Other area based measures contributing to the MPA network
A Marine Protected Area network is designed to conserve a scientific selection of both marine biodiversity (species and habitats) and geodiversity (the variety of landforms and natural processes that underpin the marine landscapes), offering long-term support for the services our seas provide to society. In the 2012 "Report to the Scottish Parliament on Progress to Identify a Scottish Network of Marine Protected Areas", eight fisheries restriction areas were considered to contribute to the MPA network as existing "other area based measures". Four of these areas overlap with Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and have now been removed from the list.