Wildlife plan angers land owners

A PROPOSAL to make Castlemaine Harbour in Co Kerry a Special Protection Area (SPA) in order to protect birds and other wildlife is set to arouse strong opposition from land owners.

The harbour has been selected for the designation on ecological and ornithological grounds, according to the Department of the Environment.

This is to comply with an EU Birds Directive which aims to conserve wild birds and means Castlemaine Harbour will be recognised as an internationally important site for birds, fish and rare plants.