Designated for the protection of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, the Bristol Channel Approaches SAC extends across the western approaches to the Bristol Channel, from Carmarthen Bay to the north coast of Devon and Cornwall.

This site supports an estimated 4.7% of the UK Celtic and Irish Sea (CIS) Management Unit (MU) harbour porpoise population. The area is recognised as important for porpoises particularly during the winter when high densities persistently occur throughout the site.

The conservation objectives are to ensure harbour porpoise is a viable component of the site, to prevent significant disturbance to the species, and to maintain the health of supporting habitats and prey.

Further information is available here.