2016-17 SPA Consultation Overview · consultation paper for reference (Appendix B). Table 1. The five proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) OSPAR Region(s) Proposed Special Protection

2016-17 SPA Consultation Overview

Consultation on five additional proposals for Special Protection Areas in the seas around Scotland

Front cover image: A European shag © Laurie Campbell

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Foreword

I am delighted to bring forward proposals that reflect the remarkable role the marine environment plays for some of our iconic bird species, including the striking European shag on the front cover of this document. Building on the existing Marine Protected Area network, adoption of these new areas would help to ensure that our marine ecosystems remain resilient and can continue to support society’s needs for generations to come. You can help by providing your views on the case for classifying these Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the EU Wild Birds Directive. We are also seeking views on other aspects of the proposals including management options identified to protect the features. We are at a turning point in the management of our seas and the process of change has benefited enormously from the unprecedented levels of interest and input provided by a diverse range of stakeholders throughout. Member organisations are grateful to everyone who has been involved in this work over the past few years. It has taken a huge amount of effort and commitment to get us to where we are today and I sincerely hope that you will all once again tell us how you think the network should develop from here.

Andrew Bachell Director of Policy & Advice, Scottish Natural Heritage

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Contents

Page no.

Foreword ........................................................................................................... i

Contents ........................................................................................................... ii

Summary .......................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 3

The proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) ........................................ 3

Background to the consultation .................................................................... 5

What is the 2016-17 marine SPA consultation asking? ............................... 5

Developing the MPA network ......................................................................... 7

Roles and responsibilities .............................................................................. 9

2016-17 SPA consultation - Programme of events ...................................... 9

How were the proposed sites selected? ..................................................... 11

Site management ........................................................................................... 15

Sources of further information .................................................................... 17

Appendix A .................................................................................................... 19

How to make a response to the 2016-17 Marine Bird SPA consultation (additional proposals) ................................................................................... 19

Appendix B .................................................................................................... 21

One-page summaries of each proposed SPA ............................................ 21

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Summary

Thank you for taking the time to consider this consultation paper and for sharing your views on the further development of Scotland’s network of marine protected areas. Five additional marine proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) are recommended for classification. We are looking for your views on:

Support for enhancing Scotland’s network of marine protected areas.

The scientific case for classifying each individual proposed SPA.

The proposed management advice for each of the sites.

The Business and Regulatory Impact Assessments (BRIAs).

Please note that in the case of the Solway Firth pSPA (which includes both Scottish and English territorial waters) Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is the lead Statutory Nature Conservation Body (SNCB) for the purposes of this consultation, working in close collaboration with Natural England (NE).

What documents should I read to answer these questions? In addition to this overview, the following documents provide further details on the sites, the evidence supporting them, potential management options, as well as the expected environmental and socio-economic costs and benefits. For each of the marine pSPAs Scottish Natural Heritage1 and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)1 have produced:

A site selection document (the scientific case for designation);

Advice to support management of relevant activities; and

A brief, illustrated site summary leaflet. Marine Scotland2 has also produced:

A set of Business and Regulatory Impact Assessments (BRIAs)3 that cover each of the pSPAs.

For the Solway Firth pSPA 4, which is a cross-border site including areas within English waters, these explanatory documents have been produced in collaboration with Natural England. For more information on the existing network of protected areas in the seas around Scotland please refer to:

SNH’s and JNCC’s ‘MPA network’ web pages (see http://www.snh.gov.uk/mpa-network & http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4549 respectively);

1 See http://www.snh.gov.uk/marinebirdSPAs, www.jncc.defra.gov.uk/SPAconsultation

2 See http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork/marinespas

3 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-

environment/mpanetwork/marinespas/SPAConsultationBRIAS2016 4 In England pSPA refers to potential SPA, in Scotland pSPA refers to proposed SPA.

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SNH and JNCC’s 2012 formal advice to the Scottish Government on the development of the Scottish MPA network5; and,

Marine Scotland’s MPA network web pages (http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork).

