Transcript Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

Convention on Wetlands
of International
Importance, Especially As
Waterfowl Habitat
(Ramsar Convention)
Adopted at:
Ramsar City, Iran (1971)
Ramsar Convention:
Article 1
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Definition of “wetlands”
. . . [W]etlands are areas of marsh, fen,
peatland or water, whether natural or artificial,
permanent or temporary, with water that is
static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt,
including areas of marine water the depth of
which at low tide does not exceed six metres.
Status of the Ramsar
Convention
Came into force in 1975
 131 Parties to the Convention;
 1150 wetland sites designated,
totaling 96.3 million hectares
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Ramsar Convention:
Preamble
•DESIRING to stem the progressive
encroachment on and loss of wetlands now
and in the future;
•RECOGNIZING that waterfowl in their
seasonal migrations may transcend frontiers
and so should be regarded as an international
resource;
•BEING CONFIDENT that the conservation of
wetlands and their flora and fauna can be
ensured by combining far-sighted national
policies with co-ordinated international action.
Ramsar Convention:
Criteria for Listing Wetland
Sites, Article 2
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Contains representative, rare, or unique example of
natural or near natural wetland in region;
Supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically
endangered species;
Supports populations of plant and/or animal species
important for maintaining regional biodiversity;
If wetland supports 20,000 or more waterbirds;
If regularly supports 1% of individuals in a population
or one species or subspecies of waterbird;
Supports significant proportion of indigenous fish
subspecies, species, or families … that contribute to
global biodiversity
Important source of food for fishes, spawning
grounds, nursery, or migration path that fish stocks
depend on
Ramsar Convention:
Article 2
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Designation of List of Wetlands of
International Importance:
– Each contracting party to designate
wetlands within its territory for inclusion
in the list;
– Selection to be based on “account of their
international significance in terms of
ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or
hydrology.”
Ramsar Convention:
Article 3
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Planning/Information:
– Contracting parties to “formulate and implement
their planning so as to promote the conservation
of wetlands included in the List, and as far as
possible the wise use of wetlands in their
territory;”
– “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 organization or
government responsible for the continuing bureau
duties specified in Article 8. ”
Ramsar Convention:
Article 4
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Management Measures:
– Each party to promote conservation of wetlands
and waterfowl by establishing nature reserves on
wetlands;
– If party in “urgent national interest” deletes or
restricts boundaries of a wetland, should seek to
compensate for loss of wetlands, including
creation of additional nature reserves for
waterfowl and measures to protect original
habitat
– Parties to seek to increase waterfowl populations
on wetlands
– Parties to engage in research, data exchange and
training of personnel in wetlands research,
management, wardening.
Ramsar Convention:
Article 6
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Conference of the Parties
– COP to convene meeting at least
every three years to:
Discuss implementation of Convention;
 Discuss additions/changes to the list;
 Make recommendations to the Parties
on conservation, management, wise
use of wetlands;
 Request reports and other information
from international bodies on wetlands
issues
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Ramsar Convention:
Article 8
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Bureau:
– International Union for the Conservation
of Nature entrusted with continuing
bureau duties;
– Duties include:
Assist in convening COP;
 Maintain list of Wetlands of International
Importance and changes by the Parties;
 Make known recommendations of the COPs in
respect to alterations of list or changes in
character of wetlands.
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