Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (S.I. 1013 of 2017).

These Regulations implement for the United Kingdom provisions of Council Directive 2009/147/EEC on the conservation of wild birds and Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora in relation to marine areas where the United Kingdom has jurisdiction beyond its territorial sea, i.e. the offshore marine area (defined in these Regulations), offshore marine installations and certain ships and aircraft. The Regulations enable the Welsh Ministers to carry out certain functions (which are currently functions of the Secretary of State) in offshore waters adjacent to Wales. These functions include the selection, notification and designation of special areas of conservation as required by the Habitats Directive and the granting of licences for certain activities that would otherwise constitute an offence in the Welsh offshore region in respect of European protected species.
The Regulations provide generally for the conservation of natural habitats and habitats of species. Specifically they, among other things, require competent authorities to establish conservation measures in respect of special areas of conservation in the offshore marine area that have been designated under these Regulations, provide with respect to registration, the selection, registration and notification of sites, defines offences for purposes of protection of wild animals, require the Secretary of State to make arrangements for surveillance and monitoring of species and habitats in the offshore marine area and to take further action for the protection of species.