Marine Ramsar sites

What are Ramsar sites?

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. Many of these are also classified as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

For further information see the Ramsar sites article page:

• Ramsar sites

List of marine Ramsar sites

There are currently 7 Ramsar sites that contribute to the Northern Ireland MPA network:

• Belfast Lough Ramsar
• Carlingford Lough Ramsar
• Killough Bay Ramsar
• Larne Lough Ramsar 
• Lough Foyle Ramsar
• Outer Ards Ramsar
• Strangford Lough Ramsar
• Dundrum Bay (proposed Ramsar site)

Useful links

• The Ramsar Convention
• Protected areas
• Searching protected areas

Further information

For further information on Northern Ireland marine Ramsar sites, contact:

• Marine Conservation and Reporting team