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Sam Galbraith Announces Extra Protection For Endangered Birds
15/12/2000
Environment Minister Sam Galbraith today announced special protection to two areas that provide habitat for some of Scotland's most important birds.
The two new Special Protection Areas (SPAs) will lead to added protection for black-throated divers and an internationally significant breeding population of common gulls.
The new sites bring the total number of SPAs in Scotland to 126 covering 478,427 hectares.
Mr Galbraith said:
"Today's announcement brings Scotland's SPA total to 126 and confirms our commitment to improve the protected status of these nationally and internationally important species.
"With the classification of these areas Scotland is making another important contribution to the European network of conservation sites aimed at ensuring protection for a whole range of rare and migratory bird species.
"I would like to stress that SPA status does not mean that these sites are nature reserves - rather it is a guarantee that in the future, as in the past and present, these sites will be managed sustainably for the benefit of both people and nature."
The Tips of Corsemaul and Tom Mor SPA is of special nature conservation importance within Britain and the EU because it supports significant breeding numbers of the migratory species common gull (20 per cent of the British population).
The Assynt Lochs SPA comprises seven lochs within the Assynt area of north-west Scotland. The site contains four per cent of the British black-throated diver breeding population and has the highest density of diver territories in Britain.
BACKGROUND
1. Under the EC Wild Birds Directive Member States are obliged to protect rare and endangered species and migratory birds through a combination of site classification and associated measures. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects wild birds generally.
2. In collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), The Scottish Executive has developed a programme to classify the most appropriate sites. Following consultations with owners, occupiers and other local interests about proposed classifications, SNH recommends SPAs to Scottish Ministers for classification.
3. Under the terms of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 development which would damage the conservation interest can only proceed if there are no alternative solutions and there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest.
4. New Site Details
- The Tips of Corsemaul and Tom Mor proposed SPA is of special nature conservation importance within Britain and the EU because it supports significant breeding numbers of the migratory species common gull (20 per cent and three per cent of the British and EU population respectively).
The total area of the proposed site is 84 ha.
- Assynt Lochs proposed SPA comprises a group of seven lochs in the Assynt area of north-west Scotland. The site is of outstanding scientific and nature conservation importance within Britain and the EC for its nationally important breeding population of black-throated divers (four per cent of the British total). The site has the highest density of diver territories in Britain.
News Release: SE3226/2000
15 Dec 2000