To see how the sites relate to existing protected areas please visit National Marine Plan interactive (https://marinescotland.atkinsgeospatial.com/nmpi/). The MPA network data viewable on NMPi (boundaries of existing, proposed and draft sites in a GIS format) are available for download from SNH’s NaturalSpaces at http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/natural-spaces/index.jsp .

How do I respond and get involved in the consultation? Responses to the 2016-17 marine birds SPA consultation (additional proposals) can be submitted online at: http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/marinebirdSPAs2/ Responses specifically on the Solway pSPA can be submitted online at: http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SolwaypSPA/ Responses to the consultation can also be submitted by e-mail or post. Further details on how to respond and relevant contact information can be found in Appendix A.

Consultation timelines Your views should be submitted by midnight on 17th January 2017.

How will my response be considered? The pSPAs are required to meet obligations under the EU Wild Birds Directive and the decision to classify these sites can only be on the basis of the scientific evidence presented. Where socio-economic issues are highlighted this information can only be used to inform Ministers on the possible impacts of classifying the sites.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

5 See SNH Commissioned Report No. 547 - http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A990246.pdf

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Introduction

The extent and quality of habitat and available food around our coast supports huge numbers of different bird species. Few countries can match this and we have an international responsibility to protect what we have. The importance of the marine environment for birds which spend all or part of their lives around our coasts is well recognised. A total of 106 species of bird are thought to use UK marine waters. Of these, 45 occur in good numbers every year and are dependent on the marine environment for a large part of their lifecycle. All of these 45 species except one (the black guillemot6) are considered rare or vulnerable, or are regularly occurring migratory species under the EU Wild Birds Directive. Member States are obliged to take account of the requirements of the Directive for each of these 44 species. This requires the identification and classification of the most suitable bird territories as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The existing suite of terrestrial and coastal SPAs is not considered sufficient because it does not include suitable territories at sea for all of the bird species that we have a responsibility for. All 15 pSPA proposals being consulted on in 2016-17 will support the long term health of 31 species of seabird by helping to avoid disturbance and deterioration of their habitats. Ten proposals went to public consultation between 4th July and 3rd October 2016. An additional four proposals are being consulted on between 4th October 2016 and 17th January 2017 and the Solway Firth pSPA from 25th October 2016 to 17th January 2017 (all sites are shown in Figure 1 overleaf).

The proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs)

The pSPAs that we are seeking your views on are listed in the table below. The location and proposed extent of each pSPA is shown on Figure 1. A one-page summary description of each of the proposals is provided at the back of this consultation paper for reference (Appendix B).

Table 1. The five proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs)

OSPAR Region(s)

Proposed Special Protection Area Area (km2)

II Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex 2721

II Pentland Firth 973

II Seas off Foula 3412

III & V Seas off St Kilda 3995

III Solway Firth 1357

6 Black guillemot are a protected feature of six Nature Conservation MPAs designated in

Scotland/Scottish waters in 2014

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Figure 1. The five marine proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) covered by the 2016-17 consultation (in green), and the ten marine pSPAs that finished consultation in October 2016 (in purple).

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Background to the consultation

Over the last few years, SNH and JNCC have worked closely with Marine Scotland to advise Scottish Ministers on the selection and management of various different types of marine protected areas. In addition, SNH, NE and JNCC have been working closely with Marine Scotland and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to advise UK Government Ministers on proposals for the extension of an existing SPA which includes both Scottish and English territorial waters in the Solway Firth. The Marine Protected Area network is being developed to safeguard our most important natural and cultural heritage on the principle of sustainable use, offering long-term support for the services our seas provide to society. In summer 2013, Marine Scotland ran a public consultation on the designation of new Nature Conservation MPAs as part of the ‘Planning Scotland’s Seas’ process. As a result, 30 NC MPAs were designated in August 2014, one of which is believed to be the largest in the EU. The designations increased the total amount of Scotland’s seas that are now protected to just over 20%. Completion of a network of well-managed sites will help to deliver on a number of international and European commitments such as the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Convention on Biological Diversity and the OSPAR Convention.

