2.1.1 From the North to the South of the PSSA,
and within the transition between the bio-geographical moderate heat
and boreal areas, there is a rich variety of ecosystems.
2.1.2 The coast of North West Scotland, the Shetland
Islands, the Orkney Islands and the Hebrides are environmentally significant,
including areas with high concentrations of vulnerable sea birds and
with a medium to low level of offshore fishing activity.
2.1.3 The coastline of Western and Southern Ireland
is a heavily indented one, screened in parts by outlying islands,
rocks and skerries. These coasts (from Donegal in the north-west to
Waterford in south-west) measure 5,140 km in length. The west coast
in particular has a very high species diversity of both macro-fauna
and flora. Offshore waters contain some of the richest fishing grounds
in Europe. Prevailing currents (oceanographic and meteorological)
are southwesterly.
2.1.4 The water column to the west and south of
Ireland lies above continental shelf in the main and is consequently
relatively shallow. The body of water is a biologically diverse and
highly productive marine environment. These are 10 million pairs of
seabirds of 28 species regularly breeding on the Irish coasts of the
PSSA. The open water areas support important populations of marine
birds, both offshore species such as petrels, gulls, auks and gannets,
and inshore species of ducks, divers, cormorants and terns.
2.1.5 Many of these species spend most of their
time feeding at sea and are vulnerable to surface pollutants such
as oil.
2.1.6 Off the south and west coasts of Ireland
there is a very large grey seal population. The west coast of Ireland
also supports a wide variety of cetaceans. In particular, the Shannon
estuary supports a resident population of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus). These waters also support 200 species of fish.
2.1.7 The importance of these areas on the coasts
of Ireland has been recognized internationally through the creation
of marine nature reserves, RAMSAR sites and Special Protected Areas
(SPAs). Also particularly noteworthy is the continental shelf break,
where upwellings and a front system create high productivity with
rich plankton communities and a diverse benthos.
2.1.8 A number of the RAMSAR sites designated
in Ireland are along the bays and inlets of the south and west coast
and contain a unique and important diversity of marine flora and fauna.
2.1.9 In Belgium, the area is recognized as particularly
important for flatfish and brown shrimp fisheries. The coastal zone
is an essential spawning and nursery area for these species. It is
characterised by the presence of sandbanks, which are slightly covered
by seawater all the time, a natural habitat type of community interest
under the European Habitat Directive. In 1984, part of these sandbanks
were designated as wetlands of international importance under the
RAMSAR convention, and in 1996 Belgium designated a Special Area of
Conservation in that environment under the Habitat Directive. The
Belgium government is now in the process of establishing three Special
Protection Areas for seabirds in the area to provide the large seabird
populations that concentrate in the winter with better protection.
The entire coastline has a high amenity value and is one of the major
European tourist resorts.
2.1.10 In France, the area enjoys great bio-diversity
and biological wealth, due to the contrast between the moderate tidal
range of Bay of Biscay and the very high tidal range in the English
Channel, together with the influence of three large rivers (the Seine,
the Loire and the Gironde), which are separated by vast areas of their
fluvial deposits. These three large estuaries where the land, fresh
water and salt water meet, are areas of particular significance for
bio-diversity.
2.1.11 Another characteristic of this shore is
the presence of about fifteen islands between the Côttes d’Armor
and the Charente-Maritime. Although their surface is low compared
to the total surface of the shoreline, they are nevertheless of very
great interest from the ecological point of view.
2.1.12 This great ecological interest can be highlighted
by the presence of emblematic species such as the marine mammals (seals,
dolphins, whales), sea birds (puffins, skuas, terns, gulls, etc.),
and fish.
2.1.13 The northeast Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay
coasts, because of their rich fauna and flora, beautiful landscapes
and interesting geological aspects, have a remarkable cultural, scientific
and touristic value to Spain.
2.1.14 It is important to emphasize that in this
area the Atlantic Islands National Park is located, which area includes:
-
a) Cies Islands
Area limited by Norte Punta de Monteagudo, Sur Bajosde Carrumeiros,
Sur Castros de Agoeiros and Islote de Biduidos, comprising Monte Faro,
Monteagudo and San Martiño islands and adjoining islets.
This group of islands is placed near the Ria de Vigo (Vigo),
and includes about 2,658 seahectares or 433 land-hectares.
-
b) Ons and Onza Islands
Area limited by Punta Centolo, Bajos los Camoucos, Balo Laxiña
de Galera, Bajo Menguella, Bajo Cabeza del Rico and Bajos de Bastián
de Val.
Comprising Ons and Onza islands adjoining islets, this group
of islands is placed near the Ria de Pontevedra (Bueu) and includes
about 2,171 sea-hectares and 470 land-hectares.
-
c) Sávora and adjoining islands
Area limited by Islas Sagres, Este del seijo de Vionta and S
Punta de Besugueiros.
Comprising Sávora and adjoining islets, this group of
islands is placed in the west part of Ria de Arousa (Ribeira), and
includes about 2,309 sea-hectares and 248 land-hectares.
-
d) Cortegada, Milveires and adjoining islands
Area limited by high tide maximum equinoctial line and Cortegada,
Malveira Grande, Malveira Chica, Briás and Illote de Com.
This group of islands is placed in the Ria de Arousa (Villagarcia
de Arousa) and includes 43.8 land-hectares. In this area, regional
authorities have established additional forms of environmental protection:
natural reserves, natural parks, protected landscapes, natural monuments,
etc.
2.1.15 Other international protected areas created
in the Atlantic Spanish coast are as follows:
- RAMSAR areas;
- Special areas for the protection of birds and areas of common
European interest, included within Red Natura 2000, under European
Directives on birds (74/409/CEE) and habitats (92/43/CEE);
- Biosphere reserve (Urdaibai) under the UNESCO program on man and
biosphere.
2.1.16 Portugal has a mainland coastline of ca.
1,000 Km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 17,000 Km2,
the largest in the European Union. More than 50% of the Portuguese
population lives near the coastline.
2.1.17 In Portugal, around 50% of mainland coast
is classified into one of the following categories: Protected Areas,
Special Areas of Conservation, or Natura 2000 sites. They include
ecosystems as diverse as marine areas, estuaries, coastal lagoons,
sand dunes and rocky cliffs, involving nature’s treasures of
great importance, where one can find species of fauna and flora with
a high degree of endemicity, as well as particularly sensitive habitats
in need of protection.
2.1.18 The uniqueness, significance and diversity
of several areas along Portuguese coastline are highly vulnerable
to pollution damage. Extended biological productivity of coastal waters
allows traditional fishing activities with great economical significance
from the north to southeast end of the area.