About the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021
The
Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021 protects and conserves wild animals, birds and plants in Jersey, and its territorial waters.
The law makes it an offence to carry out deliberate or reckless acts affecting protected species. This includes killing and capturing species and disturbing or damaging of nests, dens, and breeding sites.
Protected species include:
- wild fungi
- plants
- invertebrates
- fish
- amphibians
- reptiles
- birds
- mammals
Different levels of protection apply depending on the conservation of the species. There are defences and exceptions for some activities.
The wildlife law is the primary legislation for nature conservation purposes for Jersey.
Guidance on protected species
The guidance gives you information on the provisions of the law and what they mean to different species groups. It explains:
- what could be considered offences in terms of disturbance to different species groups
- what is considered to constitute their breeding sites and resting sites
- what actions might damage or destroy breeding sites and resting sites
You should seek professional advice if you're:
- planning works or an activity that may affect a protected species or its habitat
- not sure if protected species are present on your property
Protected amphibian and reptile species guidance
Protected bats species guidance
Protected birds species guidance
Protected marine species guidance
Lists of protected species
The protected species are listed in the schedules of the law:
| 1 | Wild animals including mammals, invertebrates, fish, amphibians and reptiles |
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| 2 | Wild birds |
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| 3 | Wild animals and wild birds whose dens or nests are protected at all times |
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| 4 | Wild animals whose breeding sites and resting sites are protected |
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| 5 | Wild birds whose breeding sites and resting sites are protected |
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| 6 | Wild birds and wild animals which are protected from disturbance |
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| 7 | Wild birds and wild animals which may not be held in captivity for longer than 48 hours |
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| 8 | Wild plants, including wild fungi, algae and lichen |
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| 9 | Devices, substances or methods that may not be used to capture wild animals |
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| 10 | Devices, substances or methods that may not be used to capture wild birds |
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| 11 | Devices and substances of which possession is prohibited |
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| 12 | Animals and birds which may be released into the wild |
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| 13 | Prohibited invasive non-native (INN) species that may not be possessed nor sold
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Summary table of protected species and their protection under the wildlife law
Review of the schedules
The lists of protected species are reviewed every 5 years to reflect the local and international conservation needs of each species. This is called the Quinquennial Review (QQR).
Each species is evaluated against a set of criteria based on the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines adapted to Jersey. The review results are used to make changes to the schedules. This could be adding, removing or amending the level of protection of a species.
We carry out the review in consultation with local specialist groups and conservation bodies.
Criteria for listing of species in the Schedules to the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021
Areas of Special Protection (ASP’s)
ASP’s are areas designated under the law. They provide legal protection for wild animals, birds or plants from disturbance or harm during critical phases of their life cycle.
Areas of Special Protection (ASP)
gov.je