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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Marine Ramsar sites

    Topics:
    • Actions to Protect our Environment, 
    • Fisheries, 
    • Marine, 
    • Land and Landscapes, 
    • Biodiversity, 
    • Fisheries - Conservation and Protection, 
    • Marine Conservation and Protection, 
    • Protected areas

    The Ramsar convention covers all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognising wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well-being of human communities.

    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 Team

    Related content

    • Appointment of Deputy Chair and up to 16 Board Members to the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC)
    • ASSI Guidance for Public Bodies/Competent Authorities
    • Coastal Areas of Special Scientific Interest
    • Conservation and protection enforcement programme
    • Conservation Management Plans (CMPs)
    • Ecological Surveys
    • European Marine Sites - Marine Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas
    • Financial administrative penalties
    • Fishing licence points system for serious infringements of the enforcement programme
    • Historic Wrecks
    • Introduction to Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) for Northern Ireland’s Special Areas of Conservation
    • Mandatory recording of marine mammal bycatch
    • Marine Conservation Zones
    • Marine historic environment
    • Marine Protected Areas
    • Monitoring marine habitats and species
    • NI CHART Bluefin Tuna
    • Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)
    • Protected Areas – Protected Areas Monitoring Results
    • Protected Areas – What are the features of Protected Areas, and how are they monitored?
    • Searching protected areas
    • Special Areas of Conservation
    • Special Areas of Conservation for Harbour porpoise
    • Special Protection Areas
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