The WISE WFD protected areas data set contains the location of areas which have been designated as requiring special protection of their surface water and groundwater, or for the conservation of habitats and species directly depending on water, including economically significant aquatic species (e.g. shellfish).
According to the Article 6 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD, Directive 2000/60/EC), Member States shall ensure the establishment of a register of all areas lying within each River Basin District which have been designated as requiring special protection under specific Community legislation for the protection of their surface water and groundwater, or for the conservation of habitats and species directly depending on water, including the protection of Natura 2000 sites and economically significant aquatic species (e.g. shellfish).