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Previous JNCC Committee Papers

Before potential offshore SACs are formally recommended to Government they must be approved by JNCC Committee. JNCC Committee are kept regularly updated on progress with the SAC network and all major decisions must receive formal Committee approval.

Past Committee Papers Relating to Offshore SACs and the UK Marine SAC Network

Meeting	Paper
June 2010 JNCC 10 P04	Site proposal for Pisces Reef Complex - in confidence This paper was provided to the meeting in confidence.
December 2009 JNCC 09 P21 JNCC 09 P22 JNCC 09 P23	Maintaining favourable conservation status of harbour porpoise in UK waters (December 2009) A review of the conservation status of harbour porpoise in UK waters including the contribution that SACs can make to achieving favourable conservation status. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee discussed the paper and agreed on some revisions to be made. JNCC Committee agreed that a revised version of the paper (JNCC 09 P21a) should be sent to the Minister. Review of the site boundary of Dogger Bank draft SAC A review of the site boundary for the Dogger Bank dSAC following two peer reviews of the scientific justification for the site and the proposed boundary. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee agreed that JNCC staff look in more detail at the 'Valentine' option, reanalysing JNCC's data using Valentine's terms of reference. JNCC Committee agreed that a small sub-group of the Committee would consider the results and bring them back to Committee for consideration. JNCC Committee agreed that the independent reviewer that supported the 2008 JNCC proposal should be asked to comment on the scientific approach adopted by Valentine. Review of harbour porpoise as a qualifying feature of the Dogger Bank draft SAC A review of the grading of harbour porpoise at the Dogger Bank draft SAC from a C grade (qualifying feature) down to a D grade (non-qualifying feature). Meeting outcome: Following discussion of the available scientific evidence, JNCC Committee agreed that there was not a convincing case to include harbour porpoise as a C-grade feature of the Dogger Bank draft SAC, and that Government should formally be advised that harbour porpoise be treated as a non-qualifying (D-grade) feature.
September 2009 JNCC 09 P19	Maintaining favourable conservation status of harbour porpoise in UK waters - in confidence This paper was provided to the meeting in confidence. An updated version of the paper was submitted to the December 2009 meeting (see above).
June 2009 JNCC 09 P07	Site proposal for Wight-Barfleur Reef This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of Wight-Barfleur Reef to be progressed for recommendation to Government as a draft SAC. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee endorsed the proposal.
March 2009 JNCC 09 P05	Recommendations for two offshore SACs to complement two English inshore SACs and recommendations for six English inshore SACs This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge and Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton to be progressed for recommendation to Government as draft SACs. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee endorsed the proposals for the offshore component at Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge and Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton and confirmed the contribution of the six English inshore sites to the UK SAC network.
December 2008 JNCC 08 P14	Progress towards completing the UK network of marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for Annex I Habitats and site proposals for Hatton Bank and Bassurelle Bank This paper reviews ongoing work on the SAC series in the marine environment and considers future site proposals in the context of the network for sandbanks and reefs. Two new offshore areas, Hatton Bank in the North-West Approaches and Bassurelle Sandbank in the Eastern English Channel, were considered by Committee for recommendation to Government as draft SACs. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee suggested minor amendements to the paper to improve consistency and accuracy (paper updated February 2009). JNCC approved the approach taken to complete the UK contribution to the Natura network for Annex I habitats and approved the offshore SAC proposals for Hatton Bank and Bassurelle Sandbank.
September 2008 JNCC 08 P10	Threshold for designation of SACs for harbour porpoise This paper puts forward a protocol to be considered for the grading of harbour porpoise at sites where a boundary has been defined for a habitat SAC. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee approved the paper.
September 2008 JNCC 08 P09	Completing the SAC series for subtidal sandbanks This paper was provided in confidence.
June 2008 JNCC 08 P07	Process for Joint Committee endorsement of its report to the Secretary of State on the statutory consultation with respect to seven possible offshore Special Areas of Conservation This paper was provided in confidence.
December 2007 JNCC 07 P18	Progress in identification of offshore Special Areas of Conservation This paper was provided in confidence.
June 2007 JNCC 07 N04	Update on draft offshore SACs for Annex I habitats This paper outlines changes made to the documentation for the first seven draft offshore SACs, changes to be made to the boundaries of certain sites and plans for forthcoming Areas of Search for offshore Annex I habitat. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.
