Policy paper

Highly Protected Marine Areas: policy information

The paper outlines the rationale for Highly Protected Marine Areas, gives an overview of the sites intended for designation and provides details of the selection process.

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Applies to England

Documents

Details

The paper details why Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) are needed to protect and conserve our marine environment and why we want to introduce them.

It sets out which sites are intended for designation and why. It also gives an overview of the HPMA process, including how we have worked with stakeholders, site selection and details of the consultation.

The paper explains why management measures need to be introduced to manage the pilot HPMAs once designated, and also sets out what the next steps are.

Updates to this page

Published 6 July 2022
Last updated 25 May 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added the De-Minimis Assessment for HPMAs.

  2. Updated to reflect that the government intends to designate a modified version of Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and a modified version of Dolphin Head as Highly Protected Marine Areas.

  3. We've updated the page to say that the consultation on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) has now closed.

  4. First published.

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