Karkinitska and Dzharylgatska Bays. 23/11/95; Khersonska Oblast, Crimean Autonomy Republic; 87,000 ha; 46°00'N 033°05'E. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990; removed from the Record, 29/08/03. Chornomorskyi Biosphere Reserve; Ornithological Game Reserve, Crimean Nature Reserve, Botanical Reserve. An embayment of the Black Sea, the site includes several islands and surrounding waters. Vegetation includes steppe and coastal communities consisting of reedbeds, vast aquatic meadows, salt-tolerant plants and grasses. The site is important for nesting (up to 14,000 pairs), migrating, and wintering waterbirds, especially ducks (endemic species Branta ruficollis) and waders. Marine mammals include three species of dolphin, all nationally rare, as well as several nationally rare and relic fish species. Human activities include commercial and recreational fishing, hunting, livestock grazing, irrigation, rice and grape cultivation. Bird-ringing and census programmes take place at the site. The site was removed from the Montreux Record in 2003. Ramsar site no. 114. Most recent RIS information: 1998.