The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

Report of the Secretary General pursuant to Article 8.2 (b), (c), and (d) concerning the List of Wetlands of International Importance

1. Article 8.2 of the Convention states that: "The continuing bureau [the Ramsar Secretariat] duties shall be, inter alia : …

b) to maintain the List of Wetlands of International Importance and to be informed by the Contracting Parties of any additions, extensions, deletions or restrictions concerning wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 2 [note 1];

c) to be informed by the Contracting Parties of any changes in the ecological character of wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 3 [note 2];

d) to forward notification of any alterations to the List, or changes in character of wetlands included therein, to all Contracting Parties and to arrange for these matters to be discussed at the next Conference;

e) to make known to the Contracting Party concerned, the recommendations of the Conferences in respect of such alterations to the List or of changes in the character of wetlands included therein."

2. The present report of the Secretary General conveys to the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties the information requested under Article 8 concerning the List of Wetlands of International Importance since the close of Ramsar COP8 on 26 November 2002.

Additions, extensions or deletions to the List (Article 2.5)

3. The Ramsar Secretariat maintains up to date the Ramsar List, always available in the Ramsar Web site (http://www.ramsar.org/index_list.htm) and in hard copy in two versions: a) the basic List organized in alphabetical order of Contracting Parties (English language) with the name of the sites also in alphabetical order, date of designation, state/province where the site is located, area of the site, and geographical coordinates of the center-point of the site; and b) the Annotated List, which in addition contains a brief description of each site.

4. In the case of the designation of new Ramsar sites or extension of the area of existing sites, once the Secretariat is satisfied that the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) and map for each new site or extension has been supplied by the Contracting Party in accordance with COP Resolutions on the required data for Ramsar sites (notably Resolution VIII.13), the Secretary General authorizes the addition or change in the List, the announcement is made to the public on the Ramsar Web site and the Ramsar Wetlands Forum e-mail list, as well as to each Contracting Party via the Ramsar Exchange in English, French, and Spanish, and an official letter and certificate confirming the addition to the List or extension of area is sent to the Party concerned.

5. Pursuant to Article 8.2 d), Annex 1 provides a list of the sites added to the List in the period under review, and Annex 2 lists those sites for which there has been a change in area since the closure of COP8.

6. To date since COP8, a total of 242 Ramsar sites covering 18.3 million hectares have been added to the List. The global total is now 1,505 Ramsar sites covering a total of 126.5 million hectares. At the time of writing, the Secretariat is processing a number of further new designations received from Parties, which it is anticipated will be added to the List prior to the start of COP9.

7. Of the sites listed in Annex 2, the boundaries of seven sites have been extended, and for 10 sites the increase in area is a result of a correction or more precise boundary definition and/or calculation of the area of the site (Resolution VIII.21), for example, through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping. In the reporting period, no site has had its area reduced as a result of more precise boundary definition or calculation of area.

8. Concerning deletions, no site has been deleted from the List during the period under consideration.

Restrictions to the List

9. Two situations can arise concerning restrictions to the boundaries of sites on the Ramsar List: a) when a Party decides to invoke Article 2.5 of the Convention, which permits a Party to reduce the boundaries of a site for reasons of urgent national interests, and b) when a restriction is proposed for other reasons than "urgent national interest".

10. Concerning the latter, the further guidance called for in Resolution VIII.22 concerning sites or parts of sites which cease to fulfil or never fulfilled the Criteria for designation will be considered by COP9 (COP9 DR7).

11. Two Parties (Finland and the Kyrgyz Republic) have submitted updated RISs in which significant reductions in the area of listed sites are being made for reasons other than "urgent national interest". For Finland (see also Annex 2) the restrictions are related to the removal of non-wetland areas within the formerly designated site and to harmonising the Ramsar site boundaries with those of the subsequently designated European Union "Natura 2000" sites. A significant reduction in area of Isyk-Kul State Reserve from the Soviet-era "Issyk-kul Lake" Ramsar site (Kyrgyz Republic) was made in the RIS submitted when this Party acceded to the Convention in 2002 as a successor state to the former USSR. In its COP9 National Report, the Kyrgyz Republic informed the Secretariat that this restriction is intended to include only the core zone of the Isyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme), whereas the site as originally designated by the former USSR covered the whole Biosphere Reserve area.

12. Concerning restrictions involving Article 2.5, in 1998 the Government of Germany invoked Article 2.5 of the Convention in a case involving the excision of 170 hectares (from a total of 675 hectares) of the Mühlenberger Loch Ramsar site, an extensive area of tidal mudflats on the Elbe River near Hamburg, to make room for expansion of the industrial complex of DASA (Airbus Industries).

