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A five-year strategic plan could see Alderney’s Ramsar site extended.
It also means that scientific work already being carried out will be able to continue for the rest of this year with thousands of pounds available to fund further research and conservation activities.
The Action Plan for Alderney’s West Coast and Burhou Islands Ramsar site has been approved by the island's General Services Committee (GSC) - including an agreement to draw up the five-year strategic plan.
The committee considered a report from the Alderney Ramsar Advisory Group (ARAG) referring among other matters to the conservation of wetland, dune grass and eel grass which lie outside the existing site.
The five-year strategic plan will be drawn up by the Alderney Ramsar Secretariat on behalf of the States of Alderney, and will consider rezoning the site or creating additional Ramsar sites around Alderney to accommodate conservation expectations.
Pictured: Burhou is part of Alderney's Ramsar site. Access is only allowed during certain parts of the year.
The GSC said "Alderney’s Ramsar site is well-respected" with Catherine Wensink of the UK Overseas Territory Conservation Forum stating: “The Alderney Ramsar site has long been an example to others across the world on what can be achieved.”
Following GSC approval for the 2024 Action Plan, it said "vital scientific work carried out on the existing Ramsar site can continue for the remainder of this year".
This will include research access to Burhou, monitoring of fish species, bird-ringing and wetland bird, bat and grey seal surveys.
Modern equipment such as drones and AI for mapping gannet colonies and underwater baited cameras to monitor fish species are already being used.
Stakeholders including Alderney Wildlife Trust, Alderney Bird Observatory, the Channel Islands Bird Ringing Scheme and the Alderney Animal Welfare Society have already put considerable resources into the Ramsar project - with up to £18,000 available for research and conservation activities delivered by volunteers.
The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement, reflecting the importance of wetlands across the world.
The Convention was signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
The international treaty provides the framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. A Ramsar site is therefore considered to be of international importance.
There are more than 2,300 Ramsar sites worldwide with eight in the Channel Islands.
There are four Ramsar sites in Jersey, two in Guernsey, and one each in Alderney and Sark.
The CI RAMSAR sites are:
Designation as a Ramsar site ensures the sites are protected and preserved.
Educational and environmental initiatives in turn contribute to the long-term conservation of the sites.
Celebrating our unique wetlands
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