Marine Nature Reserves are a way of conserving
specially important marine habitats and wildlife, and other
features along the shore or on the seabed.
Skomer, the first and only MNR in Wales, was established in 1990
and is situated around the island of Skomer and the Marloes
Peninsula in south west Wales.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 empowers CCW to apply to
the First Minister for the National Assembly for Wales (NAW) to
designate MNR. To give some protection, MNR may be governed by
byelaws, created through discussions and mutual agreements with all
concerned, and approved by NAW.
MNR make a valuable contribution to the protection of our seas
by creating an awareness of the fragility and value of the natural
marine heritage.