§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the estuaries in the United Kingdom which are regarded as of environmental importance and those which require to be protected under the terms of the Ramsar convention.
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§ Mr. BaldryThe information readily available relates to Great Britain. The majority of our estuaries encompass areas that are of environmental importance and where appropriate these are protected as sites of special scientific interest. The Nature Conservancy Council has undertaken a review of the nature conservation interests of the estuaries of Great Britain and I understand that its full report is due to be published on 25 March. Sites which contain estuarial areas where it has been agreed that the Ramsar criteria are met, and which have been designated, are as follows:
- 1. Bridgewater Bay
- 2. Cors Fochno and Dyfi
- 3. Lindisfarne
- 4. Minsmere-Walberswick
- 5. North Norfolk Coast
- 6. Chesil Beach and The Fleet
- 7. Dee Estuary
- 8. The Swale
- 9. Alt Estuary
- 10. Rockliffe Marshes
- 11. Chichester and Langstone Harbours
- 12. Upper Severn Estuary
- 13. The Wash
- 14.Pagham Harbour
- 15. Bridgend Flats, Islay
- 16. Griunart Flats
- 17. Loch an Duin