New Ramsar plan aims to protect key natural sites

The Government of Jersey has published a new framework aimed at halting and reversing the loss of wetlands.

Ramsar is an international convention that gives accreditation to areas that need protection because they are particularly important to birds and other species.

The areas accredited are the Minquiers, Ecrehous, Pater Nosters and the south-east coast.

Steve Luce, Minister for the Environment, said the government would take its "responsibilities seriously" and it would be "more involved" with the management of the sites.

Luce said the team at Marine Resources were "fully resourced, dedicated and really enthusiastic about this work".

He added that he believed it could "really achieve some positive outcomes – maybe something we haven't achieved in the last few years".

The founder of Jersey Marine Conservation Kevin McIlwee said the group supported the initiative.

He said: "We really know from a scientific point of view that if we don't safeguard the environment and the animals we're actually damaging our communities as well.

"It's going to be most effective if we can educate people rather than try and enforce rules and regulations."

A Ramsar Advisory Group has been created to assist the government, which chairman Andrew Mitchell said was a better structure.

He said there were a lot of stakeholders: "Mainly conservation bodies who want to support the government, but if they are not doing their job properly – they can call it out.

"This is an international convention, there are over 2,000 sites around the world and Jersey should be proud to be listed among them."

Benita Brett from SOS Jersey said the new framework had omissions.

She said there was "a requirement that Ramsar be advised of any damage or potential threat to the sites" and that, she said, was not amongst the obligations listed.

Mr Luce apologised, adding "if it's there and we're not doing it".

He added the advice he had received was that there was "nothing that we should be reporting that we haven't".

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