 The Humber Estuary has been recognised as one of the most important estuaries in Europe for wildlife and has been designated as a European marine site. The key legislation for the Humber Estuary European Marine Site is the European Union’s Habitats1 and Birds2 Directives, which set out a number of actions to be taken for nature conservation.
Habitats Directive
Aims to promote the maintenance of biodiversity, taking account of economic, social, cultural and regional requirements. It is implemented in the United Kingdom under the Habitats Regulations 1994.
Birds Directive
Protecting all wild birds and their habitats, with special measures for migratory birds and those that are considered rare or vulnerable.
Sites notified under the Habitats and Birds Directives form a network of protected areas across Europe called Natura 2000. European sites that are covered (continuously or intermittently) by tidal waters are know as European Marine Sites.
The Humber Estuary is also designated as a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention3, following an International Convention in Iran in 1971. In England Ramsar sites are treated as a European Sites4.
| 1 |
Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna” (more commonly known as the Habitats Directive) |
| 2 |
Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds” (more commonly known as the Birds Directive) |
| 3 |
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention), 1971 |
| 4 |
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS (DETR). 1998. European marine sites in England and Wales : A guide to the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994 and to the Preparation and Application of Management Schemes. |
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