| The Severn Estuary is one of the largest estuaries
in the UK and is managed and used by a wide range of organisations
and individuals. It supports populations of wild birds that are
of European importance, and in recognition of this the Estuary was
classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in 1995. The Severn
Estuary is also a Ramsar site and a candidate Special Area of Conservation
(cSAC). Where a SPA, such as the Severn Estuary, or Special Area
of Conservation (SAC) incorporate subtidal and/or intertidal areas,
they are referred to as European Marine Sites (EMS). The marine
part of the Severn Estuary SPA/cSAC is therefore termed a European
Marine Site. It is part of a network of sites known as Natura
2000, sites for nature conservation throughout Europe.
The designation covers the intertidal area eastwards of a line
between Lavernock Point on the Welsh coast and Brean Down on the
English coast. A map shows the area of the
Severn Estuary Special Protection Area.
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