Special Area of Conservation

A large part of the inner Moray Firth, west of a line from Helmsdale to Lossiemouth has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Natura 2000
SAC's contribute to a network of sites, Natura 2000, set up in response to the EC Habitats Directive (one of the ECs major contributions to the Biodiversity Convention agreed by over 150 countries at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit). Natura 2000 aims to help maintain the diversity of wildlife across Europe, by conserving areas of land or sea for the protection of rare, endangered or vulnerable habitats and species in the European Community.

The Moray Firth: Dolphins and Sandbanks
The Moray Firth SAC was initially proposed for designation in 1996 to help protect the resident population of bottlenose dolphins, which is considered to be rare in a European context. Because the dolphins live a long time and reproduce slowly, and because the Moray Firth population is relatively small and isolated, it is extremely vulnerable.

In 2001 'Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water at all times' (subsequently referred to as 'sandbanks') were added to the designation. The sandbanks encompass a range of fine grained sediment types typically, but not exclusively, down to the 20m depth contour. Submerged sandbanks are ecologically and economically important; for example, they often support important nursery areas for fish, the animals associated with them provide a vital food source for birds, and the sandbanks can provide protection from coastal erosion.

Managing the SAC
The Moray Firth is a busy place. Many people live and work on its shores, many activities take place along the coast and in its waters. Some of these activities may affect the dolphins or subtidal sandbanks. The SAC aims to put in place measures that prevent deterioration to the sandbanks or the habitats that support the dolphins and to ensure that significant disturbance does not occur. Through the management scheme the SAC also aims to identify positive projects and proposals that help to improve the quality of the Firth, not just for the European interests but for all those that live and work in the area as well.

Responsibility for managing the Moray Firth SAC is shared by the 'relevant authorities'. These are organisations that have statutory responsibilities through licencing or consenting the various activities or developments that take place in the Firth. These Authorities are required to make sure that the well-being of the dolphins, the condition of their habitat and the condition of the sandbanks are protected when they carry out their every day work. To facilitate effective management of the SAC the relevant authorities came together through a Management Group and this group has published a Management Scheme.

The Management Group includes representatives from the following relevant authorities: The Cromarty Firth Port Authority, The Crown Estate, Department of Trade and Industry (Oil and Gas), Fisheries Research Services (Marine Laboratory), The Highland Council, Inverness Harbour Trust, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Moray Council, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Water. The University of Aberdeen provides independent scientific advice to the group.

The Management Scheme
Development and implementation of the Management Scheme was facilitated by the Moray Firth Partnership, with sponsorship from the EC LIFE Environment fund and the relevant authorities based around the Firth.

The Management Scheme identifies the key activities and operations that have the potential to affect the dolphins and sandbanks. The Scheme lists 133 actions that individuals, organisations and others can carry out to help protect and maintain the dolphins and sandbanks. In addition the Scheme helps to direct and co-ordinate efforts towards long term conservation of the dolphins and sandbanks, whilst taking into account the social and economic interests of the Firth. The success of the Scheme depends not just on the Relevant Authorities but on the input and co-operation of everyone with an interest in the Firth. It has therefore been developed through a consultative process, involving a wide range of organisations and businesses and members of the public.

'Revision 1' of the Management Scheme was published in 2002.

Geographical Information System for the cSAC
A Geographical Information System (GIS) map has been developed by the Highland Council, with assistance from members of the SAC Management Group. This provides map based information on the activities identified in the Management Scheme.

Monitoring
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is responsible for monitoring the condition of all sites designated for their natural heritage interest – this work is carried out under their Site Condition Monitoring programme. In order to assist in this process, SNH contracted the University of Aberdeen in November 2003 to develop detailed options for a strategy for monitoring and subsequent reporting of the status of the bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth SAC.

For further detail see:
Thompson PM, Lusseau, D, Corkrey, R and Hammond, PS (2004) Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin monitoring strategy options. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 079 (ROAME No. F02AA409).


For further information about the development, implementation or monitoring of the Management Scheme please contact:

The Moray Firth Partnership
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
E-mail: [ ]

Useful addresses
For further information about Special Areas of Conservation and the Natura 2000 network visit the following:

Eurosite
Joint Nature Conservancy Council (JNCC)
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish Natural Heritage
UK Marine SACs Project

(The Moray Firth Partnership accepts no responsibility for the content or information contained in any of the sites listed. This list is provided for information only.)