Editing Kattegat (section)

== Protections and regulation ==
[[File:Vista de Greenen.JPG|thumb|Grenen in Denmark is important for bird migrations and is a protected area.]]
[[File:Hovs hallar.JPG|thumb|Bjärekusten Nature Reserve with Hovs Hallar in Sweden.]]
Due to its very heavy sea traffic and many large coastal settlements, the Kattegat has been designated as a [[Sulphur Emission Control Area]] as part of the Baltic Sea since 2006. As from 1 January 2016 the benchmark for sulphur in fuels was lowered to 0.1%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://readmt.com/analysis/article/2014/08/12/new-environmental-requirements-may-lead-to-distortion-of-competition/ |title=New sulphur regulations may lead to distortion of competition in the shipping industry |publisher=MT Online |date=12 August 2014 |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126111730/http://readmt.com/analysis/article/2014/08/12/new-environmental-requirements-may-lead-to-distortion-of-competition/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Several large areas of the Kattegat are designated under Natura 2000 and various bird protections such as the [[Ramsar Convention]]. The remaining larger shallow reefs are among the protections, as they are important spawning and feeding grounds for fish and marine mammals and  support a thriving but threatened [[biodiversity]]. Protected areas include:

'''Denmark'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://naturstyrelsen.dk/naturbeskyttelse/natura-2000/ |title=Natura 2000 |publisher=Danish Nature Agency |language=da |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210024351/http://naturstyrelsen.dk/naturbeskyttelse/natura-2000/ |archive-date=10 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Grenen]]
* The Bay of Aalborg, comprising a {{convert|1774|km2|abbr=on}} shallow sea area.
* [[Beach meadow]]s on [[Læsø]] and the stony [[reef]]s south of the island.
* [[Anholt (Denmark)|Anholt]] and the sea north of the island.

'''Sweden'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naturvardsverket.se/natura2000# |title=Natura 2000 |publisher=Swedish Environmental Protection Agency |language=sv |access-date=19 January 2016 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126085841/http://www.naturvardsverket.se/natura2000 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The [[Nordre älv]] [[estuary]] north of Gothenburg. An important spot for migratory birds and fish.
* The [[Vrångö]] archipelago (Swedish: ''Vrångöskärgården''), part of the [[Archipelago of Gothenburg]]. An important reproduction area for seabirds and seals.
* [[Kungsbacka Fjord]]. A shallow water fjord between Gothenburg and [[Varberg]], including important [[salt marsh]]es. 
* [[Hovs Hallar]] 
* [[Kullaberg Nature Reserve]]