Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

OSPAR definition

What does OSPAR mean? In legal practice, OSPAR refers to the Oslo‑paris convention for the Protection of the Marine environment of the North‑East Atlantic and the OSPAR Commission, which set regional rules and standards to prevent and control marine pollution. It is an international treaty, not a statutory definition, but is implemented in the UK and Ireland through domestic permitting and marine licensing. OSPAR requires contracting parties (including the UK and Ireland) to apply best available techniques and best environmental practice to reduce pollution from land‑based sources, offshore oil and gas activities and dumping at sea, and to protect biodiversity. OSPAR binding Decisions...

Marine Protected Areas: legal and policy framework, designations, biodiversity targets, governance and enforcement, including OSPAR, SACs, SPAs, MCZs, SSSIs, Ramsar, HPMAs and Marine Net Gain

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are sea zones created to safeguard habitats, species and the natural processes vital for resilient, well‑functioning marine ecosystems. Their role is to protect and help recover rare, threatened and noteworthy habitats and species from harm arising from human activity. In England, MPAs are designated for specific habitats or species (often called ‘features’) and carry conservation objectives that set out the outcomes each site is intended to achieve. Much UK policy and legislation on plastics and plastic pollution is likewise aimed at protecting the marine environment. For more information, see Practice Note: Waste types and controls—plastics.

There are roughly 180 MPAs in English waters, covering about 50% of inshore and 37% of offshore waters. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the statutory adviser to the UK Government and devolved administrations, provides an interactive map showing all MPAs across UK waters.

Legislation and policy

The MPA network in England and Wales gives designated protection to the marine environment and is derived from a range of legislative sources...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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