What is the 2016-17 marine SPA consultation asking?

SNH and JNCC submitted formal advice to the Scottish Government in July 2014 on the case for classifying (designating) a suite of SPA proposals (SNH & JNCC, 2014) in Scotland. Scottish Government asked SNH to run a formal consultation on the case for classifying ten of the pSPAs to supplement the existing network (shown in Figure 2 overleaf) in July 2016. Following on from this, Defra and Scottish Ministers approved five additional proposals, resulting in SNH, NE and JNCC being asked to jointly run a formal consultation on the case for classifying these pSPAs. This additional consultation seeks views on the five individual pSPAs, their impacts and management, as well as on the development of the overall network.

For how to respond see Appendix A.

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Figure 2. The existing marine protected area network in Scottish waters

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Developing the Scottish MPA network

The existing marine protected areas in our waters (as shown in Figure 2) do not encompass all aspects of our complex and rich marine ecosystems. The seas around Scotland and the spectacular wildlife they support are one of our best kept secrets, one that relatively few have the privilege to explore first hand, but upon which we all depend for our quality of life. Scotland’s seas account for 61% of UK waters. They play an important role in satisfying our growing food and energy needs, through fishing, aquaculture, oil and gas, and newer industries such as marine renewables. They support recreational activities and eco-tourism which also make a significant contribution to our economy. Putting in place an ecologically coherent network of well-managed marine protected areas is vital to conserve and regenerate our seas, in turn protecting the many goods and services they provide us with now, and for generations to come. SNH and JNCC believe that classification of the pSPAs being consulted upon in 2016 and 2017 would make a significant contribution to the development of the network (see Figure 3).

The 2016-17 marine bird SPA consultation (additional proposals) seeks your views on the development of the MPA network in the Seas around Scotland. For how to respond see Appendix A.

A black-throated diver © Laurie Campbell

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Figure 3. The pSPAs (green) covered by the 2016-17 consultation and their relationship with the existing network in Scottish waters

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Roles and responsibilities

Marine Scotland manages the development of the MPA network in Scottish waters. SNH and JNCC provide guidance and scientific advice on the selection of individual sites and the development of an ecologically coherent network. SNH advises on sites in Scottish territorial waters (within 12 nm) and JNCC advises on proposals in offshore waters adjacent to Scotland (beyond 12 nm). SNH and JNCC also provide advice on site management with the aim of ensuring that the conservation objectives are achieved. After classification, regulators, including but not limited to Marine Scotland, will be responsible for ensuring management appropriate for the conservation objectives of the SPAs is implemented. NE is responsible for recommending potential SPAs in English waters (out to 12nm) to Defra for classification, taking advice on the evidence base and SPA selection guidelines from JNCC. The Defra Secretary of State then decides whether the site should be classified. However, where a potential SPA such as the Solway Firth pSPA extends into Scottish waters, NE works closely with SNH as the SNCB for Scotland. In the case of the Solway Firth pSPA, SNH is acting as the lead SNCB for the site. SNH is coordinating the collection of consultation responses to the 2016-17 marine bird SPA consultation (additional proposals). SNH, JNCC and NE will work closely together when considering consultation submissions. SNH will lead on the development of responses to the consultation submissions for the three primarily inshore pSPAs; the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA and the Pentland Firth pSPA and the Solway Firth pSPA. JNCC will lead on the development of responses to consultation submissions relating specifically to the two primarily offshore pSPAs; Seas off Foula and Seas off St Kilda. Marine Scotland has a lead role in considering socio-economic impacts of the MPA network and will respond to relevant aspects of submissions made to the 2016-17 marine bird SPA consultation. SNH, NE and JNCC have not taken into account socio-economic factors in their recommendations. The EU Wild Birds Directive requires the identification of proposed sites solely on the basis of scientific considerations. Final decisions on site designations and management rest with UK Government Ministers.

