Forms one of a number of European Marine Sites in the UK. As a SPA and a RAMSAR wetland, it is of outstanding national and international importance for its assemblages of waterfowl and migratory species of bird.
The harbour provides a relatively sheltered environment compared to the open coast. Over-wintering waterfowl such as avocet, shelduck, dunlin and passage waterfowl such as Black-tailed godwit visit the inter-tidal mudflats, sandflats, reedbeds and saltmarsh to feed and roost.

The aim of the European designation is to provide a stronghold for these habitats and the species they support through appropriate management measures. This is achieved by cooperation between the relevant regulating authorities, landowners, businesses and public who use the harbour and takes into account the economic, cultural, social and recreational needs of the local community.

The Habitat Regulations 1994 implementing the Habitats Directive which protect this designated site, requires that all relevant and competent authorities exercise their functions so as to avoid damage or deterioration to the nature conservation features for which the site is designated.

Poole Harbour qualified for designation as a SPA in 1999 against a background of current use. English Nature in November 2000 produced advice given under Regulation 33(2) of the Habitat Regulations, defining to other relevant authorities the conservation objectives for the site and any operations which may cause deterioration or disturbance to the designated features of the SPA, providing the scope and nature of 'appropriate assessments' for proposed plans and projects. English Nature have since designed a monitoring program, and during the 2000-2006 reporting period an assessment of the condition of the site will be made to check that favourable condition is being maintained.

New plans and projects are subject to special provisions in the Habitat Regulations. The Poole Harbour Steering Group who act as the Management Group for the SPA, during 2002 produced an Advice Note to guide applicants through the requirements of the assessment process for their plan or project.

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Poole Harbour Commissioners licence for works under the Poole Harbour Act 1914