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Government of Jerseygov.je

Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021 guidance

​​​​​​​​​​About the Wildlife Law

The Wildlife Law protects and conserves in Jersey and its territorial waters:

  • wild animals
  • birds
  • plants

You’re committing an offence under the law if you carry out deliberate or reckless acts affecting protected species. This includes if you kill or capture protected wild animals or birds or disturb or damage 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.

You need a licence to carry out activities that would otherwise be illegal under the law.

This includes:

  • picking a protected plant
  • disturbing, handling or taking a protected species from the wild
  • interfering with the nest, den, breeding site or resting site of a protected species
  • using certain methods of capturing non-protected species of wild animal or bird

Find more information and apply for protected species licences.

Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021

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 get advice from the relevant professional 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:

Schedule​
Protected species listed
1Wild animals including mammals, invertebrates, fish, amphibians and reptiles
2Wild birds
3Wild animals and wild birds whose dens or nests are protected at all times 
4Wild animals whose breeding sites and resting sites are protected
5Wild birds whose breeding sites and resting sites are protected
6Wild birds and wild animals which are protected from disturbance
7Wild birds and wild animals which may not be held in captivity for longer than 48 hours
8Wild plants, including wild fungi, algae and lichen
9Devices, substances or methods that may not be used to capture wild animals
10Devices, substances or methods th​at may not be used to capture wild birds
11Devices and substances of which possession is prohibited
12Animals and birds which may be released into the wild
13Prohibited invasive non-native (INN) species that may not be possessed nor sold


Summary table of protected species and their protection under the wildlife law​

Review of the schedules

We’re currently undertaking the first QQR of the Schedules under the Wildlife Law.

Following the consultation earlier this year, we’re proposing the below changes to the Schedules under the Wildlife Law.

Species proposed to be added for protection

Common name
Latin nameType of species
Yellow-wortBlackstonia perfoliataPlant
Fragile stonewortChara globularisPlant
Marsh helleborineEpipactis palustrisPlant
Broad-leaved Sea-lavenderLimonium auriculae-ursifoliumPlant
Fennel pondweedStuckenia pectinataPlant
Not applicable
Inocybe griseotardaFungi
Not applicable
Mycenastrum coriumFungi
Not applicable
Scleroderma meridionaleFungi
Large chequered skipperHeteropterus morpheusInvertebrate
European eel (as required by the OSPAR convention)Anguilla anguillaFish

​Species proposed to increase the level of protection

Common name
Latin nameType of species
Lesser white-toothed shrew Crocidura suaveolensMammal
Millet's shrew   Sorex coronatusMammal
Common shelduck Tadorna tadorna       Bird
Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis           Bird





We’re analysing and scoring all evidence submitted during the consultation. The results will be incorporated into a series of final recommendations on any changes to the schedules.

The report and recommendations will be published before the end of the year. 

You can comment on the proposed changes until 26 July 2024: 

  • email wildlifelicensing@gov.je​
  • post to Land Resource Management Team, Howard Davis Farm, La Route de la Trinité, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5JP

About the Quinquennial Review (QQR)

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)

ASPs are areas of land that 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)​

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