World Wetlands Day

Wetlands and Tourism

Each year on February 2nd the world celebrates Wetlands Day. This date commemorates the day of the adaptation of the Convention on Wetlands, which is an intergovernmental Treaty signed on 2 February, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the shores of the Caspian Sea.  This international Agreement signed by 160 countries was established as a multinational convention , in order to protect important wetlands serving as habitats for birds. 

In 1997 the day was for the first time celebrated by government and non-government organizations, groups and citizens all taking advantage of the opportunity ‘to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular’      

This year the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Conservation and Fisheries Department join in observing the day under the theme:  Wetlands and Tourism.  This theme describes the value of our wetland, and their benefits which can build stronger economies, sustainable livelihoods, healthy people and thriving ecosystems. 

Focusing on Tourism, one of the many services that wetlands provides, creates an avenue through which we can educate visitors on the value of our wetlands.  Throughout the world approximately 35% of Ramsar Sites record some form of tourism.   

The Acting. Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Mr. Kelvin Penn stated ‘that the World Wetland Day is very important for the sustainability of our local wetlands, and it is prudent that the citizens of the British Virgin Islands take an active role in their preservation.’.

Since May 10th, 1999 there is one designated Ramsar site in the British Virgin Islands/ It is located at the western end of the island of Anegada.   These western salt ponds are very good examples of salt pond wetlands within the Greater Antilles.  They support a number of endangered fauna and flora species including the endemic Anegada Rock Iguana and the re-introduced colony of Caribbean Flamingos.   

These birds nestle within the mangrove for feeding and good nourishment and the mangrove help to prevent flooding during storms, and banks from scouring and erosion by waves. 

The salt pond comprises of a range of brackish saline lagoons and ponds amongst shrub dominated vegetation, tidal mudflats and mangrove.  Each year tourists visit the site primarily for bird watching and locals use it for subsistence fishing, gathering of shellfish, bait collection, grazing, cutting of vegetation and mining..