28
S.M. Wells . R. Rochert
terfere with the terrain or disturb the natural environment are prohibited (IUCN 1994).
In Australia, the threat of oil drilling and sand and limestone mining to the Great Barrier Reef was the trigger for the establishment of the Marine Park. The Royal Commission that reported on the controversy in 1973 concluded that even with the strictest
guidelines, there would inevitably be oil leaks that would impact on the reef. In 1975 the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was gazetted. It is designated as category V under the
IUCN system and mining and drilling are prohibited throughout, even in the General
Use Zones where a range of other activities are permitted (IUCN 1994). In the UK, consideration is being given to the designation of'Sacrosanct Areas' which would be closed
to all forms of oil, gas and mineral exploration and exploitation on account of their
ecological sensitivity and importance.
4.4
International Obligations
Several international and regional agreements now exist which require that contracting parties protect and effectively manage key sites of the world's natural ecosystems.
For example, the Wadden Sea is included in the List o/Wetlands o/International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar). Under this treaty, contracting parties are required, among other obligations, to promote
the conservation of wetlands in their territory through the designation of protected
areas (nature reserves). Particular conservation duties pertain to listed sites. Contracting parties are obliged to inform the bureau of any past, present or future ecological
changes to listed wetlands, and a monitoring procedure ensures that this is followed
and the necessary mitigation actions taken.
The Convention allows for the 'wise use' of wetlands, provided that this does not
adversely affect the ecological character of the wetland. Detailed guidelines on wise use
have been drawn up which enshrine the precautionary principle. Planning decisions
have been influenced in many countries by the listing of sites under Ramsar - with the
rerouteing of roads, or the curtailment of development activities. In the case of the
Wadden Sea, there have been serious concerns as to whether the Europipe could be
considered wise use, and the issue was taken up through the Ramsar mechanism, as
reflected in recommendations at the fifth conference of the parties in Japan, 1993, and
in other fora. Ramsar sites where ecological changes have occurred, are occurring or
are likely to occur may be listed on the Montreux Record, if the relevant government
gives its consent. The aim of this is to focus attention on the need for remedial action
- the site is removed from the record when the problems have been overcome. As yet,
the Wadden Sea has not been entered on the Montreux Record.
The European Union Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Species
requires states to designate, by the year 2004, sites of international conservation importance as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), under the Natura 2000 programme.
The EU Birds Directive similarly calls for the establishment of Special Protected Areas
(SPAs). The Wadden Sea is identified as both an SAC and an SPA under these Directives.
Consideration has also been given to nominating the Wadden Sea as a World Heritage Site under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Under this Convention, natural and cultural sites of 'outstanding universal value' are designated, provided their
S.M. Wells . R. Rochert
terfere with the terrain or disturb the natural environment are prohibited (IUCN 1994).
In Australia, the threat of oil drilling and sand and limestone mining to the Great Barrier Reef was the trigger for the establishment of the Marine Park. The Royal Commission that reported on the controversy in 1973 concluded that even with the strictest
guidelines, there would inevitably be oil leaks that would impact on the reef. In 1975 the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was gazetted. It is designated as category V under the
IUCN system and mining and drilling are prohibited throughout, even in the General
Use Zones where a range of other activities are permitted (IUCN 1994). In the UK, consideration is being given to the designation of'Sacrosanct Areas' which would be closed
to all forms of oil, gas and mineral exploration and exploitation on account of their
ecological sensitivity and importance.
4.4
International Obligations
Several international and regional agreements now exist which require that contracting parties protect and effectively manage key sites of the world's natural ecosystems.
For example, the Wadden Sea is included in the List o/Wetlands o/International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar). Under this treaty, contracting parties are required, among other obligations, to promote
the conservation of wetlands in their territory through the designation of protected
areas (nature reserves). Particular conservation duties pertain to listed sites. Contracting parties are obliged to inform the bureau of any past, present or future ecological
changes to listed wetlands, and a monitoring procedure ensures that this is followed
and the necessary mitigation actions taken.
The Convention allows for the 'wise use' of wetlands, provided that this does not
adversely affect the ecological character of the wetland. Detailed guidelines on wise use
have been drawn up which enshrine the precautionary principle. Planning decisions
have been influenced in many countries by the listing of sites under Ramsar - with the
rerouteing of roads, or the curtailment of development activities. In the case of the
Wadden Sea, there have been serious concerns as to whether the Europipe could be
considered wise use, and the issue was taken up through the Ramsar mechanism, as
reflected in recommendations at the fifth conference of the parties in Japan, 1993, and
in other fora. Ramsar sites where ecological changes have occurred, are occurring or
are likely to occur may be listed on the Montreux Record, if the relevant government
gives its consent. The aim of this is to focus attention on the need for remedial action
- the site is removed from the record when the problems have been overcome. As yet,
the Wadden Sea has not been entered on the Montreux Record.
The European Union Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Species
requires states to designate, by the year 2004, sites of international conservation importance as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), under the Natura 2000 programme.
The EU Birds Directive similarly calls for the establishment of Special Protected Areas
(SPAs). The Wadden Sea is identified as both an SAC and an SPA under these Directives.
Consideration has also been given to nominating the Wadden Sea as a World Heritage Site under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Under this Convention, natural and cultural sites of 'outstanding universal value' are designated, provided their