Description: This layer consists of all Marine Protected Areas that are designated within Northern Irelands Marine Plan extent. They include SAC, SPA, pSPA, Ramsar, MCZ and ASSI with marine components in both inshore and offshore regions. All polygons were merged using ArcGIS geoprocessing tools. The layer was then re-projected from their respective projections to WGS84 using Arc data management tools and then merged using ArcGIS geoprocessing data management tools. The attribution also describes the MPAs Management Authority and provides a hyperlink with more information regarding the protected features and management of these areas where applicable or available. The designated features were extracted from DAERA Features Database and DAERA websites and further information can be accessed in the hyperlinked page. It should be noted that a review of bird species protected under ASSI legislation is being undertaken by DAERA ornithologists and the species list may change after this review. Dec 2020