December 2006 JNCC 06 N09	Towards achieving a representative suite of marine habitat SACs for UK waters: update on progress This paper outlines progress in identifying the offshore SAC network for Annex I marine habitats. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.
September 2005 JNCC 05 P10	Marine Natura 2000 This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of North Norfolk Sandbanks, Stanton Banks and Braemar Pockmarks to be progressed for designation as SACs, presents draft conservation objectives and management actions for Haig Fras, Wyville Thomson Ridge, Dogger Bank and Scanner Pockmark and presents advice on identification for areas suitable for recommendation as SACs for bottlenose dolphins in UK offshore waters. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee authorised the Chairman to advise Defra of the three new areas to be recommended to Government as suitable for designation as SACs and the advice regarding recommendation of offshore SACs for bottlenose dolphin.
December 2004 JNCC 04 P23	Marine Natura 2000: Progress in identifying SACs for Annex I habitats, including proposals for four offshore habitat SACs This paper outlines progress on offshore Natura 2000 sites and provides evidence to support the recommendation of Haig Fras, Wyville Thomson Ridge, Scanner Pockmark and Dogger Bank to be progressed for designation as SACs. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee authorised the Chairman to advise Defra of the four new areas to be recommended to Government as suitable for designation as SACs.
June 2004 JNCC 04 P09	Marine Natura 2000: Process for consideration of offshore SACs and SPAs which cross the 12 nautical mile boundary This paper recommends a process to be followed for the progression of sites that cross the 12 nautical mile boundary and a process to be followed for the submission of offshore SAC proposals to JNCC Committee. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee delegated to the Chairman the authority for agreeing site proposals where at least 90% of the site is inshore and approved the process of submission of offshore SAC proposals.
March 2004 JNCC 04 P05	Marine Natura 2000: Update on progress in marine Natura This paper recommended five offshore areas (Pockmark near Braemar oil field, Scanner pockmark, Saturn Sabellaria spinulosa reef, Haig Fras and Wyville Thomson Ridge) for recommendation to government as SACs. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee requested the proposals be returned for consideration at a future meeting supported by the rationale, method and process for site selection and an appropriate information package justifying the proposals and the procedure by which Committee will decide on SACs.
September 2003 JNCC 03 D09	The 'network' concept applied to the selection of marine Natura 2000 sites This paper summarises the concept of coherent ecological networks and interprets the concept in relation to the prospective UK network of marine protected sites. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee requested the Marine Natura 2000 Project Group to develop further the network concept in the context of marine SACs.
March 2003 JNCC 03 P01	Marine Natura 2000 This paper requests the approval of guidance for defining the seaward boundaries of habitat SACs away from the coast, the methodology for the selection of offshore habitat SACs and invites discussion on the level of biological information needed to select an offshore habitat SAC. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee approved the guidance and methodology outlined in the paper.
September 2002 JNCC 02 P17	Marine Natura 2000 This paper summarises the context of the ongoing work on marine Natura sites and sets out draft guidance for defining the seaward boundaries of habitat SACs away from the coast. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee provided comment on the draft guidance.
June 2002 JNCC 02 P10	Darwin Mounds proposed Special Area of Conservation This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of Darwin Mounds to be progressed for designation as an SAC. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee authorised the Chairman to advise Defra that the Darwin Mounds was suitable for designation as an SAC.
March 2002 JNCC 02 D01	Process for completing the marine Natura 2000 site series This paper summarises progress on the establishment of legal protection measures, reports on the work currently being undertaken to complete the UK marine series of SACs and SPAs and considers a future process for completing this work. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee agreed to adopt the suggestions outlined in the paper, subject to the points made.
September 2001 JNCC 01 N07	Offshore Natura 2000 sites: Progress update This paper outlines progress on the offshore Natura 2000 sites since the June 2000 Committee meeting. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.
June 2000 JNCC 00 P15	Offshore SACs and SPAs: Recent progress This paper outlines progess on offshore Natura 2000 sites since the March 2000 meeting. Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.
March 2000 JNCC 00 P08	Offshore Special Areas of Conservation: Progress and issues This paper describes the outcome and some implications for the country conservation agencies and JNCC of the High Court order of 5 November 1999 on the geographical limits of the Habitats Directive. Meeting outcome: Committee agreed that the Natura 2000 Steering Group would be charged with taking forward the issue.