2016-17 SPA consultation - Programme of events

SNH hosted a series of public events around Scotland’s coast in August and September 2016. There will be additional opportunities for people to learn more

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about these additional proposals and how they may affect them between November 2016 and January 2017, with details available on the SPA consultation page:

http://www.snh.gov.uk/marinebirdSPAs

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How were the proposed sites selected?

Scotland’s MPA network is made up of several different types of areas (illustrated in Figure 5). These have their origins in different pieces of legislation and consequently all differ in their respective selection processes and supporting documentation. A brief summary for the SPAs covered by the 2016-17 consultation is provided below. Further details on the building blocks of the network are available in our 2012 MPA network advice (SNH & JNCC, 2012). A brief guide is also available online7.

Figure 5. Building blocks of the MPA network in Scotland’s seas

Marine proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) Special Protection Areas are classified under the EU Wild Birds Directive for rare and vulnerable birds (as listed in Annex 1 of the Directive), and for regularly occurring migratory species both on land and at sea. To date, 31 marine extensions to terrestrial breeding colony SPAs have been classified in Scotland’s seas. Only four entirely marine SPAs have been classified in the UK, none of these occur in Scottish waters. The SPA proposals cover five groupings of marine birds. These include inshore wintering waterfowl such as sea ducks, divers and grebes; aggregations of true seabirds such as gannet and guillemot; foraging areas for breeding red-throated divers and tern species; and important areas for European shag. The selection of marine SPAs follows the principles set out in the ‘UK Site Selection for SPAs’ (JNCC, 1999). The process involves two stages. Stage 1 identifies areas which are important for a significant proportion of birds on a regular basis:

7 See - http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1438942.pdf

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1% or more of the British population of an Annex 1 bird (Stage 1.1);

1% or more of the biogeographical population of migratory species (Stage 1.2);

more than 20,000 waterfowl or seabirds (Stage 1.3).

Areas can also be identified that are of outstanding ecological importance for the birds (Stage 1.4). The areas identified under Stage 1 represent all possible areas which could be proposed as SPAs.

The areas of search were identified by JNCC using a variety of survey and analysis techniques to accommodate the differing ecologies, behaviour, distribution and abundance and seasons that the different bird species occur in UK waters. The survey and analysis methods are described fully within reports which form part of the JNCC Marine SPA report series (see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4184 for further details).

Stage 2 of the process considers these areas of search further using one or more of the ecological judgements set out in the selection guidelines to select the most suitable areas for classification from those identified under Stage 1. These include population size and density, species range, history of occupancy of the site and areas that are important for multi-species areas. Stage 2 of the process was carried out by SNH for the inshore waters (<12 nm) and by JNCC for offshore waters (>12 nm).

On the basis of the application of these guidelines, SNH and JNCC submitted advice to Scottish Ministers in 2014. In the case of the Solway Firth, SNH were responsible for applying the assessment against the selection guidelines in consultation with Natural England. Marine Scotland hosted a workshop in March 2016 and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss boundary setting principles and the draft conservation objectives (including considering how these would work in practice). One of the main recommendations coming from the workshop was that the seaward boundaries of the proposed sites should be revised to align much more closely with the modelled distribution of the different bird species. For some sites, the changes made very little

A European shag © Laurie Campbell

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difference to the overall area included (e.g. Sound of Gigha), but for others the changes were more significant (e.g. East Mainland Coast, Shetland). Full details are provided in the workshop report (Marine Scotland, 2016). A site selection document for each resultant pSPA is available from the SNH 2016-17 SPA consultation web links.

Conservation objectives Conservation objectives (COs) describe the desired ecological state (or quality) of each protected feature within a site. For SPAs conservation objectives are to ‘maintain’ the protected feature(s) and supporting habitat and food resources. The draft conservation objective for each feature of the proposed SPAs is provided in Appendix B.

