Entire Lough Foyle could be protected site

Flight of the whooper swans along Lough Foyle. The swans arrive after a long migration from their breeding grounds in Iceland to rest and feed in Ireland for the winter. Picture Margaret McLaughlin ©

A Ramsar site, named after a convention held in Iran in the 1970s, is a specially designated site for the protection of ‘Wetlands of International Importance.’

A large proportion of Lough Foyle is already designated as a Ramsar site, although the portion which falls under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland is not included.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood has confirmed he will be writing to the ‘Dublin Minister’ to “ascertain his view on the matter.” The issue of whether Lough Foyle “in its entirety” should be designated as a Ramsar site was raised by Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood replied: “The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat’ was adopted at a meeting of countries concerned with wetland and waterfowl conservation which was held at Ramsar, Iran in 1971. The UK Government signed the Ramsar Convention in 1973 and ratified it in 1976.

“Each Contracting Party to the Convention is required to designate wetlands in accordance with criteria agreed by these parties for inclusion in a list of ‘Wetlands of International Importance’.

“Lough Foyle, situated on the north coast of Northern Ireland, is a large shallow sea lough which contains extensive intertidal areas of mudflats and sandflats. It is an internationally important coastal site for wintering waders and wildfowl. Because of its international importance Lough Foyle was designated as a Ramsar Site in February 1999.

“The Ramsar site includes the whole of Lough Foyle Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and the intertidal area of Magilligan ASSI in Lough Foyle extending south of Magilligan Point. The boundary of the Ramsar site is entirely coincident with that of the Lough Foyle Special Protection Area and it overlaps with Magilligan Special Area of Conservation.

“The part of Lough Foyle which falls within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland has not been designated as a Ramsar site. I have written to the Dublin Minister to ascertain his view on the matter.”