Ramsar Snapshot Released - finally

On World Wetlands Day (2 February 2009) the Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Hon Peter Garrett MP released the Ramsar Snapshot Study Report. This study represents the first inventory and assessment of Australia’s 65 declared Ramsar wetlands.

The objective of the Ramsar Snapshot study was to provide the Australian Government with:

• An assessment of the level of information on the current status of Australia’s Ramsar estate, including aspects such as the currency of each site’s Ramsar Information Sheet, site maps and whether they have management plans in place;
• An assessment of quality and quantity of information regarding Ramsar wetland management currently held by the Australian Government;
• An analysis of the financial investment in Australia’s Ramsar estate to date;
• An initial assessment of major threats and management issues facing the sites, including information on documentation gaps, and other on-ground issues, and analysis of anticipated key pressures in the future and their strategic management; and
• Recommendations to inform the development of a long-term rolling review of Australia’s Ramsar estate.

To view the recommendations on Australia's Ramsar listed wetlands read the Ramsar Snapshot Study Final Report.