Harøya Wetlands System | |
Alt Name: | Harøya våtmarkssystem |
Map: | Møre og Romsdal#Norway |
Nearest City: | Steinshamn |
Coordinates: | 62.7561°N 6.4625°W |
Area Ha: | 195.6 |
Established: | 1988 |
The Harøya Wetlands System (Norwegian: Harøya våtmarkssystem) is a Ramsar site located on Harøya island in the municipality of Ålesund in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway.[1] It consists of six separate protected areas: three nature reserves plus a large wildlife sanctuary containing two smaller bird sanctuaries.
The areas have been protected as a Ramsar site since 1996 because of their importance for migratory birds.[2] Harøya has large shallow areas with mudflats where seaweed collects. In the inner parts of the island there are marshy areas, and along the beaches there are damp beach meadows. The island is important as an overwintering area and resting area for birds migrating in the spring and fall.
The protected areas are: