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Special Areas of Conservation

Moray Firth

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Extra-Regio
Centroid* NH976821
Latitude 57.81694444
Longitude -3.725555556
SAC EU Code UK0019808
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 151273.99
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Moray Firth SAC

General site character

  • Marine areas, Sea inlets (100%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 1349 Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus

    The Moray Firth in north-east Scotland supports the only known resident population of bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus in the North Sea. The population is estimated to be around 130 individuals (Wilson et al. 1999). Dolphins are present all year round, and, while they range widely in the Moray Firth, they appear to favour particular areas.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.