13. The Secretary General reported to COP8 on progress on this matter in COP8 DOC. 6. Subsequent developments have been as follows:

13.1 On 23 January 2001, the Government of Germany formally invoked Article 2.5 of the Convention and informed the Secretariat about the reduction of the Ramsar site by an estimated 169 hectares, including a summary plan for compensatory measures. On 24-26 September 2001 a Ramsar Advisory Mission visited the areas foreseen for compensation and discussed the issues in detail with the regional and national authorities, and this was summarized in a report available on the Ramsar Web site (http://www.ramsar.org/index_ram.htm). At that time, it became clear that the proposed compensatory measures would not be completed for many years after the reduction of the Ramsar site which took place in 2001.

13.2 To date, the Government of Germany has not submitted an updated RIS and an updated map showing the reduced boundaries of the Ramsar site. This should be accompanied by a consolidated report on the compensation measures taken under Article 4.2, and their effectiveness with regard to the wetland resources affected by the reduction, in line with Resolution VIII.20.

14. In 2000, construction works began for the Kulevi oil terminal at the Black Sea coast inside the "Central Wetlands of Kolkheti" Ramsar site in Georgia. Since then the Secretariat has been in regular contact with the Government of Georgia on this issue:

14.1 On 29 May 2001, the Government asked the Secretariat for support to prepare a compensation package, reiterating on 5 March 2005 (after a temporary delay of the construction works) that the Environment Ministry "is interested in conducting a qualified, competent investigation and in obtaining real and feasible compensation measures. We suggest that it would be reasonable to involve a representative of the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, as well as other qualified specialists, which you could recommend, in the process of selecting of the compensation territory and developing of compensation measures."

14.2 On 27 July 2005 the Government submitted a report on the "urgent national interests" for the Kulevi oil terminal construction invoking Article 2.5, following the guidance provided through Resolution VIII.20.

14.3 Subsequently, a Ramsar Advisory Mission took place on 14-19 August 2005 and which provided extensive advice on the compensation measures to be developed and put into place, the report of which will be placed on the Convention's Web site.

14.4 The Secretariat expects the Government of Georgia to submit in due course an updated RIS and map of the revised Ramsar site boundaries, accompanied by a consolidated report on the package of compensation measures undertaken and their effect, in line with Resolution VIII.20.

15. In 2002, it became clear that the Government of Ukraine wished to reopen a deep water navigable waterway through the Danube delta inside the Ukrainian core zone of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar Site "Kyliiske Mouth" (shared with Romania). A Ramsar Advisory Mission, conducted jointly with the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme, visited Ukraine 27-31 October 2003 and evaluated three choices for the waterway, also providing advice on necessary impact assessments and likely compensation measures - the RAM report is available on the Convention's Web site.

15.1 The start of the works to open up the mouth of the Bystroe Danube arm to the Black Sea in May 2004, to create the deep water navigation way through this natural branch of the Danube, provoked much international concern. At the invitation of the Ramsar Secretariat and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an ad hoc meeting of representatives of Ukraine and Romania, of several MEAs and international NGOs, was hosted by UNEP in Geneva on 21 September 2004.

15.2 As an outcome of this meeting, the Ramsar Secretariat continues to participate in coordinated efforts by the secretariats of several multilateral environmental agreements, chaired by the Danube Commission (ICPDR), to provide advice to the Ukrainian Government on how best to address this matter. This has resulted in a follow-up visit to the 2003 Ramsar Advisory Mission on 26-29 April 2005, which provided a detailed update on recent developments and is available on the Convention's Web site.

15.3 The Government of Ukraine is expected to inform the Ramsar Secretariat on its final decision concerning a deep water navigation way through the Ramsar site. In the event of pursuing the works begun in 2004, an updated RIS and map and a consolidated report on compensation measures and their effect will be expected.

Article 3.2 reports

16. Article 3.2 requires that "each Contracting Party shall arrange to be informed at the earliest possible time if the ecological character of any wetland in its territory and included in the List has changed, is changing or is likely to change as the result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. Information on such changes shall be passed without delay to the [Ramsar Secretariat]".

17. In fulfillment of Article 3.2, in September 2003 the government of Australia reported to the Secretariat that damage had occurred to the ecological character of part of the Gwydir Wetlands: Gingham and Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) Watercourses Ramsar site. At the same time, Australia advised that it was taking legal action under its Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 against the parties concerned, with a view to seeking restoration of the site.

