More information on these SACs and the features that each SAC protects can be found in the SACs with marine components spreadsheet available here: https://hub.jncc.gov.uk/assets/598a60db-9323-4781-b5a8-dcf0ca3b29f9

'SACs with marine components' were defined by the inter-agency Marine Natura Project Group in 2007, explained in: http://data.jncc.gov.uk/data/0c1ec9ba-97c3-46e8-a274-6dac4ec92edf/MarineSAC-SelectionCriteria-030609.pdfand http://data.jncc.gov.uk/data/2724254e-3d7d-46e5-be9d-612fc4ab1f70/MN2KPG16-13-MN2KDefs.pdf

This layer is projected in WGS 1984 geographic coordinate system. Please see the ‘read me’ in the SACs with marine components spreadsheet in for an explanation of the attribute table columns, and for further background information. We strongly recommend referring to this information before filtering data in this layer.

Please note that SACs can be identified as either candidate SAC (cSAC), Site of Community Importance (SCI) or SAC depending on their stage in the designation process

This version (20200527) includes the following updates:

- Re-addition of Braunton Burrows SAC to the dataset. Updated metadata and website links.

Details of changes made in previous versions:

Version - 20190905: Change of status for Croker Carbonate Slabs from cSAC/SCI to fully designated SAC

Version - 20190328: Site area corrected for Inner Hebrides and the Minches SAC and Skerries and Causeway SAC

Version - 20190225: Change of status for 7sites from cSAC/SCIs to fully designated SACs: Bristol Channel Approaches / Dynesfeydd Môr Hafren, East Mingulay, Inner Hebrides and the Minches, North Anglesey Marine / Gogledd Môn Forol, North Channel, Southern North Sea and West Wales Marine / Gorllewin Cymru Forol.

Version - 20181212:Corrected site boundaryfor Flamborough HeadSAC.

Version - 20181126: Updated site boundaryand attribute informationfor Flamborough HeadSAC.

Version-20180927:Addition of 10sites: Ardvar and Loch a' Mhuilinn Woodlands SAC, Durness SAC, Glen Beasdale SAC, Hascosay SAC, Inverpolly SAC, Kinloch and Kyleakin Hills SAC, Mull Oakwoods SAC, Rum SAC, Taynish and Knapdale Woods SAC, Tayvallich Juniper and Coast SAC. Updated site boundaries and attribute informationfor Braemar PockmarksSACandScanner PockmarkSAC. Updated attribute information only for The MaidensSACand Skerries and CausewaySAC.

Version-20180501: Update to the status of the following sites as cSACs/SCIs;Inner Hebrides and the Minches,Southern North Sea, Bristol Channel Approaches / Dynesfeydd Môr Hafren, West Wales Marine / Gorllewin Cymru Forol, North Anglesey Marine / Gogledd Môn Forol and North Channel.

Version-20171128: Attributeand/or boundary changes to Croker Carbonate Slabs cSAC/SCI.Update to the status of the following sites now designated as full SACs, North-West Rockall Bank SAC, Wyville-Thomson Ridge SAC, Pobie Bank Reef SAC, Solan Bank Reef SAC, East Rockall Bank SAC, Anton Dohrn Seamount SAC, Bassurelle Sandbank SAC, Haisborough, Hammond & Winterton SAC, Inner Dowsing, Race Bank & North Ridge SAC, North Norfolk Sandbanks & Saturn Reef SAC, Dogger Bank SAC, Pisces Reef Complex SAC, Wight-Barfleur Reef SAC, Lands End and Cape Bank SAC,Lizard Point SAC, Lyme Bay and Torbay SAC, Margate and Long Sands SAC, Shell Flat and Lune Deep SAC, Start Point to Plymouth Sound & Eddystone SAC, Studland to Portland SAC, Red Bay SAC, Skerries and Causeway SAC, and The Maidens SAC.

Version-20170222: Added 5 candidate SACs submitted to the EC for protection of harbour porpoise.

Version-20161003: Corrected Inner Hebrides and the Minches cSAC data. Site status and associated dates corrected.

Version-20160926:Addition of Inner Hebrides and the Minches cSAC.

Version-20160127: Update covering the revision to Natura 2000 Standard Data Forms and the submission of data to the European Commission in December 2015 (Tranche 50). The removal of 9 SACs from the list following reviews by the country agencies of which sites contain marine components. These sites remain designated for terrestrial/freshwater features but are no longer considered to have marine components.

Version-20150727: Haig Fras boundary change submitted to Europe - changed area, lat and long values.

Version-20150511: Sound of Barra became an SCI on 3rd Dec 2014

Version-20130821: Added Sound of Barra (Scotland and All SACs)

Version-20121017: Added 5 offshore SACs: Pobie Bank Reef, Solan Bank Reef, Anton Dohrn Seamount, East Rockall Bank and Hatton Bank

Version-20120830:Added 6 SACs: Pisces Reef Complex, Wight-Barfleur Reef, Croker Carbonate Slabs, Studland to Portland, Skerries & Causeway, The Maidens

Version-20110905: Added East Mingulay SAC, removed Shell Flat SAC and Prawle Point to Plymouth Sound SAC, added Shell Flat and Lune Deep SAC and Start Point to Plymouth Sound & Eddystone SAC

Version-20110826:Added Dogger Bank SAC

Version-20100820: Added 13 SACs: Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton; Bassurelle Sandbank; North West Rockall Bank; North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef; Wyville Thomson Ridge; Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge; Lands End and Cape Bank; Prawle Point to Plymouth Sound; Lyme Bay and Torbay; Margate and Long Sands; Shell Flat; Red Bay; Lizard Point