John Robbins Esq
16 June 1988
BANC/WWF(UK) continued
2.
3.
4.
5.
on wildlife The Report identifies the need for better base line data and
and we
the habitats in the
Territories Dependent
support recommendations for the preparation of lists of threatened plants and animal species together with surveys of threatened habitats.
Bome
In particular we support the need for urgent conservation measures for
the of
Caribbean (Cyclura species) the endemic
Dependent iguanas Territories. FCO are aware of
our concern about translocation of of these animals between islands in the BVI. As you will know from
are these species colleagues in Wildlife Division,
on Appendix I of
CITES.
The Report highlights the fact that there are no legally protected areas on Anguilla, Ascension, Gibraltar and Pitcairn and that those designated
on
Turks and
Caicos
the
Islands have
Report
be to yet that assistance be
The
the se
the
gazetted.
in recommendations
to given territories (and to others where further nature reserves are necessary) to enable them
(see individual data to designate appropriate areas which
Of sheets), is
would support.
course this process has already started with the joint DoE/ODA/WWF funding of the wetlands survey for the Turks and Caicos Islands which will form the basis of NCC advice to the UK Government on the possible designation of Ramsar sites this territory.
one
we
in
On page 39 the Report draws attention to the possibility of designating It is clear that HMG Biosphere Reserves in the Dependent Territories. formerly considered such designation would be eligible for ODO support and indeed one can readily appreciate that certain Dependent Territories would provide inter ting opportunities for interrelating the Biosphere Reserves and the Sa 1 Islands components of the Man and the Biosphere Programme. However, our withdrawal from UNESCO has complicated the issue although, on FCO advice, we are still involved in MAB activities and may
our input to the Biosphere Reserve component
indeed increase
of the Programme.
6.
1.
My
staff have
discussed
with
in colleagues
our Chief Scientist's
Directorate the proposal on page 44 that a checklist of species and covered by habitats occurring in the Dependent Territories which are International Conventions should be prepared, maintained and distributed by NCC. You will be aware that we already provide a considerable amount of information in this area to your Division. Although the relative priority of the task would have to be evaluated, it would be possible for us to provide a consolidated checklist on amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals but we have little information on plants, fish and invertebrates.
be It would
such attempt extremely difficult
checklist for habitats.
to
a
On page 50 the Report suggests that DoE request NCC to actively promote Insofar and monitor wetland conservation in the Dependent Terrorities. as this relates to the UK's responsibilities under the Ramsar convention we are doing as much as we can in this field given the limited information that is available. This
the part of
does Report
acknowledge the initiative taken by NCC International Branch in promoting an approach from the FCO to governors seeking nominations from Dependent Territories for potential Ramsar sites.
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