PLYMOUTH SOUND & TAMAR ESTUARIES MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA)
The term ‘Marine Protected Area’, or MPA, as a general way of describing the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries marine site because it is protected (designated) under multiple pieces of European and UK legislation. The legislation that applies protection to the marine areas can be complex and, because of the wide variety of internationally important marine habitats and species that are found in the MPA, the Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries are no exception.
There are three key marine designations, along with overlapping terrestrial and coastal protected areas around the site
Plymouth Sound & Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Legislation: EC Habitats Directive 1992 (European), The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (UK).
Qualifying features: Allis shad (Alosa alosa); Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae); Estuaries; Large shallow inlets and bays; Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide; Reefs; Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time; Shore dock (Rumex rupestris).
Designated: 1 April 2005 Area: 6,402 hectares.
View the Natural England Conservation Advice for the SAC online here.
Tamar Estuaries Complex Special Protection Area (SPA)
Legislation: EC Birds Directive 1979 (European), The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (UK).
Qualifying features: Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), non-breeding; Little egret (Egretta garzetta), non-breeding.
Designated: 26 June 1997 Area: 1,955 hectares.
View the Natural England Conservation Advice for the SPA online here.
Tamar Estuaries Site Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)
Legislation: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (UK).
Designated features: Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) beds; Intertidal biogenic reefs; Intertidal course sediment; Native Oyster (Ostrea edulis); Smelt (Osmerus eperlanus).
Designated: 21 November 2013 Area: 1,530 hectares.
View the Natural England Conservation Advice for the MCZ online here.
Local websites that give more explanation are:
Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries Marine Protected Area (MPA) www.plymouth-mpa.uk
Plymouth Sound & Tamar Estuaries – Plymouth MPA (www.plymouth-mpa.uk)
MMO Report Style and GIS Guide (publishing.service.gov.uk)