Ramsar and the Small Island Developing States
Ramsar's past, on-going and future activities related to Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
By Margarita Astrálaga
Americas Senior Advisor
Marine and Coastal Issues Focal Point
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
astralaga@ramsar.org
Since 1994, when the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States was adopted, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat has supported a number of activities to assist these States in its implementation.
Within the 14 agreed priority areas and actions related to environmental and development planning that should be undertaken by SIDS with the cooperation and assistance of the international community, Ramsar concentrated its support on activities related to providing support for developing and implementing integrated coastal zone management plans and strategies; design of monitoring programmes for coastal and marine resources, and support for accession to the Ramsar Convention and the United Nations Environment Programme Specially Protected Areas Protocol for the Wider Caribbean.
Regarding freshwater issues and biodiversity, Ramsar has supported, and continues to support community involvement in designation, management and conservation of wetland sites (see annex 1- Ramsar sites in Small Island Developing States and other developing country members of AOSIS, annex 2- Dependent territory island sites ) and provided a set of guidelines for management planning, designation of sites, integration of watersheds and wetlands into the national planning process, review of national legislation, international cooperation, and education and public awareness.
Additionally, under the joint programme of work with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) special efforts have been made to identify methodologies for carrying out rapid assessments of inland waters in SIDS.
Support was provided to strengthen institutional arrangements and administrative capacity of Ramsar Administrative Authorities, through direct assistance, as well as encouragement to establish cross-sectoral National Wetland Committees, with full involvement of NGOs and local communities. Training and education at different levels was also supported through a number of projects. Full details of the projects carried out since 1994 are attached as annex 3.
In addition the Ramsar Convention Secretariat is assisting some SIDS with their development of GEF projects, currently notably in the Comoros Islands.
The Ramsar Convention Secretariat supports joint action with regional institutions and has signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Secretariat of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (CAR/RCU) and with the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). With the latter a joint work plan has been adopted, and at present Ramsar is exploring options for improving its capacity in Oceania, by establishing a Ramsar support service in the region.
Our partner organization, Wetlands International, as part of its support to the implementation of the Convention, and on behalf of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), is currently funding projects in Fiji, Marshall Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. (For details see Annex 3.) Support for accession, Ramsar site designation and capacity building and training continues to be provided to Pacific Island States by Wetlands International, including through funding from the government of Australia, and by partner organization WWF.
Of particular relevance for implementation during the next triennium is Resolution VIII.42, on Small Island Developing States in the Oceania Region, adopted by our 8th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties which took place in Valencia, Spain, 18-26 November 2002. The resolution identifies the key challenges and priority issues particular to the countries and territories of the Oceania region, and encourages International Organizations to assist those Island States in overcoming these challenges. (See Annex 4)
In future Ramsar will also seek to cooperate closely with the CBD Secretariat on the development of CBD's new programme of work on islands, through the Conventions' joint work plan.
The Ramsar Convention Secretariat will continue working closely and providing support to Small Island Developing States in the implementation of the Barbados Action Plan during the next triennium.
| Small Island Developing States with Ramsar Sites | ||||
| Ramsar Reg. | Country | Site Name | Designation Date | Area in ha. |
| AFRICA | CAPE VERDE | Curral Velho | 7/18/2005 | Surface |
|
