PART 4 Amendments to the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

New regulation 7A

36.  After regulation 7, insert—

“Priorities for designating special areas of conservation

7A.   The relevant administration must establish priorities for the designation of sites in the light of—

(a) the importance of the sites for the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of—

(i) a natural habitat type specified in Annex I to the Habitats Directive; or

(ii) a species specified in Annex II to the Habitats Directive;

(b) the importance of the sites for the coherence of national site network; and

(c) the threats of degradation or destruction to which the sites are exposed.”.