An Atlantic puffin © Laurie Campbell

A red-breasted merganser © Laurie Campbell

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Principles guiding the use of scientific evidence

In our 2012 MPA network advice (SNH and JNCC, 2012) we set out a series of principles for our use of evidence as part of the Scottish MPA Programme (see Section 5.4 Collecting and applying evidence in the 2012 report). These principles were designed to align with the conclusions of a Defra-commissioned independent review on the use of scientific evidence in the selection of marine SACs (Graham-Bryce, 2011). The principles were also applied in the identification of the marine pSPAs. Specifically:

The results of relevant seabird surveys and modelling work that underpin the marine pSPAs have been peer reviewed by independent experts, published and are available on the JNCC website (e.g. Kober et al., 2012; Wilson et al., 2014; Black et al., 2015 - see Sources of further information for more).

SNH’s advice has been reviewed by SNH’s Scientific Advisory Committee, Management Team and Protected Areas Committee. Details of the membership of each of these groups are available on the SNH website (http://www.snh.gov.uk/about-snh/board-comm-and-mgt/).

JNCC's advice has been reviewed by the Marine Protected Areas Sub-Group to the Joint Committee.

For the Solway Firth, SNH worked closely with Natural England who applied their own international site designations standard and evidence standard. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5373269790162944

All advice has been reviewed by Marine Scotland Science.

We believe that the processes followed have used the best available evidence. The site selection documents that supplement this consultation provide more detail on the evidence used to support each of the proposals. We are confident that together, the different steps in reviewing our advice represent an expert review. The same approach underpinned SNH and JNCC’s 2012 MPA advice which was endorsed by an independent external review commissioned by the Scottish Government (see Earnshaw et al., 2014).

The 2016-17 marine bird SPA consultation (additional proposals) seeks your views on the case for classification of the individual proposed SPAs. For how to respond see Appendix A.

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Impact Assessments

For the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessments of the individual pSPAs please visit:

www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork/marinespas/SPAConsultationBRIAS2016 The pSPAs are required under the EU Wild Birds Directive and the decision to classify these sites can only be on the basis of the scientific evidence presented.

Where socio-economic issues are highlighted in consultation submissions this information can only be used to inform UK Governement Ministers as to the possible estimated impact of any designations.

Site management

The proposed SPAs will be managed to deliver their conservation objectives. Activities that could hinder achievement of these objectives will be managed to reduce this risk. The aim is to work with marine users to encourage sustainable use. To help people understand the likely management implications of the proposals, an Advice to support management document has been produced for each site. These documents provide the starting point for discussing management that might be required.

A pair of red throated divers © Laurie Campbell

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These papers use a risk-based approach. They consider each of the proposed qualifying features and their respective conservation objectives, together with activities which take place in, adjacent to, or near the proposed SPA and that could affect their condition. The Advice to support management documents in conjunction with the other consultation materials provided also fulfil the responsibilities of the conservation agencies under Regulation 33 of the Habitats Regulations and Regulation 18 of the Offshore Marine Conservation Regulations, which requires the agencies to provide advice on the conservation objectives of Natura sites and activities that may affect the species or the habitats used by the protected species. Consideration of management is undertaken at a site level on a case by case basis, recognising the unique variation of protected features and activities that exist.

The 2016-17 marine bird SPA consultation (additional proposals) seeks your views on the management options presented for each of the individual proposed SPAs. For how to respond see Appendix A.

A great northern diver © Laurie Campbell

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Sources of further information