| CAPE VERDE | Lagoa de Rabil | 7/18/2005 | not yet |
|
| CAPE VERDE | Lagoa de Pedra Badejo | 7/18/2005 | confirmed! |
|
| COMOROS | Lake Dziani Boundouni | 2/09/1995 | 30 |
|
| GUINEA-BISSAU | Lagoa de Cufada | 14/05/90 | 39,098 |
|
| MADAGASCAR | Lac Tsimanampetsotsa | 9/25/1998 | 45,604 |
|
| MADAGASCAR | Complexe des lacs de Manambolomaty | 9/25/1998 | 7,491 |
|
| MAURITIUS | Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary | 5/30/2001 | 26 |
|
| SEYCHELLES | Port Launay Coastal Wetlands | 11/22/2004 | 121 |
| ASIA | BAHRAIN | Hawar Islands | 10/27/1997 | 5,200 |
|
| BAHRAIN | Tubli Bay | 10/27/1997 | 1,610 |
|
| INDONESIA | Berbak | 4/8/1992 | 162,700 |
|
| INDONESIA | Danau Sentarum | 8/30/1994 | 80,000 |
|
| MALAYSIA | Tasek Bera | 11/10/1994 | 38,446 |
|
| PHILIPPINES | Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary | 7/1/1994 | 5,800 |
|
| PHILIPPINES | Naujan Lake National Park | 11/12/1999 | 14,568 |
|
| PHILIPPINES | Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary | 11/12/1999 | 14,836 |
|
| PHILIPPINES | Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park | 11/12/1999 | 33,200 |
|
| SRI LANKA | Bundala | 15/06/1990 | 6,210 |
|
| SRI LANKA | Annaiwilundawa Tanks Sanctuary | 3/8/2001 | 1,397 |
| NEOTROPICS | ANTIGUA and |
|
|
|
|
| BARBUDA | Codrington Lagoon | 6/02/2005 | 3,600 |
|
| BAHAMAS | Inagua National Park | 2/7/1997 | 32,600 |
|
| BARBADOS | Graeme Hall Swamp | 12/12/2005 | 33 |
|
| BELIZE | Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary | 4/22/98 | 6,637 |
|
| BELIZE | Sarstoon Temash National Park | 10/19/2005? | 16,955 |
|
| CUBA | Ciénaga de Zapata | 4/12/2001 | 452,000 |
|
| CUBA | Buenavista | 11/18/2002 | 313,500 |
|
| CUBA | Ciénaga de Lanier y Sur de la Isla de la Juventud | 11/18/2002 | 126,200 |
|
| CUBA | Gran Humedal del Norte de Ciego de Avila | 11/18/2002 | 226,875 |
|
| CUBA | Humedal Delta del Cauto | 11/18/2002 | 47,836 |
|
| CUBA | Humedal Río Máximo-Cagüey | 11/18/2002 | 22,000 |
|
| DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | Lago Enriquillo | 5/15/2002 | 20,000 |
|
| JAMAICA | Black River Lower Morass | 10/7/1997 | 5,700 |
|
| SAINT LUCIA | Savannes Bay | 2/19/2002 | 25 |
|
| SAINT LUCIA | Mankoté | 2/19/2002 | 60 |
|
| SURINAME [note] | Coppenamemonding | 22/07/85 | 12,000 |
|
| TRINIDAD & TOBAGO | Nariva Swamp | 12/21/1992 | 6,234 |
|
| TRINIDAD & TOBAGO | Buccoo Reef / Bon Accord Lagoon Complex | 7/08/2005 | 1,287 |
|
| TRINIDAD & TOBAGO | Caroni Swamp | 7/08/2005 | 8,398 |
| OCEANIA | FIJI | Upper Navua Conservation Area | 4/11/2006 | 615 |
|
| MARSHALL ISLANDS | Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area | 7/13/2004 | 69,000 |
|
| PALAU | Lake Ngardok | 10/18/2002 | 493 |
|
| PAPUA NEW GUINEA | Tonda Wildlife Management Area | 3/16/1993 | 590,000 |
|
| PAPUA NEW GUINEA | Lake Kutubu | 9/25/1998 | 4,924 |
|
| SAMOA | Lake Lanoto'o | 7/10/2004 | Surface |
|
|
|
|
| not yet |
|
|
|
|
| confirmed! |
Note: Suriname is listed amongst island states because it is a member of AOSIS.
Dependent and overseas territories:
| FRENCH TERRITORIES: | GUADELOUPE | Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin de la Guadeloupe | 12/8/1993 | 20,000 |
|
| FRENCH GUYANA | Basse-Mana | 12/8/1993 | 59,000 |
|
| FENCH GUYANA | Marais de Kaw | 12/8/1993 | 137,000 |
| NETHERLANDS TERRITORIES: | ARUBA | Het Spaans Lagoen | 5/23/1980 | 70 |
|
| BONAIRE ISLAND | Het Lac | 5/23/1980 | 700 |
|
| BONAIRE ISLAND | Het Pekelmeer | 5/23/1980 | 400 |
|
| BONAIRE ISLAND | Klein Bonaire Island and adjacent sea | 5/23/1980 | 600 |
|
| BONAIRE ISLAND | Het Gotomeer | 5/23/1980 | 150 |
|
| BONAIRE ISLAND | De Slagbaai | 5/23/1980 | 90 |
|
U.K : TERRITORIES: | TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS | North, Middle & East Caicos Islands | 6/27/1990 | 58,617 |
|
| CAYMAN ISLANDS | Booby Pond and Rookery | 9/21/1994 | 82 |
|
| BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | Western Salt Ponds of Anegada | 5/11/1999 | 1,071 |
|
| BERMUDA | Spittal Pond | 5/11/1999 | 10 |
|
| BERMUDA | Somerset Long Bay Pond | 5/11/1999 | 1 |
|
| BERMUDA | Warwick Pond | 5/11/1999 | 2 |
|
| BERMUDA. | Hungry Bay Mangrove Swamp | 5/11/1999 | 2 |
|
| BERMUDA | Pembroke Marsh East | 5/11/1999 | 8 |
|
| BERMUDA | Lover's Lake Nature Reserve | 5/11/1999 | 2 |
|
| BERMUDA | Paget Marsh | 5/11/1999 | 11 |
|
| BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY | Diego Garcia | 7/04/2001 | 35,424 |
|
| FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS). | Bertha's Beach | 9/24/2001 | 4,000 |
|
| FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS). | Sea Lion Island | 9/24/2001 | 1,000 |
|
| CYPRUS, WESTERN SOVEREIGN BASE AREA | Akrotiri | 3/20/2003 | 2,171 |