18. On 11 June 2004 the Federal Court found that Mr Ronald Greentree and his company, AUEN Grain Pty Ltd, had contravened the EPBC Act as a result of clearing, ploughing and wheat-cropping activities conducted within the Gwydir Ramsar Wetlands. The Court imposed a record penalty of $450 000 and ordered Mr Greentree and his company to rehabilitate the site. The Court also issued an injunction preventing further agricultural activity on the land and excluding cattle from the site until at least 2007. In a unanimous decision, an appeal against the decision was dismissed on 13 July 2005.

19. Elsewhere, in Europe the following Article 3.2 reports from Contracting Parties have also been received since COP8:

i) Bulgaria: concerning current GEF project implementation activities which are intended to improve the ecological character of the Belene Islands Complex Ramsar site;

ii) Cyprus: concerning lead poisoning of flamingos at the Larnaca Salt Lake Ramsar site, a problem which has now been resolved through the removal of contaminated sediments;

iii) Czech Republic: the continuing potential threat of the planned Danube-Oder navigation canal to two Ramsar sites, which have now been placed on the Montreux Record (see below); and

iv) Norway: concerning a pollution accident linked to works adjacent to the Ilene & Pesterødkilen Ramsar site.

20. Annex 3a lists Ramsar sites in which human-induced negative changes to their ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur, as reported by Parties in their COP9 National Reports. This includes at least 102 Ramsar sites in 28 countries.

21. However, the Secretariat advises that it receives very few Article 3.2 reports from Administrative Authorities that comply with the "without delay" terms of the Article. Rather, most Article 3.2 issues are first raised with the Secretariat by third parties - often local communities, scientific or research bodies, or nongovernmental organizations. In such cases, the standard practice of the Secretariat is to raise the matter with the relevant Administrative Authority to seek clarification of the issue and what actions if necessary are being taken to address it, and to request that the Party concerned make a formal report in line with Article 3.2 and consider, where appropriate, placing the site on the Montreux Record. A list of the 72 such Ramsar sites in 38 countries which since COP8 have been reported to the Secretariat in the first instance by third parties is provided in Annex 3b.

22. In June 2004 the Secretary General wrote to the President of Peru raising concerns over the construction of a port facility for the processing and export of natural gas, to be located in Lobería beach, within the buffer zone of the Paracas National Reserve (Paracas Ramsar site); in September 2004 he wrote to the President of Colombia concerning development of a multi-purpose port facility in Palermo (Sistema Delta Estuarino del Río Magdalena,Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Ramsar site); and in May 2005 he wrote to the Government of Kenya expressing concerns over the implications of court action halting the implementation of management planning for the Lake Naivasha Ramsar site.

23. In October 2004 the Secretariat received numerous messages concerning a large mortality of Black-necked Swans in the Santuario de la Naturaleza Carlos Anwandter Ramsar Site, Chile, which correspondents believed was related to impacts of waste discharge from an upstream cellulose factory. The Secretariat wrote to the Chile Administrative Authority on 19 November and 1 December 2004 raising these reported concerns, requesting a report in line with Article 3.2 and suggesting consideration of placing the site on the Montreux Record. On 17 December 2004 the Administrative Authority sent the Secretariat a detailed situation report and requested the Secretariat to assist further through the provision of a list of globally-recognized experts who could help in further assessment of the issue. This was provided on 22 December 2004. During a visit from the Secretariat in February 2005, the Administrative Authority requested the Secretariat's assistance in organizing an expert mission to the site, with all costs to be covered by the government of Chile. To facilitate and expedite this requested mission, which was thus not a Ramsar Advisory Mission under the terms of the Convention, the Secretariat agreed to prepare and sign the contracts with the experts selected, based on Terms of Reference provided by the Administrative Authority. The mission took place from 29 March - 4 April 2005. The experts' report and recommendations were then translated and forwarded unamended to the Administrative Authority on 7 June 2005.

24. In 2002, the Government of the United Kingdom published widely a summary consultation document on the future development of air transport in the southeastern part of the country, including the possible option of constructing an additional airport at Cliffe Marshes on parts of the "Thames Estuary and Marshes" Ramsar Site. Subsequently, many concerned individuals contacted the Secretariat. The Secretariat contacted the Administrative Authority but has yet to receive a formal response from the UK Government on its decisions following the consultation process.

