Analysis of waterbird population trends for Northern Ireland’s sea loughs: assessing the potential impacts of aquaculture and disturbance. Part 3 – Larne Lough, Killough Harbour and Dundrum Inner Bay

This  study  is  part  three  of  a  series  of  sector‐level  analysis  reports  on  sea‐lough  WeBS  data  in Northern  Ireland,  previously  documenting  Carlingford  Lough,  Strangford  Lough,  Belfast  Lough, and Lough Foyle, which were chosen as sites that host aquaculture activities. These reports aim to  improve  understanding  of  the  fluctuations  in  numbers  of  waterbirds  within  the  sites  and inform the consenting of operations and assessment of development plans on these protected areas. This report aims to provide an initial insight into the potential impact of intertidal Oyster aquaculture on trends in Larne Lough, Killough Harbour and Dundrum Inner Bay.