England's first Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) was named under the Marine and Coastal Access Act on Tuesday (January 12th).
The waters around Lundy Island in Devon were selected for the landmark project.
Four regional initiatives are underway around the country to identify further areas to be designated as MCZs in the future.
Under the act, a network of protected areas will be established with the aim of safeguarding England's marine habitats and species.
Huw Irranca-Davies, minister for the marine environment, commented: "We can't always see what is happening to the wildlife and habitats under our seas, but they need just the same protection as those on land."
He added that this is the first legislation in the world to specifically protect marine habitats.
Lundy Island was previously classified as a marine nature reserve before its status changed to an MCZ.
Regions currently discussing potential MCZs are located in the south-east and south-west of England, while a further two panels are focusing their attentions on the Irish Sea and North Sea respectively.
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