The
Ramsar Convention on WetlandsThe
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
4th meeting of the Mediterrean Wetlands Committee, Sesimbra, Portugal, 21-23 May 2001 - Conclusions
DOC. MC4/17
Conclusions
The Mediterranean Wetlands Committee (MedWet/Com) . . .
consisting of officially designated representatives from the following 20 countries: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, The FYR of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia; the Palestinian Authority; the European Commission; the United Nations Environment Programme - Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan (Barcelona Convention, RAC-SPA); the Ramsar Convention Bureau; and the following seven organizations working on wetland-related issues in the Mediterranean: BirdLife International, Greek Biotope / Wetland Centre, IUCN - The World Conservation Union, the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat (France), the Sede para el Estudio de los Humedales Mediterráneos of the University of Valencia – SEHUMED (Spain), Wetlands International, and the World Wide Fund for Nature - WWF,
meeting for the fourth time, in the town of Sesimbra, Portugal, on 20-23 May 2001,
GENERAL POINTS:
1. APPRECIATES AND WELCOMES the presence at the opening session of the meeting of the Secretary of State for Land Use Planning and Nature Conservation of Portugal, Mr. Pedro Silva Pereira, the President of the Institute for Nature Conservation (ICN), Arq. Carlos Guerra, and the Mayor of Sesimbra, Mr. Amadeu Penin;
2. NOTES the continued interest of the Mediterranean countries, and many intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and wetland centres in the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet), as demonstrated by the representation of 32 full members in this Fourth Meeting of MedWet/Com in Sesimbra, and regrets that Israel, Jordan, Libya, Malta, Monaco, the Bern Convention (Council of Europe), and UNDP were unable to participate;
3. WELCOMES the participation of observers from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, non-governmental organizations of Portugal, and invited speakers:
4. WELCOMES the continued active participation of the European Commission and expresses the hope that additional efforts will be made to strengthen MedWet collaboration with the Commission, with a view to further using the available EC instruments for conservation and sustainable use of Mediterranean wetlands, in particular the Short and Medium-Term Priority Environmental Action Programme (SMAP), LIFE-Nature, and LIFE-Third Countries, and encourages the MedWet Coordinator and the Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands to increase their efforts towards this goal; and
5. EXPRESSES ITS PROFOUND GRATITUDE to the Government of Portugal, and particularly to ICN – the Institute for Nature Conservation of Portugal, for hosting graciously the meeting in Sesimbra and covering all its costs, including funding the participation of sponsored delegates from a number of Mediterranean countries; and, in addition, NOTES WITH SATISFACTION the assurances by the Secretary of State related to the increasing efforts of the Portuguese government in favour of the wise use of wetlands, its continuing support of the MedWet Initiative, and the establishment in the near future of a Portuguese wetland centre.
AGENDA ITEMS:
The Mediterranean Wetlands Committee, after studying the working documents of the meeting, and debating the issues on the agenda in plenary sessions and workshops:
6. EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION for the work carried out within the framework of the MedWet Initiative since April 2000, as presented in detail in the reports ‘From Djerba to Sesimbra: Report on the MedWet Initiative, April 2000 to April 2001’ [DOC MC4/02], and ‘Follow-up on conclusions of MedWet/Com3’ [INFO MC4/13];
7. NOTES WITH SATISFACTION the decision of the Ramsar Standing Committee in October 2000 to accept the generous proposal of Greece to fund and host the MedWet Coordination Unit in Athens for the interim period 2001 and 2002, and the also generous offer of Spain to second a staff member for this Unit; ALSO NOTES the progress made towards the establishment of the Unit as reported by the Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands, and FURTHER URGES all parties involved to proceed rapidly with the appointment of the new MedWet Coordinator and the opening of the Unit [Agenda item 2.1];
8. EXPRESSES ITS DEEP APPRECIATION of the contribution made by the past MedWet Coordinator, Mr. Thymio Papayannis, during the first 10 years of MedWet, and of his willingness to ensure the continuity of the MedWet Coordination during the first semester of 2001 and a smooth transition to the new Coordination Unit;
9. AGREES that at the next meeting of the MedWet/Com a proposal be submitted to revise the Rules of Procedure in order to allow designation of honorary members in the MedWet/Com. In the meanwhile, it ALSO AGREES to invite Mr. Thymio Papayannis to remain involved in the MedWet Initiative and to attend MedWet/Com meetings as an observer;
10. NOTES the significant progress made in the establishment of the MedWet Regions Network with the very valuable assistance of the Tour du Valat and the financial support of the French Government, the Regions of Languedoc-Roussillon, the Balearic Islands and Andalusia, and the Fondation Sansouire; and ENCOURAGES the MedWet Coordination Unit and any interested MedWet/Com members to work diligently for the establishment of the other two networks approved during MedWet/Com3, namely the MedWet Sites Network and the MedWet NGOs Network [Agenda item 2.2] (see also paragraphs 19.4 to 19.6);
11. CONGRATULATES Albania, Greece and The FYR of Macedonia for the progress made in the establishment of the Coordination Committee of the transboundary Prespa Park, with the participation of government, local community and NGO representatives, and of Ramsar/MedWet, and for launching the first concrete joint activities, and ENCOURAGES the MedWet Coordination Unit to continue its support of this initiative [Agenda item 2.3a];
12. NOTES the satisfactory development in the execution of the MedWetCoast project, and encourages the MedWet/Com members to increase their efforts for its successful completion [Agenda item 2.3b]; FURTHER NOTES the intention of Algeria, Syria and Turkey to be associated with the MedWetCoast project by carrying out similar activities; and ENCOURAGES efforts to develop parallel relevant projects in these three countries;
13. NOTES WITH SATISFACTION the general development of MedWet-related activities and projects run by the three centres which constitute the MedWet Technical Network, namely EKBY, SEHUMED and the Tour du Valat, and by other MedWet/Com members, and in particular those presented during the fourth meeting of the MedWet/Com, including: [Agenda item 2.3]:
14. ALSO NOTES WITH APPRECIATION the commitment of the three wetland centres (EKBY, SEHUMED, and Tour du Valat), within the structure of the MedWet Initiative, to continue providing their support in technical and scientific issues and developing and coordinating projects, as they are defined in the MedWet work plan for the years 2001-2002. This support will be provided jointly through the collaboration with the MedWet Coordination Unit and the Ramsar Convention Bureau;
15. NOTES WITH APPRECIATION the progress made in the further development and implementation of the MedWet Inventory System, and in the establishment of a MedWet Inventory Working Group (MW/IWG) formed by ICN, EKBY, Tour du Valat, SEHUMED, Wetlands International, and the MedWet Coordination Unit and led by ICN-Portugal, and of a MedWet Database Technical Unit (MWD-TU), based at EKBY, according to specific Terms of Reference (see Annex 2); and URGES all partners involved to work towards the goal of a compatible inventory of all Mediterranean wetlands by the year 2010 [Agenda item 2.4];
16. CONSIDERS the signature early this year of a Memorandum of Collaboration between the Ramsar Bureau and the UNEP Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan as an event of major importance, NOTES the beginning of concrete collaboration; and URGES the two secretariats to strengthen through MedWet and RAC/SPA the operational links between the Barcelona and the Ramsar Conventions;
17. ENCOURAGES the involvement of MedWet in water-related issues, especially in the context of the Global Water Partnership in the Mediterranean, and URGES its active participation in the partnership established first through MEDTAC (Mediterranean Technical Advisory Committee) and later with GWP-Med, its successor;
18. ADOPTS the suggestions included in the Appendix I of the working document on the new Ramsar Strategic Plan and the Mediterranean specificities [DOC MC4/ 03.I] and invites further comments to be transmitted to the Ramsar Bureau not later than 15 June 2001 [Agenda item 3.1];
19. ACCEPTS the priorities proposed in the MedWet work plan 2001 to 2002 [DOC MC4/04], with the following additions and modifications [Agenda item 3.2]:
Institutional and administrative work
19.1 ESTABLISHES as the highest priority to ensure the future operation of the MedWet Coordination Unit. To reach this objective it was agreed that it is necessary to clarify, on a long-term basis, the mission, functioning, budget and financing of the MedWet Coordination Unit. In order to achieve this result, MedWet/Com REQUESTS the Ramsar Bureau to provide to all MedWet/Com members more detailed and documented information on its proposals concerning the long-term future and funding in support of the MedWet Initiative (including added value, structure and operation of the MedWet Coordination Unit and its relation to the Ramsar structure and analytical budget) by 30 June 2001; and INVITES members to provide comments by 30 September 2001; ALSO SUGGESTS that the proposal to be submitted to the Ramsar Standing Committee at its meeting on 3-7 December 2001 should include alternative solutions and eventually the addition of a percentage of the MedWet cost in the Ramsar core budget; FURTHER PROPOSES, in order to convince the Ramsar Standing Committee, to proceed to an assessment of the contribution of MedWet during the past decade and of its capability to offer its experience outside the Mediterranean, based on the fact that Resolution VII.22 of COP 7 recognised the importance of the MedWet initiative and approved the establishment of the MedWet/Com, and considering as well that the MedWet structure and products can be used all over the world; FURTHER ADVISES the Ramsar Bureau to examine the feasibility and necessity of a meeting at the level of Directors General to take a final decision on the proposal to be submitted to the Ramsar Standing Committee;
19.2 REQUESTS the MedWet Coordination Unit to promote effective functioning of the National Ramsar/Wetland Committees, with participation of NGOs and other relevant stakeholders, as invited by resolutions of the Ramsar COP;
19.3 REQUESTS the Ramsar Bureau to involve the MedWet Coordination Unit in the Ramsar Advisory Missions regarding wetlands included in the Montreux Record in the Mediterranean region;
Networks
19.4 ESTABLISHES that the second highest priority is to develop and launch as soon as possible the North African Wetlands Network, to be added to the existing MedWet Technical Network. Taking into consideration the available resources, the main function of this new MedWet network will be to provide support to the MedWet/Com members in the development and implementation of projects (see also paragraph 25 below);
19.5 NOTES WITH SATISFACTION that by the end of 2001 the wetland centre to be established in Portugal could join the MedWet Technical Network;
19.6 INVITES all members to assist WWF-MEDPO in the establishment of the MedWet/NGO network, including the identification of goals, structure and work plan, and to facilitate the integration of this new network in the overall MedWet structure;
Projects and initiatives
19.7 ESTABLISHES that in this area the highest priority is to complete ongoing projects and projects currently under development. It is necessary to better ensure the sustainability and potential replication of MedWet projects.
19.8 ENDORSES the continuation of the following actions and the development of the following projects:
19.8.1 distribution and dissemination of the results of the SEHUMED project: "Evaluation of the quality of the aquatic environment in wetlands", encouraging the possibility of using this tool in MedWet/Com member countries that may be interested;
19.8.2 support to the participation of Algeria, Syria and Turkey in the MedWetCoast project;
19.8.3 promotion of the application of the MedWet Inventory System in as many countries as possible, including fund-raising efforts for this activity;
19.8.4 enhancement of the "All about salt- ALAS" project through MedWet/Com members’ support;
19.8.5 support to the Shkodra Lake project (Albania and Yugoslavia (Montenegro));
19.8.6 development of one or more projects in the framework of the EC SMAP program (2002);
19.8.7 support to the integrated management of the Soca river (Slovenia);
19.8.8 assistance, through the appropriate channels, in the development of transboundary projects for Dojran Lake (Greece and The FYR of Macedonia) and Evros / Maritsa / Meric River (Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey);
19.8.9 continued and strengthened assistance to the efforts of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia for the integrated management of the Neretva River wetlands;
19.9 REQUESTS the MedWet Coordination Unit to seek partners to develop a project proposal related to Mediterranean wetlands and climate change, within the framework of the work being carried out by the Ramsar Convention in this area (see also paragraph 29 below);
The Mediterranean presence at Ramsar COP8
19.10 REQUESTS the MedWet Coordinator to prepare an overview of MedWet achievements for presentation during Ramsar COP8 through appropriate means. This overview should include an assessment of the state of Mediterranean wetlands with two aims: a) to set a baseline for future assessment of MedWet activities through key indicators; and b) to draw a clear picture of the concrete results of all MedWet projects at the end of the first decade;
19.11 ESTABLISHES that two MedWet-related resolutions are to be submitted to Ramsar COP8 as specified in paragraph number 10 of working document DOC MC4/08;
19.12 ENDORSES, in addition, the announcement of Spain of its intention to submit a draft Resolution about the cultural heritage of wetlands, and INVITES other Parties also to consider sponsoring that Resolution;
19.13 PROPOSES that each Technical Session of COP8 include a presentation by a MedWet/Com member, including: a) MedWet Inventory System, in Technical Session 2; and b) methodology of cultural heritage inventory, salinas and water management, in Technical Session 5, on the grounds that the specificity of Mediterranean wetlands covers a variety of aspects, such as high biodiversity, endangered ecological systems, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, etc.;
19.14 SUGGESTS that a multimedia CD-ROM be prepared for a MedWet side event during COP8, containing a general presentation of MedWet, and that additional promotional material should be considered (e.g., a sample of wetland products);
19.15 INVITES the MedWet Coordination Unit to convene a one-day MedWet/Com meeting immediately before Ramsar COP8;
19.16 REQUESTS THAT arrangements be made to have a stand allocated to the MedWet Technical Network and other MedWet/Com members in order to present their activities and projects related to MedWet;
20. APPROVES the guidelines for the preparation of the MedWet operational plan 2003-2005, as proposed in document DOC MC4/05 [Agenda item 3.3];
21. REQUESTS that the MedWet Coordination Unit intensify its support for the development of similar regional initiatives in the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea;
22. NOTES WITH APPRECIATION the proposal of the Government of Turkey to host the Fifth Meeting of MedWet/Com and requests the Ramsar Bureau to consult with Turkey in deciding on the most suitable date during 2003 [Agenda item 7];
23. EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION of the work carried out during the Technical Session on "Mediterranean salinas: Tradition and sustainable use" during this meeting, and REQUESTS that the conclusions of this session be attached as an annex to the present document and taken seriously into account in establishing the MedWet work plans;
FURTHER CONSERVATION AND WISE USE ACTIVITIES:
Concerning the implementation of the principle of wise use of wetlands in the Mediterranean, MedWet/Com:
24. WELCOMES WITH GREAT SATISFACTION the designation by Algeria on 2 February 2001, World Wetlands Day, of ten new Ramsar Sites covering a total area of 1,861,370 hectares and the commitment to designate 10 more sites by Ramsar COP8, and CONGRATULATES the Living Waters Campaign of WWF International for assisting in this major achievement, while encouraging efforts for the integrated management and conservation of these sites;
25. NOTES with satisfaction the initial agreement reached in Sesimbra by Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia for the establishment of a North African Wetland Network in the framework of MedWet, as proposed in the diplomatic note transmitted to Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia on 10 November 2000, and REQUESTS the Ramsar Bureau and the MedWet Coordination Unit to start working as soon as possible with the interested countries in the subregion to develop an umbrella project made up of a series of national actions to be submitted to suitable funding agencies, as per paragraph 19.2 above;
26. WELCOMES the accession of Libya to the Convention on Wetlands and the designation of two Ramsar sites, NOTES the completion by Cyprus of the necessary preparatory steps for accession with the designation of Larnaca Lake as a Ramsar site, and ENCOURAGES Bosnia and Herzegovina to speed up procedures in order to become a Contracting Party to the Convention;
27. NOTES with satisfaction the mission assigned by the French Government to the Tour du Valat as "resource centre" ("pôle-relais") for Mediterranean lagoons within the framework of the National Action Plan for Wetlands;
28. REAFFIRMS strongly the priority to be given to communications, environmental awareness and public participation, especially in the Mediterranean, REQUESTS that all Contracting Parties implement Resolution VII.9 of Ramsar COP7 (The Convention’s Outreach Programme, 1999-2002), including the designation of their governmental and non-governmental focal points, and FURTHER REQUESTS that the MedWet Coordination Unit identify an institution willing to act as the focal point for communication and public awareness actions within the MedWet Initiative;
29. NOTES that no progress has been made during the past 12 months on the issue of climate change and its impact on Mediterranean wetlands, and REQUESTS strongly that the MedWet Coordination Unit to identify competent partners for initiating actions in this area, in coordination with the related actions undertaken by the Ramsar Bureau, as per paragraph 19.8 above;
30. RECOGNIZES the worsening situation in the long term, due to severe drought and increased desertification, in the eastern Mediterranean, and URGES MedWet to identify activities of mutual interest with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and to seek further partners for initiating special programmes to protect the wetlands of this region;
FINAL POINTS:
31. URGES AGAIN that training be incorporated as an important component in all MedWet projects;
32. RECONFIRMS that the selection of priority projects for development be made using the following criteria:
a) multinational and cross-sectoral projects that strengthen the MedWet network (such as methodological tools, communications and public awareness tools, establishment of the North African Wetland Network, etc.), and/or
b) projects that allow the best use of wetland resources and projects in a framework of sustainability; and/or
c) original projects that include and organize local actors towards integrated development and aim at the improvement of the legal and institutional framework, using the guidelines adopted by Ramsar COP7 on this subject (Resolution VII.7, Guidelines for reviewing laws and institutions to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands); and/or
d) international collaborative projects that generate rules and agreements, which can be duplicated;
33. WELCOMES the existing collaboration with various funding organizations and programmes such as the European Commission, GEF, FFEM, and other bilateral donors, and RECOMMENDS sharing this experience of resource mobilization with the MedWet partners and building new collaborations with other funding sources;
34. URGES governments and other members of MedWet/Com to consider secondments to the MedWet Coordination Unit and/or the Ramsar Bureau for MedWet-related functions.
35. REQUESTS the Ramsar Secretary General to respond to the request for admission to MedWet/Com received from the Mediterranean Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) and from MED Forum (Mediterranean NGOs Network for Ecology and Sustainable Development), expressing the Committee’s appreciation of their interest in its work and inviting them to establish a working relation with the MedWet Coordination Unit on concrete areas of mutual interest. The Committee would be happy to reconsider their request for admission, if still interested, once this working relation has been established and has proved to be mutually satisfying.
ANNEX 1
Conclusions of a Technical
Session on:
"Mediterranean salinas: tradition and sustainable use"
Introduction
1. Salinas (salines, salt-pans) are shallow, usually coastal, lagoons in which saline water is allowed to evaporate under the heat of the sun and the resulting salt crystals are gathered for domestic and industrial use. The Mediterranean Basin has for many centuries been a major source of this vital commodity, and people have built many systems that cover from 10 to over 12,000 hectares. The 170 salinas of the region, largely created from areas of natural saltmarsh, have themselves developed major importance for their specially adapted fauna and flora, while producing around 7 million tonnes of salt per year.
2. Yet Mediterranean salinas are today facing many pressures in the face of changing social values and economic stresses, notably their conversion from low intensity to mechanized production, or their abandonment or conversion to other uses such as urbanization, rice production, or aquaculture. All of these affect their role as a cultural landscape and the coexistence of sustainable salt production and natural biodiversity.
3. Major challenges exist in finding ways of managing these vital features of the Mediterranean coastal landscape and their wetlands to maintain their cultural and natural importance. This MedWet/Com4 Technical Workshop has reviewed the current state of Mediterranean salinas, learnt from case studies of actions being taken to manage salinas, and identified the priority actions for the MedWet Initiative to contribute to ensuring the future sustainable management of this resource.
Values and functions of Mediterranean salinas
4. Salt is a vital commodity that has played a key role throughout history, providing political power to those who controlled its production, as well as influencing the landscape of the region. Salinas are part of the cultural heritage of salt producing communities in the Mediterranean where salt production has been undertaken for many centuries and by many civilizations.
5. Salinas generally form parts of a mosaic with natural wetlands in estuaries and other coastal systems and contain areas of high biodiversity value. Today, the biological value of salinas is of particular importance along the Mediterranean coastline, which has been severely altered by expanding economic activities. Salinas provide refuges for a number of flora and fauna species specially adapted to high and variable salinities. They are a safe haven for large numbers of waterbirds, which use them for breeding (often in large colonies) or as wintering and refueling sites during stop-over on their transcontinental migrations between Europe and Africa.
6. Salinas are biologically rich despite being artificial habitats. This is partly because they are wetlands, and because human interventions ensure the circulation of water. In addition, salinas contain a number of relatively undisturbed aquatic and terrestrial habitats that make them vital for the conservation of waterbirds.
7. World-wide, salt production reaches around 200 million tonnes per year, and the overall contribution from the Mediterranean accounts for around 12% of salt sold within Europe. Some 40% is used in industry, 35% for treating roads to avoid icing in winter, and 10% for human consumption.
Pressures and threats
8. The fragile socio-economic balance is linked to a market which is subject to competition from cheaper terrestrially-produced salt and world trade. Faced with the need to be economically viable, Mediterranean salinas are faced with the choice of closing, industrializing their production, or finding a niche market for quality salt that gives higher market returns. Where salinas close, this leads to an immediate loss of their biodiversity as continual circulation of water is essential to maintain these values.
9. The closing down of salinas is also due to competition from more economically attractive activities to use this prime coastal space, transforming salinas into ports, airports, aquaculture farms, industrial, urban or tourist zones.
10. The current trend to cease, or consolidate, salt production in many parts of the Mediterranean has created many inactive and intermittently exploited salinas with buildings and hydrological infrastructures falling into ruin. This is exacerbated by competition for space along the Mediterranean coastline for urbanization, industry, and tourism. Although salt production occurs throughout the Mediterranean basin, it is on the northern edge that, paradoxically, the main production is found, together with the largest number of inactive salinas.
Current issues and opportunities
The workshop heard from speakers from Egypt, France, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, Lebanon and Yugoslavia who drew out the following common themes in salinas management in the region:
11. Limited information exists on the present economic situation in salinas and the traditional knowledge of salt production. There is a need to improve the awareness of these important issues.
12. While some financial incentives exist to maintain traditional harvesting approaches, through specific short-term projects, there is a need to look closely at how added value can be gained, through ecotourism, targeted products or improved markets, to maintain the financial viability of the smaller systems in the long term. The ecotourism potential and educational values of traditional salinas, in the context of sustainable management of Mediterranean coastlines, has yet to be fully developed but holds the potential to provide diversified income for salinas managers while also promoting their eco-friendly products to niche consumers.
13. Networks of salinas managers are emerging through the local initiatives of governments, NGOs and cooperatives (several of whom are MedWetCom members or associates), and these are proving useful in supporting communities who wish to benefit from experience elsewhere.
14. When salinas close due to financial problems, the costs of continuing water circulation and maintenance for biodiversity alone remain significant, yet there is no revenue from the sale of salt. An approach that assists salinas to maintain their social and financial viability may prove more sustainable in the medium term. It therefore appears essential to seek innovative local partnerships and financial mechanisms, rather than to adopt a legal/regulatory approach, to ensure that the salt remains an economically viable end product.
15. A number of models and experimental approaches exist that seek to maintain or restablish the cultural and/or biodiversity values of individual salinas (e.g., ALAS project, France, Slovenia, Lebanon) and they have so far proved encouraging in meeting cultural, financial and biodiversity objectives. The workshop heard about salt museums, marketing initiatives, ecotourism approaches, guided tours, and training of salt producers as some examples of current initiatives in the region.
Future action for the wise use of salinas
The MedWet/Com4 Technical Session
16. CONCLUDES that
17. For traditionally managed salinas there exist opportunities to maintain this traditional management, working with salters and local communities, in recognition that such management maintains both their cultural and historic values and landscapes and their wetlands and biodiversity importance. It is recognized that under current economic conditions maintenance of such management on a large scale may not economically viable. Traditional management of at least part of each salina maintains the cultural, educational and touristic values and their potential for local income generation.
18. Large-scale salinas under intensive mechanized production can, when appropriately managed, maintain significant biodiversity importance, notably in supporting breeding and non-breeding waterbirds, although such salinas may have lost their cultural and historical significance. Working with salina owners and managers, management regimes can be developed that maximize the maintenance of biodiversity without jeopardizing salt production capacity, and that capitalize on the tourism potential of such systems.
19. Where salinas, whether under traditional or mechanized production methods, fall into disuse, there exist opportunities for their restoration to natural habitats such as saltmarshes and/or the maintenance of their hydrology, whilst recognizing that this may not always be financially viable owing to the high cost of such hydrological maintenance and high value of coastal land for other land uses;
20. ENCOURAGES MedWet/Com members to support existing networks and programmes seeking to maintain the cultural and natural values of salinas in their countries and the Mediterranean region;
21. RECOMMENDS that the MedWet Coordinator (as resources allow) establish a multi-sectoral MedWet Salinas Working Group, drawn from participants in the Technical Session, representatives of industry and cooperatives, and other relevant experts, with responsibility for, inter alia,
a) compiling a summary of the status and trends of Mediterranean salinas, drawing on existing sources and information provided by MedWet/Com members and others, for inclusion in MedWet reporting to Ramsar COP8;
b) ensuring that the design of a MedWet project for assessment of Mediterranean ecosystems as a contribution to the sub-global component of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) includes salinas;
c) promoting a multi-sectoral "wise use of salinas" network that encourages a partnership approach involving the salinas industry, cultural and historical, wetland and biodiversity interests, building upon existing site and project networks such as ALAS; and
d) enhancing exchange of experience in and increased awareness of sustainable salinas management, including guidelines for the wise use of Mediterranean salinas; and
23. URGES that the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment include salt as a wetland product in its global analysis of ecosystem goods and services, scenarios and response options;
24. REQUESTS the MedWet Coordinator to report on the progress of the MedWet Salinas Working Group to the next MedWet/Com meeting;
25. RECOMMENDS that the Ramsar Convention include the theme "Salinas" in the technical workshops of COP8.
ANNEX 2
Future Coordination and Development of the MedWet Inventory System: Establishment of MedWet Inventory Working Group (IWG) & its MedWet Database Technical Unit (MWD-TU)
Background
1. The MedWet-I project (1993-96) developed a standard methodology for wetland inventory in the Mediterranean region, as a joint work between Instituto da Conservação da Natureza (ICN) and Wetlands International. The Greek Biotope / Wetland Centre (EKBY) participated in this project by developing mapping procedures. Since then, this methodology has been used in a number of MedWet projects and in other wetland inventory projects (Portugal, Greece, France, Slovenia, etc.). It is currently being considered by the Ramsar Convention as a standard framework for wetland inventory worldwide.
2. ICN was designated by the MedWet/Com2 as the focal point of the MedWet Initiative for all issues related to wetland inventory.
3. A set of MedWet inventory tools has been produced, including a reference manual with the theoretical approach, standard datasheets, a habitat classification system, a mapping procedure and a database (MedWet Database) for storing the inventory data.
4. The success of the MedWet Inventory System has increasingly led to its being adopted, and adapted, for use in different countries both in the Mediterranean Basin and elsewhere. These include notably the further development of the inventory database by EKBY to include monitoring and mapping facilities, and other countries adapting the MWD2000 database for their specific needs and purposes.
5. The MedWet Team, meeting in Thessaloniki on 10-12 December 2000, reviewed the developments of the MedWet Inventory System and particularly the database developments, and agreed :
i) the creation of an Inventory Working Group (IWG) with the following general objectives:
a) to guarantee standardization and compatibility in the use of the MedWet Inventory tools,
b) to establish a consistent framework for continuously reviewing, updating and disseminating the MedWet Inventory tools.
ii) the creation of a Technical Unit (within the IWG) for the development of the MedWet Database (MWD/TU) in order to provide technical assistance regarding installation, operation, support and upgrading of the database and implementing the decisions of the IWG regarding the database.
Operating structure and partnerships
6. The IWG consists of representatives from ICN, EKBY, Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Sede para el Estudio de los Humedales Mediterráneos (SEHUMED), Wetlands International, and the MedWet Coordination Unit and operates under the chairing of ICN. Each organization represented on the IWG will identify a focal point for IWG work.
7. Experts and representatives of other relevant organizations can be invited to participate as observers. These could include particularly those agencies using the MedWet Inventory tools in the Mediterranean region or other end-users. The Ramsar Convention Bureau will participate ex officio.
8. The MedWet Database Technical Unit (MWD-TU) will provide technical support to the IWG by undertaking the development and upgrading of the MedWet Database software and training in its use. The MWD-TU is based in EKBY and operates under its responsibility, with the guidance of the MedWet IWG.
9. The IWG will meet annually, preferably immediately before the MedWet/Com meetings. Extra meetings may be organised according to need, and available resources. The meetings will be convened by ICN, based on an agenda previously circulated to the IWG members. Decisions will be taken by consensus.
10. Between meetings the IWG will communicate by electronic means for any strategic or technical matter, as necessary. Decisions for urgent matters may be subject to approval through distant electronic communication.
11. Progress reports and achievements by the IWG and the MWD-TU are reported to the MedWet Coordination Unit, the MedWet/Com, and the Ramsar Bureau.
Main functions and tasks
12. The IWG will:
a) keep under review the overall aims and objectives of the MedWet Inventory System, and recommend changes as appropriate;
b) elaborate and approve any revisions, improvements and changes to all MedWet Inventory tools as necessary;
c) discuss and approve the requirements for upgrading and updating these MedWet Inventory tools, according to the development of the new technologies;
d) test, validate and accept any changes made to these MedWet Inventory tools;
e) promote and disseminate these MedWet Inventory tools, including through the MedWet Web site and other methods as appropriate;
f) follow activities related to projects using these MedWet Inventory tools;
g) assist Ramsar’s Scientific & Technical Review Panel in the development, review and implementation of the ‘Ramsar Inventory System’ and guidelines on wetland inventory; and seek to ensure that the MedWet Inventory tools are compatible with this guidance;
h) provide technical assistance and training to countries, agencies, projects and others that wish use the MedWet Inventory tools.;
i) develop and approve the working plan for implementing future developments of the MedWet Inventory System;
j) assist the MedWet Coordination Unit to identify and seek sources of funding for the projects and tasks for implementing the IWG Work Plan.
13. The MWD-TU will, under the guidance of the IWG:
a) further improve the MWD software by implementing the decisions of the IWG;
b) develop, upgrade and provide training and support to the installation and operation of the MWD;
c) further develop the MWD in order to service monitoring and mapping purposes, and other functionality as identified;
d) promote and disseminate the MWD and its use in different countries through the MedWet Web site and other methods as appropriate;
e) investigate options and develop mechanisms for linking the different users of the MWD, e.g. through an Intranet, with a view to establishing a pan-Mediterranean Wetlands Database.
IWG Work Plan
14. An annual IWG Work Plan will be developed with timetable and outputs, according to roles and tasks assigned to the partners. The work plan will be drafted by the leader of the IWG and distributed to all IWG members well in advance in order to be finalized at each IWG annual meeting for incorporation into the overall MedWet Work Plan.
For further
information about MedWet or the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue
Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail
ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 6 June 2001, updated 22 June 2001, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.