ABPmer. 2015. Developing the Evidence Base for Impact Assessments for Recommended dSACs and dSPAs. Report to JNCC. Black, J., Dean B.J., Webb A., Lewis, M., Okill D. & Reid J.B. 2015. Identification of important marine areas in the UK for red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) during the breeding season. JNCC Report 541. ISSN 0963 8091. <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/Report_541_web.pdf> Earnshaw, S., Perez-Dominguez, R., Worsfold, T., Pears, S., Hubble, M., Blyth-Skyrme, R., Wells, E., Blyth-Skyrme, V., Hall-Spencer, J. & Rehfisch, M. 2014. Independent Science Review of the Scottish Marine Protected Areas Network. APEM Scientific Report for the Scottish Government. Report Ref: APM/002/14. APEM Ref 413361. <http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00455482.pdf> Graham-Bryce, I. 2011. Independent review of the evidence process for selecting marine Special Areas of Conservation. Defra Commissioned Report PB13598. <http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/protect/mpa> JNCC. 1999. The Birds Directive. Selection guidelines for Special Protection Areas. Peterborough, JNCC. 6 pp. <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1405> Kober, K., Wilson, L.J., Black, J., O’Brien, S., Allen, S., Win, I., Bingham, C. & Reid, J.B. 2012. The identification of possible marine SPAs for seabirds in the UK: The application of Stage 1.1 - 1.4 of the SPA selection guidelines. JNCC Report No. 461, ISSN 0963-8901. <http://www.jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/461_final_web.pdf> Marine Scotland. 2013. Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas: Draft Management Handbook. <http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0042/00428637.pdf> Marine Scotland. 2016. Selection of suitable sites for marine birds and advice on management in the Scottish Marine Protected Areas Network. Summary report of the marine Special Protection Area (SPA) stakeholder workshop - 8 and 9 March 2016. <http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00500837.pdf> Parsons, M., Lawson, J., Lewis, M., Lawrence, R. & Kuepfer, A. 2015. Quantifying foraging areas of little tern around its breeding colony SPA during chick-rearing. JNCC Report 548. ISSN 0963 8901. <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/Report_548_web.pdf> SNH. 2014. Further advice to Scottish Government on the selection of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas for the development of the Scottish MPA network. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 780. <http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/780.pdf> SNH & JNCC. 2012. Advice to the Scottish Government on the selection of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for the development of the Scottish MPA network. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 547. <http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A990246.pdf>

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SNH & JNCC. 2014. Advice to the Scottish Government on the selection of 14 marine draft Special Protection Areas. Advice to Ministers, July 2014. <http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A1350044.pdf> Wilson L. J., Black J., Brewer, M. J., Potts, J. M., Kuepfer, A., Win I., Kober K., Bingham C., Mavor R. & Webb A. 2014. Quantifying usage of the marine environment by terns Sterna sp. around their breeding colony SPAs. JNCC Report 500. ISSN 0963 8901. <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-6644>

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Appendix A

How to make a response to the 2016-17 Marine Bird SPA consultation (additional proposals)

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How to respond to the 2016-17 marine bird SPA consultation (additional proposals) You are invited to respond to the consultation on the case for classifying the additional five marine bird proposed SPAs by midnight on the 17th January 2017. Responses to the consultation should be submitted to online at - http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/marinebirdSPAs2/ Responses specifically on the Solway pSPA can be submitted online at: http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SolwaypSPA/ Responses to the consultation can also be submitted by e-mail or post. Please contact us for an electronic / paper copy of the consultation questions: Scotland postal submissions Marine Bird SPA Consultation Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House Inverness IV3 8NW

E-mail submissions -

[email protected]

If you have general enquiries regarding proposals please contact SNH as above or phone 01463 725025 regarding the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex pSPA, Pentland Firth pSPA and Solway Firth pSPA. Please send enquiries about Seas off Foula pSPA and Seas off St Kilda pSPA to JNCC by email ([email protected]) or post (JNCC, Marine SPA consultation, Inverdee House, Baxter Street, Aberdeen, AB11 9QA).

SNH are coordinating the 2016-17 Scottish marine bird SPA consultation (additional proposals). We will liaise with Natural England and JNCC where appropriate and collaborate on responses as necessary. Submissions on all pSPAs covered by the 2016-17 marine bird SPA consultation (additional proposals) should be submitted to SNH.

Comments and complaints If you have any comments about how this consultation exercise has been conducted, please send them to [email protected] or 01463 725025.

