Protected coastlines
Our coastlines are some of the most beautiful in the world. To protect certain areas of these, Jersey signed up to the Ramsar Convention.
What is the Ramsar Convention?
The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international co-operation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
How many parties are included?
There are presently 159 contracting parties to the convention, with 1,888 wetland sites, totaling 185.3 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
Jersey’s Ramsar sites
Jersey has designated 4 Ramsar sites:
- south east coast of Jersey
- Les Écréhous & Les Dirouilles
- Les Minquiers
- Les Pierres de Lecq (the Paternosters)
Ramsar Management Authority (RMA)
The Ramsar Management Authority was established in early 2010 to formulate and implement the Ramsar management plans that will be produced for each of the 4 Ramsar sites. The authority consists of stakeholders including:
- government and parish representatives
- Receiver General
- various non-governmental organisations
RMA agendas
Download RMA Agenda 12 April 2011 (size 20kb)
Download RMA Agenda 18 January 2011 (size 19kb)
Download RMA Agenda 4 March 2010 (size 22kb)
Download RMA Agenda 28 July 2010 (size 22kb)
Download RMA Agenda 12 October 2010 (size 21kb)
RMA minutes
Download RMA Minutes 18 January 2011 (size 27kb)
Download RMA Minutes 12 October 2011 (size 31kb)
Download RMA Minutes 4 March 2010 (size 32kb)
Download RMA Minutes 28 July 2010 (size 29kb)
Management plan
Jersey has an obligation under the Convention to prepare a management plan for each of the Ramsar sites. The Ramsar Management Authority has published the management plan for the south east coast and is working on the other 3 plans.
Once a management plan is published the Authority work to fulfil the objectives and implement the action plans.
Download Ramsar Les Ecrehous management plan (size 1mb)
Download Ramsar Les Minquiers management plan (size 859kb)
Download Ramsar Paternosters management plan (size 899kb)
Download Ramsar SE coast management plan (size 806kb)
Technical subgroup
A technical subgroup of the RMA was also established in 2010. This subgroup considers and makes representation on behalf of the Authority to any plans or projects that are proposed.
To date, the subgroup has considered Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), applications for discharge permits, waste licences and a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA).
All representations are available to view below.
Download EIA Town Park June 2010 (size 30kb)
Download RMA discharge permit June 2010(size 21kb)
Download waste licence August 2010 (size 19kb)
Download FEPA La Collette October 2010 (size 17kb)
Download EIA asbestos disposal November 2010 (size 30kb)
Ecological status of the south east coast Ramsar site
A report commissioned by the Department of the Environment and the Waterfront Enterprise Board in 2010 has been published. The report is a review of the current status of the south east coast Ramsar site.
Review of the current ecological status of the SE coast Jersey Ramsar site
gov.je