Proposals for establishment of seven marine protected areas are submitted in Latvia
In December, 2008 the Baltic Environmental Forum - Latvia has prepared and submitted to the State Environment Survey and the Ministry of Environment proposals on establishment of seven marine protected areas in the territorial waters of Latvia.
Proposals were developed based on the findings of the project inventory actions and scientific conclusions of the project partners: Latvian Ornithological Society and Institute of Aquatic Ecology.
Proposals include the following marine areas:
- Nida - Perkone – one of the most significant area for protection of marine biodiversity in Latvia – here are founded the greatest examples of reefs and this area is on the migrations way of birds. Area is significant for protection of Goosander Mergus merganser and Little Gull Larus minutus;
- Akmenrags – significant area for migratory birds, wintering birds and for birds in summer during moulting. Particulary important for protection of Little Gull Larus minutus and Diver Gavia sp.;
- Irbe strait – especially significant for bird migration, charactarised as “bottle-neck area”. Particulary important for protection of Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis, Common Scoter Melanitta nigra, Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, Little Gull Larus minutus, Diver Gavia sp., Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle and potentially also for protections of reefs as well.
- Western Coast of the Gulf of Riga – significant place for large amount of migrant birds during feeding and rest time all year long. Particulary important for protection of Divers Gavia sp., Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, Little Gull Larus minutus, Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna as well as significant for protections of reefs;
- Open sea in the West of Tuja – significant territory for protection of Little Gull Larus minutus during spring migration;
- Vitrupe - Tuja – significant area for protection of reefs;
- Ainazi – Salacgriva” - significant area for protection of reefs.
Ministry of the Environment prepared the draft of regulations and in January 2010 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the borders of the proposed MPAs.
For two marine protected areas "Nida- Perkone" and "Western Coast of the Riga Gulf"" project team eloborated management plans.
