Investigating the existing coverage and subsequent gaps in protection and providing guidance on representativity and replication for a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas in England’s territorial waters

In seeking to deliver an ecologically coherent network Defra have adopted a series of network design principles. Representativity and replication are two of the principles adopted. Defining and identifying important marine features and protecting examples of them is an essential first step in developing this coherent network. This report results from research commissioned to investigate the existing coverage and gaps in protection and provide guidance on representativity and replication for a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas in England’s territorial waters.