Sites notified under the Habitats and Birds Directives form a network of protected areas across Europe called Natura 2000. European sites that are covered (continuously or intermittently) by tidal waters are know as European Marine Sites.
The Humber Estuary is also designated as a "Wetland of International Importance" under the Ramsar Convention, following an International Convention in Iran in 1971. In England Ramsar sites are treated as a European Sites.
Click to enlarge