Harbour to have bird-safe zones

PARTS of Cork Harbour will be re-designated as special protection areas for birds, in line with EU rules.

Environment Minister John Gormley announced the plans yesterday following the EU Bird Directive, which requires member states to protect birds at their breeding, feeding, roosting and wintering areas.

“My Department is currently engaged in a roll out of designations such as this and now Cork Harbour, with its magnificent natural heritage, takes pride of place,” said Minister Gormley.

Almost 1,500 hectares are already protected in the harbour area and this will be 2,683 hectares to “reflect more up to date bird usage”.

Almost 3,000 residents and businesses in the area will receive a letter from the Minister in the coming weeks informing them of the plans and asking for co-operation in protecting birds in the area.

“I consider it very important to safeguard this habitat and to prevent, insofar as possible, disturbance to wild bird populations,” said Mr Gormley.

“Key to good conservation practice is the need to get full information to landowners and land users in the areas involved. The support of landowners, seafarers and those who use both land and sea is crucial to the protection of wildlife there,” he said.