The UK’s offshore environment consists of waters beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast out to British Fishery Limits or the median line.
The geography of the UK comes under the jurisdiction of four separate governments (see UK Implementation of the CBD).
Implementation of the CBD in the UK’s offshore environment is largely the responsibility of the Devolved Administrations for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales respectively, and the UK Government for England (see here for further details of devolution in the UK). However, biodiversity conservation measures within Northern Irish offshore waters are reserved to the UK Government, this includes the designation and management of protected areas.
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