By 1990, the UK had three marine reserves –measuring 200km2 throughout the entirety of the British Isles. These – to some degree – protected species and habitats from damaging activity. Added to this was the nascent European marine protected area network, called Natura 2000 as a result of the Habitats and Birds Directives – EU Directives designed to protect and restore biodiversity as a result of the original Rio Biodiversity Convention (COP) in 1992.