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Defining Feature Condition Categories for The Environmental Targets (Marine Protected Areas) Regulations 2023 2026

Abstract

This report, produced jointly by JNCC and Natural England, explains how the condition of protected habitats and species within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will be assessed to meet the Environmental Targets (Marine Protected Areas) Regulations 2023.

These regulations require that by 2042 at least 70% of protected MPA features must be in favourable condition, with the remainder in recovering condition. To support consistent reporting toward this target, the report defines six condition categories –favourable, recovering, unfavourable, part destroyed, destroyed, and unknown – and outlines how these categories should be applied using evidence from ecological monitoring, management measures, and regulatory decisions.

This report may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need a copy in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2026·03·01

Lineage
This report was produced by JNCC in collaboration with Natural England.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2026·03·26

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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