Although the VMR, being voluntary, has no legal protection, its value is enhanced by the fact that it lies within several other conservation areas. The most recent is the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site (EMS), designated under European law, indicating the international importance of the area. The EMS protects habitats such as the rocky reefs, sea caves and cliffs for breeding sea birds against any damaging practices.

Adjacent to much of the coastal boundary of the Marine Reserve lies the St Abb�s Head National Nature Reserve (NNR) which is home to one of the largest mainland breeding seabird colonies in the UK, and important maritime flora.

One very important designation for the area, the Static Gear Reserve, was actually established using fisheries legislation and its primary aim is to protect the traditional commercial creel fishery from damage by mobile fishing gear such as trawls. However, this also has the knock on effect of protecting the marine life from being damaged by trawling.