The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has initiated the process of designating Cork Harbour as a Special Protection Area (SPA). Cork Harbour is an acknowledged site for bird watching, supporting large numbers of waterfowl species, and forms a key component of Ireland’s indigenous wetland heritage. The designation of Cork Harbour as an SPA marks it as a site of European importance, and reflects the value of the harbour in terms of its wild bird populations and the habitats that support their conservation. For further information, interested parties are invited to consult the public notices outlining the intention to designate.