25. During COP8, the Secretariat was given materials from concerned organizations about the impact of mechanical shellfisheries on intertidal ecosystems and migratory waterbird populations in the Netherlands Wadden Sea Ramsar sites. The Secretariat contacted the Netherlands Administrative Authority and is awaiting a response from the Dutch Government about the outcome of the evaluation of the shellfisheries carried out during 2003. The Secretariat understands that following action in the European Court in 2005 the shellfishery licencing in this part of the Waddensea has been suspended.

26. The Secretariat also frequently receives information about activities or policies affecting or likely to affect wetlands of recognized global significance but which have not been designated as Ramsar sites. In such instances, where appropriate, the Secretariat raises these matters with the Parties concerned in relation to their commitments under Article 3.1 for the wise use of all wetlands.

27. During the 2003-2005 triennium in particular, the Secretary General has raised concerns with the Dominican Republic over its enactment of legislation weakening the status of protected areas, including Ramsar sites; and with the Republic of Korea concerning its reclamation of the Saemangeum coastal wetlands, which form a major staging and wintering area for migratory waterbirds, including globally threatened species, and an important source of food for local communities.

28. Concerning Saemangeum, construction of the seawall designed to enclose the site continued in 2003/4 but was halted in February 2005 by legal actions before closure was completed. The Secretariat is awaiting further information from the government of the Republic of Korea concerning the present situation.

Montreux Record and Ramsar Advisory Missions

29. In relation to reports of Contracting Parties concerning changes in the ecological character of Ramsar sites (Article 3.2), two Ramsar sites since COP8 have been placed by Parties on the Montreux Record of sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. These are Mokrady dolního Podyjí (floodplain of lower Dyje River) and Poodri Ramsar sites, both in the Czech Republic, placed on the Record in June 2005.

30. Both these sites were added to the Montreux Record at the request of the Czech Government because they are potentially threatened by the planned Danube-Odra-Elbe navigation canal, the reason already invoked for the inclusion in the Montreux Record of the Donau-March Auen Ramsar site (Austria) in 1990.

31. In addition, the Government of Chad has advised the Secretariat that it is preparing to place the Partie tchadienne du lac Tchad Ramsar site on the Montreux Record.

32. The Government of Nicaragua has also advised that it is preparing to place the Sistema de Humedales de la Bahía de Bluefields Ramsar site on the Montreux Record and it has requested a Ramsar Advisory Mission, which is provisionally planned for December 2005.

33. The following three Ramsar sites in the Ukraine have been removed from the Montreux Record since COP8: Karkinitski & Dzharylgatska Bays, Tendrivska Bay, and Yagorlytska Bay.

34. Algeria has advised the Secretariat of its intention to remove the Oasis de Ouled Saïd Ramsar site that was placed on the Montreux Record in 2001. In line with established practice the Secretariat is seeking the advice of the STRP on this request, which will be transmitted to Algeria.

35. In its COP9 National Report, Poland indicates that it is preparing to remove two sites (Jezioro Siedmiu Wysp and Slonsk Reserve) from the Montreux Record, following improvements in their ecological character.

36. A joint 2003 Ramsar Advisory Mission (with the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme) was sent to the Kyliiske Mouth (Danube Delta) Ramsar site, in relation to concerns over the impact of the Ukraine's development of the Bystroe Canal as a shipping channel (see paragraph 15 above).

37. In August 2005 a Ramsar Advisory Mission took place to Georgia concerning the Kulevi oil terminal construction site within Wetlands of Central Kolkheti Ramsar site and the provision of compensation areas under Article 4.2 of the Convention (see paragraph 14 above).

38. In September 2005 a RAM took place to Croatia, concerning Kopacki Rit Ramsar site, to advise on the feasibility of its removal from the Montreux Record and to discuss the opportunities of transboundary cooperation with the Béda-Karapancsa Ramsar site (Hungary) upstream and the adjacent potential Ramsar site Gornje Podunavlje in the Vojvodina region of Serbia and Montenegro.

39. In October 2005 a RAM will take place to Serbia and Montenegro and Albania concerning Lake Skadar, a transboundary Ramsar site shared by Montenegro (Serbia and Montenegro) and Albania, to look into several management issues and advise on the modalities of transborder cooperation.

40. In their COP9 National Report, Uganda indicates that a Ramsar Advisory Mission will be requested for the Lake George Ramsar site.

41. The Federal Government of Nigeria has requested a Ramsar Advisory Mission to the Nguru Lake (and Marma Channel) complex Ramsar site to advise on whether it should be placed on the Montreux Record.

Annex 1

Ramsar Sites Designated since COP8

Source : Ramsar Sites Database, 20 September 2005