Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Marine protected areas protect important habitats, species and ecosystems. Find out what marine protected areas and highly protected marine areas are, how the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) manages activities in them, and where to find fishing and other marine activity guidance.
About Marine protected areas
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of the sea designated to protect important habitats, species or other features. These are known as the protected features of the site.
Each MPA has conservation objectives. These describe the conservation outcomes the site is intended to achieve and help inform decisions about how activities are managed.
England has a network of marine protected areas in inshore and offshore waters.
Use Natural England’s Site Search for detailed information about inshore MPAs, maps, protected features, conservation advice and condition information sites designated for their wildlife or geological interest. You can search by site name, designation type or county and you can apply marine filters.
Highly protected marine areas
Highly protected marine area (HPMAs) are a type of MPA. They have the highest level of protection and protect all species and habitats within the site rather than only particular protected features.
HMPAs protect the whole site including the seabed, shore and water column so that marine ecosystems can recover.
The first 3 HPMAs in English waters were designated in July 2023.
An MMO byelaw prohibits anchoring in Allonby Bay Highly Protected Marine Area. The byelaw came into force in July 2026. There can be specific restrictions on activities in HMPAs. Read the Allonby Bay Highly Protected Marine Area byelaw
Why marine protected areas are important
Protecting marine habitats and species helps marine ecosystems remain healthy and recover from damage.
Healthy marine ecosystems benefit people as well as wildlife. They can help regulate the climate, support fish and shellfish populations, provide places for recreation and tourism and contribute to people’s wellbeing.
MMO’s role in managing marine protected areas
MMO manages:
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fishing and marine non licensable activities in HPMAs
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fishing in MPAs more than 6 nautical miles from the coast
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marine non licensable activities in MPAs within 12 nautical miles of the English coast.
Fishing in marine protected areas
Find out how fishing is assessed and managed in marine protected areas, including management measures and current consultations Managing fishing in marine protected areas - GOV.UK]
Other marine activities in protected areas
Find information about activities such as anchoring, boating, sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing, diving and snorkelling and how MMO considers their effects on marine protected areas. How MMO assesses and manages marine activities in marine protected areas - GOV.UK
To ensure decisions on MPA management are informed by the best available evidence and a wide range of perspectives, we regularly request views from stakeholders and the public.
This is undertaken through a range of methods including calls for evidence on MMO assessments of the impacts of activities, workshops, informal engagement and formal consultations on proposed MMO management. Further information is available to help you understand MMOs byelaw making process.