The Annotated Ramsar List: Marshall Islands

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

MARSHALL ISLANDS / ILES MARSHALL / ISLAS MARSHALL

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for the Marshall Islands on 13 November 2004. The Marshall Islands presently has 1 site designated as a Wetland of International Importance, with a surface area of 69,000 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Jaluit Atoll Conservation Area.13/07/04; Jaluit Atoll district; 69,000 ha; 06°00'N 169°34'E. Conservation Area. A large coral atoll comprising 91 islets with a land area of 700 ha enclosing a large lagoon and including diverse and relatively pristine marine and terrestrial habitats, such as reefs, sandflats, seagrass beds, mangroves, and sand cays. There is a considerable range of relatively healthy marine species populations of reef fish and invertebrates, and though terrestrial species are more limited there are turtle nesting beaches and seabird roosting islands in relatively stable conditions. Fewer than 2000 people practice a subsistence lifestyle. Traditional land ownership and resource management has been effective, but as resource uses fall increasingly under local government councils there has been a decline in sustainable management awareness and practices. Potential threats include over-harvesting, especially of marine species for off-island markets, and the prospect of rising sea levels associated with global warming. A management plan is in effect. Ramsar sites no. 1389. Most recent RIS information: 2004.