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Appendix B

One-page summaries of each proposed SPA

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Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex marine pSPA

Proposed qualifying features

Breeding - Arctic tern; Atlantic puffin; common guillemot; common tern; European shag; herring gull; kittiwake; Manx shearwater; Northern gannet

Wintering - Black-headed gull; common eider; common goldeneye; common guillemot; common gull; common scoter; European shag; herring gull; kittiwake; little gull; long-tailed duck; razorbill; red-breasted merganser; red-throated diver; Slavonian grebe; velvet scoter

Draft conservation objectives Maintain (all features)

The proposed SPA supports important populations of 21 species of marine bird. The pSPA will help protect the birds themselves and their rich feeding grounds.

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Pentland Firth marine pSPA

Proposed qualifying features Breeding – Arctic skua, Arctic tern; common guillemot, breeding seabird assemblage

Draft conservation objectives Maintain (both features)

The Pentland Firth proposed SPA includes the waters of the central and eastern Pentland Firth, between the southern entrance to Scapa Flow in Orkney and the Caithness coast. It extends some 20km east into the North Sea off John O'Groats.

The waters of the Pentland Firth are subject to very strong tidal movements. The main channel is typically 60-80 metres deep, with shallower waters extending around its islands. During the summer, guillemots and terns nest on coastal cliffs and islands within easy flying distance of these productive waters. The pSPA regularly supports over 30,000 feeding common guillemot (2% of the British (GB) population). These waters are also important to breeding Arctic terns.

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Seas off Foula marine pSPA

Proposed qualifying features Breeding - Arctic skua; Atlantic puffin

Breeding and wintering - Common guillemot; great skua; northern fulmar

Draft conservation objectives Maintain (all features)

Lying about 15 km west of mainland Shetland, the proposed Seas off Foula SPA covers the waters around and to the north-west of Foula. This island hosts more than 190,000 breeding seabirds, one of the largest and oldest seabird colonies in Britain. This proposed SPA is an important feeding area for great skuas, fulmars, gulls and auks that make their home on the island. More than 5% of the British great skua population captures its food in this part of the north-east Atlantic. The pSPA will complement existing protection at the colony.

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Seas off St Kilda marine pSPA

Proposed qualifying features

Breeding - Atlantic puffin; common guillemot; European storm-petrel; northern fulmar; northern gannet

Draft conservation objectives Maintain (all features)

More than 7% of Britain’s breeding gannet population exploits the Seas off St Kilda, capturing mackerel, herring, sandeel, and other fish for themselves and their young. Not only gannets feed here - other iconic St Kilda seabirds such as fulmars, puffins, and the nocturnal storm-petrels occur in large numbers. The seabirds of St Kilda comprise the largest, oldest and most spectacular marine seabird community in western Europe and one of the most important in the whole North Atlantic. The pSPA will complement existing protection at the colony ensuring that the marine foraging habitat and the prey on which the seabirds depend are equally protected.

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Solway Firth pSPA

Proposed qualifying features Wintering - Black-headed gull; comorant; common gull; common scoter; goosander; herring gull; lapwing; ringed plover; red-throated diver.

Draft conservation objectives Maintain (all features)

The Solway Firth is a large estuary on the west coast of Great Britain. This is a cross-border site and the proposed extension encompasses the marine waters west of the existing SPA, between Whitehaven (England) and Wigtown Bay (Scotland). In winter, the Solway Firth is a stronghold for red-throated diver, common scoter and goosander.

Back cover image: Northern gannets feeding on mackerel © Richard Shucksmith

www.snh.gov.uk

Scottish Natural Heritage

Great Glen House, Leachkin Road,

Inverness, IV3 8NW T: +44 (0) 1463 725000

jncc.defra.gov.uk

JNCC Seabirds team

Inverdee House, Baxter Street,

Aberdeen, AB11 9QA T: +44 (0) 1733 562626

www.defra.gov.uk

Sustainable Development and Marine Team,

Natural England

Juniper House, Murley Moss,

Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RL

T:44 (0) 0300 060 3900

© Scottish Natural Heritage 2016 You can download a copy of this publication from the SNH website.