The following MPAs are in place within UK waters and specifically name cetaceans as a qualifying feature.
- Cardigan Bay/Bae Ceredigion SAC with bottlenose dolphin considered as a qualifying feature.
- Pen Llyn a`r Sarnau/ Lleyn Peninsula and the Sarnau SAC with bottlenose dolphin considered a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection.
- Moray Firth SAC with bottlenose dolphin considered as a qualifying feature.
- Skerries and Causeway SAC with harbour porpoise considered as a qualifying feature.
- Southern North Sea SCI, harbour porpoise qualifying feature
- Bristol Channel Approaches SCI, harbour porpoise qualifying feature
- West Wales Marine SCI, harbour porpoise qualifying feature
- North Anglesey Marine SCI, harbour porpoise qualifying feature
- North Channel SCI, harbour porpoise qualifying feature
- Inner Hebrides and the Minches SCI, harbour porpoise qualifying feature
Other protected areas including other Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NC MPAs), and Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) are in place for other features in the UK (and the management measures associated with them) which will indirectly contribute to the conservation of cetaceans in UK waters. Web-based Site Information Centres now exist for all designated offshore sites, detailing site summary information, and regularly updated information on conservation objectives, data and management.
The 28 species of cetacean recorded in UK waters are protected within a strong legal regime which encompasses both international commitments and national laws. Ten Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are in place within UK waters specifically naming cetaceans as a qualifying feature and 31 MPAs specifically naming cetaceans as a non-qualifying feature.