The States of Alderney want to hear what the public has to say over the future of the islands coast, and their Ramsar site.
Last year the General Services Committee agreed to new action plan for Alderney’s west coast, and the Burhou Islands Ramsar site.
Alongside this they also agreed to draw up a five-year plan which has been written up based on feedback from Alderney Ramsar stakeholders.
The GSC is seeking the community’s views on the draft which can be found on the States of Alderney website HERE.
The States says the survey aims to gain feedback on how people engage with the Ramsar site and how it can be “maximised”.
The man who drafted the strategy, Alderney Ramsar Secretariat, Alex Purdie, said: “The West Coast and Burhou Island Ramsar Site is a marine wetland of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention.
“The five-year strategy will set out the strategic goals and delivery mechanisms for the next five years of research, education, outreach and conservation work.”
If you wish to take part in the consultation you can complete the survey HERE, alternatively, paper copies can be collected from the General Office at the Island Hall.
The cut off for the consultation is on 3 November 2025, at the end of the business day, prior to that an in-person public consultation will also be held in the Anne French Room at the Island Hall on 28 October, between 15:00 and 18:00.
What is Ramsar?
The “Ramsar” international agreement reflects the importance of wetlands across the world, with the convention signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
The international treaty provides the framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources – a Ramsar site is therefore considered to be of international importance.
There are more than 2,300 Ramsar sites worldwide with eight in the Channel Islands.
There are four Ramsar sites in Jersey, two in Guernsey, and one each in Alderney and Sark.
The CI RAMSAR sites are:
- Alderney – West Coast and Burhou Islands
- Guernsey – Herm, Jethou and The Humps
- Guernsey – Lihou Island and I’Erée Headland
- Jersey – Les Pierres de Lecq
- Jersey – Les Écréhous and Les Dirouilles
- Jersey – Les Minquiers
- Jersey – South East Coast
- Sark – Gouliot Caves and Headland
Designation as a Ramsar site aims to ensure the sites are protected and preserved.