The announcement of the ‘Wexford Sea’ Special Protected Area (SPA) to be added to Ireland’s Natura 2000 network increases the proportion of protected waters around Ireland to almost 10%, in line with European commitments. The new SPA, which will be designated under the EU Birds Directive, will cover more than 305,000 hectares of marine areas that are important for a variety of bird species throughout the year.
At more than 3,000 square kilometers, the Wexford Sea SPA will become Ireland’s largest special protected area, surpassing the North West Irish Sea SPA, which was designated as the largest seabird habitat in 2023.
The new SPA is adjacent to eight existing SPAs already designated in the area, four of which are designated for breeding seabirds, and the publication of detailed site information and maps will It brings certainty and clarity to long-debated proposals to protect seabirds in the region. area.
Niall Ó Donche, Director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, commented: The 20 species protected at this site are some of the rarest and most endangered birds, and these waters are used each spring to breed on the coasts and islands of Wexford. They are a valuable food source for seabirds returning to their colonies. During non-summer months, these relatively shallow coastal waters provide safe feeding and roosting opportunities for a variety of seabirds that winter here and along the shipping lanes. Their protection is essential at a time when the pressures on our nature and biodiversity are greater than ever and the challenges of the climate emergency are more pressing than ever. ”
The list of protected species in the area includes loggerhead turtles, red-bellied divers, fulmars, Manx shearwaters, boobies, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, black-headed gulls, lesser black-headed gulls, black-headed gulls, black-backed gulls, little terns and roseate terns. , common tern, arctic tern, sandwich tern, Mediterranean gull, puffin, toucan, and murre.
A coalition of Ireland’s leading environmental groups says the creation of Ireland’s largest seabird reserve off the south-east coast is cause for celebration. However, Fair Seas said a lack of proper community engagement, a lack of a concerted management plan and no sign of the promised Marine Reserve Bill are putting public confidence in the process at risk. ing.