Published in the Diário da República, the decree-law that concludes the classification process of the Special Conservation Zone (ZEC) of the Minho River "applies to the territory covered by the Special Conservation Zone (ZEC) of the Minho River and the Special Protection Zone (ZPE) of the Estuaries of the Minho and Coura Rivers".

During the process, the municipalities of Caminha, Melgaço, Monção, Valença and Vila Nova de Cerveira were consulted, and the decree stipulates "objectives and conservation and management measures aimed at maintaining or restoring natural or semi-natural habitat types and populations of wild flora and fauna species in a favourable conservation status".

Among the management measures defined in the document is the prohibition, on rural land, of introducing exotic species of flora and fauna into nature and of Repopulating Them.

It is also prohibited "the deposit or discharge of industrial or domestic wastewater into water, soil or subsoil, without adequate treatment or in a way that is likely to cause negative effects on the environment".

Also prohibited are "alterations to the configuration, topography and current land use of wetlands or marine areas and their respective buffer zones, as well as modifications to natural runoff conditions".

Trawling or motorised and recreational activities may be carried out if authorised by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF).

On the other hand, territorial plans whose intervention area falls within the Minho River Special Protection Zone (ZEC Rio Minho) and the Minho and Coura River Estuary Special Protection Zone (ZPE Estuários dos Rios Minho e Coura) must include rules that prohibit, for example, construction on rural land, including removable structures, with the exception of "infrastructure and equipment to support nature conservation, visitation, recreation and leisure, sports, tourist entertainment activities and agricultural or forestry activities".

Reconstruction, demolition, alteration or conservation works may also be permitted, or "expansion works for housing purposes of buildings with residential use, proven by presenting a license or certificate issued by a competent body, provided that the area of ​​expansion of the pre-existing structures does not result in a total implantation and waterproofing area exceeding 300 square metres".

The same applies to "expansion works for tourism purposes of buildings with residential use, proven by presenting a license or certificate issued by a competent body, or with tourist use".

This is provided that the expansion of existing structures, with a minimum area of ​​300 square metres, whether isolated or resulting from a process of consolidation or merger of properties, does not result in a building footprint exceeding 1,000 square metres, on a single floor and connected to one of the existing structures.

The document states that the Natura 2000 Network is a European-wide ecological network, constituting the fundamental instrument of the European Union's policy on nature and biodiversity conservation, consisting of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) created under the Birds Directive - which are intended to guarantee the conservation of bird species and their habitats - and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), created under the Habitats Directive.

These "aim to ensure the conservation of habitat types and species of flora and fauna".