Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve is the largest LNR in Britain, it is an estuary with large areas of saltmarsh and mudflats that are important for many of the species that live there. It is particularly important for salt tolerant plants, wintering wildfowl and fish such as allis and twait shad, and has long been a popular venue for a range of recreational activities including wildfowling, angling and bird watching.

Wigtown Bay’s wildlife status is reflected in the designations associated with the area. The Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is linked with SSSI, SAC and RAMSAR sites. Many local farmers are involved with the SNH Goose Management Scheme. The centre of the Bay is particularly important to the birds that migrate here in the winter. This area is now a special sanctuary, to allow the birds to feed and roost here without disturbance.

The LNR Byelaws are designed to protect the area, the wildlife and its use by the communities around it. The Byelaws have been prepared by Dumfries and Galloway Council in conjunction with the LNR Management Committee, and will assist in the smooth management of the Reserve.

The local communities and the people that use around the estuary have a real stake in the future of the LNR Jack Cameron, Chair of the Wigtown Bay LNR Management Committee and independent member, has been involved in the LNR since the beginning. He comments that “The future of the reserve lies in people working together, and the Byelaws have helped the partners involved to lay down clear guidelines for everyone who uses the LNR, be it for work or for leisure”.

An example of how the management of the Bay has been developed comes from the voluntary wildfowling system, which has run for the last 4 years. Local wildfowling clubs supported this scheme by obtaining permits that limited the areas and times that wildfowlers were able to use the LNR and training voluntary wildfowling wardens. This means that the management of wildfowling within the LNR is based on real figures rather than estimates.

The rights of landowners or occupiers, rights of white fishing in tidal waters, rights to salmon netting, and rights of navigation are not affected by the Byelaws. Activities that may harm the LNR are subject to a management system that will ensure responsible and sustainable use. This includes the issuing of permits and public notices allowing activities such as wildfowling, puntgunning, bait collection and scientific research at specific times and places.