Meeting

Paper

June 2010

JNCC 10 P04

Site proposal for Pisces Reef Complex - in confidence

This paper was provided to the meeting in confidence.

December 2009

JNCC 09 P21

JNCC 09 P22

JNCC 09 P23

Maintaining favourable conservation status of harbour porpoise in UK waters (December 2009)

A review of the conservation status of harbour porpoise in UK waters including the contribution that SACs can make to achieving favourable conservation status.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee discussed the paper and agreed on some revisions to be made. JNCC Committee agreed that a revised version of the paper (JNCC 09 P21a) should be sent to the Minister.

Review of the site boundary of Dogger Bank draft SAC

A review of the site boundary for the Dogger Bank dSAC following two peer reviews of the scientific justification for the site and the proposed boundary.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee agreed that JNCC staff look in more detail at the 'Valentine' option, reanalysing JNCC's data using Valentine's terms of reference. JNCC Committee agreed that a small sub-group of the Committee would consider the results and bring them back to Committee for consideration. JNCC Committee agreed that the independent reviewer that supported the 2008 JNCC proposal should be asked to comment on the scientific approach adopted by Valentine.

Review of harbour porpoise as a qualifying feature of the Dogger Bank draft SAC

A review of the grading of harbour porpoise at the Dogger Bank draft SAC from a C grade (qualifying feature) down to a D grade (non-qualifying feature).

Meeting outcome: Following discussion of the available scientific evidence, JNCC Committee agreed that there was not a convincing case to include harbour porpoise as a C-grade feature of the Dogger Bank draft SAC, and that Government should formally be advised that harbour porpoise be treated as a non-qualifying (D-grade) feature.

September 2009

JNCC 09 P19

Maintaining favourable conservation status of harbour porpoise in UK waters - in confidence

This paper was provided to the meeting in confidence. An updated version of the paper was submitted to the December 2009 meeting (see above).

June 2009

JNCC 09 P07

Site proposal for Wight-Barfleur Reef

This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of Wight-Barfleur Reef to be progressed for recommendation to Government as a draft SAC.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee endorsed the proposal.

March 2009

JNCC 09 P05

Recommendations for two offshore SACs to complement two English inshore SACs and recommendations for six English inshore SACs

This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge and Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton to be progressed for recommendation to Government as draft SACs.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee endorsed the proposals for the offshore component at Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge and Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton and confirmed the contribution of the six English inshore sites to the UK SAC network.

December 2008

JNCC 08 P14

Progress towards completing the UK network of marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for Annex I Habitats and site proposals for Hatton Bank and Bassurelle Bank

This paper reviews ongoing work on the SAC series in the marine environment and considers future site proposals in the context of the network for sandbanks and reefs. Two new offshore areas, Hatton Bank in the North-West Approaches and Bassurelle Sandbank in the Eastern English Channel, were considered by Committee for recommendation to Government as draft SACs.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee suggested minor amendements to the paper to improve consistency and accuracy (paper updated February 2009). JNCC approved the approach taken to complete the UK contribution to the Natura network for Annex I habitats and approved the offshore SAC proposals for Hatton Bank and Bassurelle Sandbank.

September 2008

JNCC 08 P10

Threshold for designation of SACs for harbour porpoise

This paper puts forward a protocol to be considered for the grading of harbour porpoise at sites where a boundary has been defined for a habitat SAC.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee approved the paper.

September 2008

JNCC 08 P09

Completing the SAC series for subtidal sandbanks

This paper was provided in confidence.

June 2008

JNCC 08 P07

Process for Joint Committee endorsement of its report to the Secretary of State on the statutory consultation with respect to seven possible offshore Special Areas of Conservation

This paper was provided in confidence.

December 2007

JNCC 07 P18

Progress in identification of offshore Special Areas of Conservation

This paper was provided in confidence.

June 2007

JNCC 07 N04

Update on draft offshore SACs for Annex I habitats

This paper outlines changes made to the documentation for the first seven draft offshore SACs, changes to be made to the boundaries of certain sites and plans for forthcoming Areas of Search for offshore Annex I habitat.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.

December 2006

JNCC 06 N09

Towards achieving a representative suite of marine habitat SACs for UK waters: update on progress

This paper outlines progress in identifying the offshore SAC network for Annex I marine habitats.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.

September 2005

JNCC 05 P10

Marine Natura 2000

This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of North Norfolk Sandbanks, Stanton Banks and Braemar Pockmarks to be progressed for designation as SACs, presents draft conservation objectives and management actions for Haig Fras, Wyville Thomson Ridge, Dogger Bank and Scanner Pockmark and presents advice on identification for areas suitable for recommendation as SACs for bottlenose dolphins in UK offshore waters.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee authorised the Chairman to advise Defra of the three new areas to be recommended to Government as suitable for designation as SACs and the advice regarding recommendation of offshore SACs for bottlenose dolphin.

December 2004

JNCC 04 P23

Marine Natura 2000: Progress in identifying SACs for Annex I habitats, including proposals for four offshore habitat SACs

This paper outlines progress on offshore Natura 2000 sites and provides evidence to support the recommendation of Haig Fras, Wyville Thomson Ridge, Scanner Pockmark and Dogger Bank to be progressed for designation as SACs.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee authorised the Chairman to advise Defra of the four new areas to be recommended to Government as suitable for designation as SACs.

June 2004

JNCC 04 P09

Marine Natura 2000: Process for consideration of offshore SACs and SPAs which cross the 12 nautical mile boundary

This paper recommends a process to be followed for the progression of sites that cross the 12 nautical mile boundary and a process to be followed for the submission of offshore SAC proposals to JNCC Committee.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee delegated to the Chairman the authority for agreeing site proposals where at least 90% of the site is inshore and approved the process of submission of offshore SAC proposals.

March 2004

JNCC 04 P05

Marine Natura 2000: Update on progress in marine Natura

This paper recommended five offshore areas (Pockmark near Braemar oil field, Scanner pockmark, Saturn Sabellaria spinulosa reef, Haig Fras and Wyville Thomson Ridge) for recommendation to government as SACs.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee requested the proposals be returned for consideration at a future meeting supported by the rationale, method and process for site selection and an appropriate information package justifying the proposals and the procedure by which Committee will decide on SACs.

September 2003

JNCC 03 D09

The 'network' concept applied to the selection of marine Natura 2000 sites

This paper summarises the concept of coherent ecological networks and interprets the concept in relation to the prospective UK network of marine protected sites.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee requested the Marine Natura 2000 Project Group to develop further the network concept in the context of marine SACs.

March 2003

JNCC 03 P01

Marine Natura 2000

This paper requests the approval of guidance for defining the seaward boundaries of habitat SACs away from the coast, the methodology for the selection of offshore habitat SACs and invites discussion on the level of biological information needed to select an offshore habitat SAC.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee approved the guidance and methodology outlined in the paper.

September 2002

JNCC 02 P17

Marine Natura 2000

This paper summarises the context of the ongoing work on marine Natura sites and sets out draft guidance for defining the seaward boundaries of habitat SACs away from the coast.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee provided comment on the draft guidance.

June 2002

JNCC 02 P10

Darwin Mounds proposed Special Area of Conservation

This paper provides evidence to support the recommendation of Darwin Mounds to be progressed for designation as an SAC.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee authorised the Chairman to advise Defra that the Darwin Mounds was suitable for designation as an SAC.

March 2002

JNCC 02 D01

Process for completing the marine Natura 2000 site series

This paper summarises progress on the establishment of legal protection measures, reports on the work currently being undertaken to complete the UK marine series of SACs and SPAs and considers a future process for completing this work.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee agreed to adopt the suggestions outlined in the paper, subject to the points made.

September 2001

JNCC 01 N07

Offshore Natura 2000 sites: Progress update

This paper outlines progress on the offshore Natura 2000 sites since the June 2000 Committee meeting.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.

June 2000

JNCC 00 P15

Offshore SACs and SPAs: Recent progress

This paper outlines progess on offshore Natura 2000 sites since the March 2000 meeting.

Meeting outcome: JNCC Committee noted the paper.

March 2000

JNCC 00 P08

Offshore Special Areas of Conservation: Progress and issues

This paper describes the outcome and some implications for the country conservation agencies and JNCC of the High Court order of 5 November 1999 on the geographical limits of the Habitats Directive.

Meeting outcome: Committee agreed that the Natura 2000 Steering Group would be charged with taking forward the issue.