The aim of this report is to document the analysis conducted by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in 2007-2009 for the identification of the most suitable areas for the protection of seabirds within the British Fishery Limit. It provides a description of the data used, details of the methods, and intermediate and final results. The discussion also contains an assessment of which of the areas identified could be considered as possible Special Protection Areas, and which areas would require further investigation.
The report does not provide a suite of definite sites for submission to the European Commission, but provides necessary information for the responsible authorities to enable an informed decision to be made on the suitability of areas at sea for consideration as possible Special Protection Areas using the best available data. Final recommendations for the consideration of possible SPAs will be given in a separate further paper.