Wyre and Rousay Sounds NCMPA - designation documents

A remarkable area within the Orkney Islands archipelago is recognised by the Wyre and Rousay Sounds Nature Conservation MPA.

The site was designated for its maerl beds and kelp and seaweed communities. Its inclusion in the MPA network ensures the protection of these marine habitats across their full geographic range in Scottish waters.

Conservation objectives

Conserve the protected features within the Wyre and Rousay Sounds NCMPA

Protected features

Biodiversity:

  • kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment
  • maerl beds

Geodiversity: marine geomorphology of the Scottish shelf seabed

Related links

Wyre and Rousay Sounds Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2014

Document downloads

Marine Protected Area - Site Summary - Wyre and Rousay Sounds

pdf, 1.99MB

Marine Protected Area - designation map - Wyre and Rousay Sounds

pdf, 15.74MB

Marine Protected Area - Data confidence assessment - Wyre and Rousay Sounds

pdf, 3.29MB

Marine Protected Area - management options paper - Wyre and Rousay Sounds

pdf, 1.64MB

Marine Protected Area - Detailed Assessment Against the MPA Selection Guidelines - Wyre and Rousay Sounds

pdf, 943.24kB

Contact

Marine Protected Areas

[email protected]

Disclaimer: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has changed its name to NatureScot as of the 24th August 2020. 
At the time of publishing, this document may still refer to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and include the original branding. It may also contain broken links to the old domain.
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