Exe Estuary 'ban' for dog walkers

It's a bid to protect wildlife

There are no plans to actually enforce the restrictions.

Conservationists have issued a request for the public to avoid marked-out areas at the Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve all-year round, and at the Exmouth Local Nature Reserve, between September 15 and December 31.

Known as wildlife refuges, the areas are marked out with yellow ‘special mark’ buoys which have “WR” in black letters printed on them, and the refuges will protect important wildlife feeding and resting areas.

These key areas for wildlife were approved by the partnership of three councils surrounding the estuary, known as the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee,  in October 2017.

Councillor Humphrey Clemens, chairman of the committee, said: “The refuges are needed because as our population grows, more people are visiting the Exe Estuary to enjoy all it has to offer. We need to balance these competing demands to preserve this beautiful place for generations to come and fulfil our legal obligations.

“The Exe Estuary is key to the survival of wintering waders and wildfowl. Recognised internationally for its conservation role, this Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is also a Ramsar site – a global designation putting it in the same league as the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Florida Everglades.