2. PROTECT THE BEST

a) MARINE

Our performance indicator:

A complete Marine Protected Area network (including Natura 2000 sites, OSPAR MPAs, Nationally Important Marine Sites, and Highly Protected Marine Reserves) identified and notified by 2010.

ASSESSMENT - RED

Site protection in the marine environment continues to lag decades behind that on land.  The Marine & Coastal Access Act received Royal Assent in November 2009 and, given proper implementation provides the legal tools to better deliver marine protection. The Act provides for Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) to be designated to contribute to a representative and ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which will also include Natura 2000 sites.

Regional site selection projects have been set up to identify MCZs in our seas and are due to deliver final proposals by August 2011, for public consultation and approval by the Secretary of State in 2012.  Separately, some additional marine Natura 2000 sites are also being considered. Final recommendations for 10 new Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and two new Special Protection Areas (SPAs) were submitted to the EC in 2010, two further SACs are undergoing formal consultation, and one additional SAC will be brought forward during 2011. However, progress is still slow and for SPAs in particular, coverage remains woefully inadequate. In addition, the harbour porpoise still remains completely unprotected.  Recent work programme forecasts from the statutory agencies suggest that completion of the marine SPA network in English waters might be delayed until at least 2016 on current timelines.

The Government’s aim is still for the MPA network to be substantially established by 2012, which we welcome and believe the Government should stick to, but it does mean the original 2010 target above has been missed. The Government will also need to ensure comprehensive and effective application of management measures to existing and future MPAs, including MCZs and Natura 2000 sites.

b) TERRESTRIAL AND FRESHWATER SITES

Our performance indicator:
95% of UK SSSI / ASSIs in favourable condition by 2010 ³.

ASSESSMENT - GREEN

As of 1 December 2010, 95.8% of SSSIs in England were in ‘target’ (i.e. favourable or unfavourable recovering) condition, indicating that the (now abolished) Public Service Agreement (PSA) target in England (95% of SSSIs by area in ‘favourable’ or ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition by December 2010) has been met.  This reflects the very real efforts made by Government and its agencies to improve the condition of England’s SSSIs in response to this target, and the effective way in which they have worked with stakeholders to focus attention on its delivery.

It is important to note that most progress towards the PSA target has been made in the transition of large areas from ‘unfavourable’ to ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition. This has been triggered by funding from schemes such as HLS and the management that this supports which is intended to address the causes of unfavourable condition. While such management and funding can be seen as a proxy for the recovery of biodiversity, it will take time to see whether or not this is effective, and even where it is; the biodiversity on some sites will take many years to recover.

Over the life of the target there has, in fact, been a slight decline in the area achieving ‘favourable’ condition. In the last year alone, the area in favourable (as opposed to unfavourable recovering) condition has declined – from 43.8% (November 2009) to 41.0% (December 2010).  This means that the commendable progress to date is very vulnerable to cuts in public sector spending.  We are concerned that the progress to date may not be sustained, and may not therefore lead to real improvements in the condition of SSSIs on the ground. For example, the lack of improvement in the condition of open water SSSIs is of particular concern.

As we move through 2010 and beyond, the emphasis must now shift to delivery of favourable condition to ensure that the good work to date is sustained and not wasted.  Sound scientific understanding of the causes of unfavourable condition, and of the efficacy of management measures, will be key to assessing the extent to which measures now in place will deliver the desired results. It is clear that greater investment in science to ‘crack’ particular issues (e.g. the effects and management of diffuse pollution in fresh water ecosystems) will be necessary along the way.

Further assessments:

Stop the Rot
Restore the Rest
Full Progress Assessment (pdf)