RESIDENTS and visitors to North Wales are being invited to have their say about the future of one of Europe's most important wildlife sites. The candidate Menai Strait and Conwy Bay Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) - is a designation that recognises this area as one of the most important sites for marine wildlife in Europe. Local people and landowners, as well as those with a recreational or commercial interest in the site, are all invited to comment on the plans to designate the area and include it in the European Natura 2000 site network. The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) says it fully realises that the success of creating such a network depends on the support and help of those who own or work the land and sea and those who enjoy our natural heritage. "The Menai Strait and Conwy Bay cSAC extends from Abermenai Point at the south west end of the strait to the Little Orme in the north east and to Traeth Lligwy on the east coast of Anglesey. It includes the Menai Strait, Traeth Lafan and the Foryd estuary," said Kate Smith, CCW's marine conservation officer. "We want everyone who has an interest in the cSAC to have the opportunity to have their say. It is important that we get the opinions of everyone - we must work together to allow economic, social, recreational and environmental interests to thrive in this beautiful area of Wales." Some of the area's underwater wonders include extensive mud flats and sandbanks that are exposed at low tide but submerged at high tide. Many of these sites are important feeding areas for birds. Traeth Lafan for example is home to flocks of birds such as the oystercatcher and curlew. While the tide-swept reefs and rock surfaces of the Menai Strait are carpeted in animals like the sea anemones, sponges and sea squirts, animals that are usually found in much deeper water flourish in the limestone caves found on the Ormes, with their low light levels. An initial consultation by public notice took place in 2000 and a further three-month consultation is running until July 30 this year which will give people an opportunity to comment on the scientific justification for proposing this site as a cSAC. | 
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