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Application: |
Worldwide |
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Designating authority: |
In Scotland, Secretary of State for Scotland. |
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Role of SNH: |
To recommend areas to the Secretary of State which in its opinion meet the criteria for designation as Ramsar sites |
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Legislative context: |
The Ramsar Convention (Cmnd 6465, Treaty Series No. 34, 1976). Within GB the designation is operated through the SSSI mechanism. |
Criteria:
'For the purposes of this Convention wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres ..... For the purpose of this convention waterfowl are birds ecologically dependent on wetlands.'
The purpose of the designation is 'to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future I ; it aims at I the conservation I management and wise use of migratory stocks of wildfowl,' as well as to promote the conservation of wetlands included in the List, and as far as possible the wise use of wetlands'.
In the UK, sites recommended f or Ramsar status are normally already notified as SSSIs, and the necessary protective measures are provided by this status.
Number of sites: 23
Area of sites: 47,059 hectares (0.64% of Scotland)
No. of proposed sites: 50
Background
Ramsar is the town in Iran where the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat was adopted in 1971. The Convention was ratified by the UK and entered into force in 1976.
SNH is responsible for the identification of, and the collation of scientific information on, sites which qualify for designation; SNH undertakes consultation with owners, occupiers, planning authorities and other interested parties on behalf of the Secretary of State. The application of this designation to terrestrial sites relies on their being notified as SSSIs. Implementation of the Convention is limited in the UK, however, because there is no legal mechanism, other than MNR designation, to protect areas below low water mark.
Listing (Scotland)
Bridgend Flats, Islay (Strathclyde)
Cairngorms Lochs (Grampian and Highland)
Claish Moss (Highland)
Eilean na Muice Duibhe [Duich Moss],
Islay (Strathclyde)
Fala Flow (Lothian)
Feur Lochain, Islay (Strathclyde)
Glac na Criche, Islay (Strathclyde)
Gladhouse Reservoir (Lothian)
Gruinart Bay, Islay (Strathclyde)
Hoselaw Loch (Borders)
Loch an Duin (Western Isles)
Loch Druidibeg, Loch a'Machair & Loch Stilligary (Western Isles)
Loch Eye (Highland)
Loch Ken & River Dee Marshes(Dumfries & Galloway)
Loch Leven (Tayside)
Loch Lintrathen (Tayside)
Loch Lomond (Strathclyde and Central)
Loch of Skene (Grampian)
Loch Spynie (Grampian)
Rannoch Moor (Tayside)
Silver Flowe (Dumfries & Galloway)
Upper Solway Flats and Marshes (Dumfries and Galloway)