Amvrakikos gulf. 21/08/75; Aitoloakarnania, Preveza, Arta; 23,649 ha; 39°06'N 020°55'E. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990. Special Protection Area EC Directive. A coastal inlet connected to the sea. The extensive delta of two rivers including freshwater marsh with the largest reedbeds in Greece, wet meadows and seasonally inundated land, lagoons, barrier spits, a major saltmarsh, and some of the most extensive tracts of riparian forest remaining in Greece. The area supports a rich reptile and amphibian fauna, is important for breeding, staging and wintering numerous species of waterbirds, and provides important feeding grounds for nesting raptors. Nesting species include globally threatened Pelecanus crispus. Human activities include traditional fishing, intensive fish farming, livestock grazing, and (illegal) housing construction. Placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 because numerous human activities have modified the water balance, and the demand for irrigation water has led to increasing salinity levels. Ramsar site no. 61. Most recent RIS information: 1998.

Last publication date: 01-01-1998