News
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Newsletters from individual Overseas Territories and Crown
Dependencies can be found on the webpages of each of the OTs and
CDs. Other organisations who provide cross-territory environmental
news can be found on the
links page.
March 2013
- South Georgia leads where Britain may follow with mass
reindeer cull - British-owned island takes drastic action
to stop animals destroying native habitat (Indpendent
24th March 2013). Britain’s problem of its woodlands being
destroyed by deer, revealed in a recent scientific study, has been
echoed and dealt with on the far side of the world.
- There will be a face-to-face meeting of the OT and CD Steering
Group on March 12th and 13th, hosted at the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew. There will be a supplemental OTs-led meeting on the 14th March
reviewing implementation of the
UK OT Biodiversity Strategy. JNCC has funded the attendance of
the majority of delegates, from various Territories and
Dependencies, and has retained Rebecca Kinnersly, of the States of
Guernsey, to act as rapporteur for the event. Her report will be
made available through the JNCC website.
- Reports have been made available for two recent projects: an
investigation of ancient woodland on the Isle of Man and
the second phase of the rescue and collection of endemic and
endangered plant species for biodiversity conservation on Turks
& Caicos.
- Daily
Journal of the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to CITES, in Bangkok, Thailand, between the 3rd and 14th
March 2013.
February 2013
- New Spatial and Temporal Closed Areas added to SGSSI MPA -
Following scientific advice and a stakeholder consultation the
Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is
delighted to
announce the addition of extra spatial and temporal protection
to the existing South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine
Protected Area (SGSSI MPA).
December 2012
- The lastest
IUCN European Newsletter (December 2012) is available. Among
the articles under the banner 'FOCUS: EUROPE'S OVERSEAS' are an
interview with Carole Martinez, the new Coordinator of the IUCN EU
Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories
Programme; 'Beyond mainland: UK Overseas
Territories' - on applying the UK Biodiversity Framework to
the UK's OTs; and how the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura
lewisi) has taken a formal step back from extinction with the
announcement of the latest update to The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species.
November 2012
- The UK Oversees Territories and Crown Dependencies: 2011 Biodiversity
Snapshot provides a timely update to the 1999 publication.
Each chapter in this new publication is authored by an individual
or group from each of the Overseas Territories or Crown
Dependencies, giving a snapshot of its biodiversity and
conservation.
- In light of new funding rounds by Government for the Overseas
Territories, JNCC has extended the deadline for the Blue Turtle Award until
Monday 21st January 2013, to enable additional time for the
preparation of submissions.
September 2012
- Blue Turtle Award 2012 - Call for
nominations for JNCC's annual award for nature conservation
work in the UK's Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
Closing date 31st October 2012.
- An article on South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
featured in the latest issue of Samara:
The International Newsletter of the Partners of the Millennium Seed
Bank Partnership. 'Understanding climate change impacts in the
sub-Antarctic' is written by Stuart Cable, MSBP Herbarium Team
Manager.
- Issue 40 of the newsletter
of the Chagos Conservation Trust is
available; including reports on the February 2012 scientific
expedition to the Marine Protected Area, the Chagossian Community
Environment Project and reef damage around Diego Garcia caused by
military vessels.
August 2012
- A summary report on the 'Environmental Mainstreaming in the
Falkland Islands' workshop is now
available.
- Mr Anderson Kirnon has received resources and access to
expertise to enable him to construct a model farm at Gerald’s,
which would increase the productivity of his current livestock unit
and promote semi-intensive livestock farming practices. The
Montserrat Departments of Environment and
Agriculture are collaborating with Mr Kirnon to establish the model
farm, which was made possible through a grant from the UK Overseas
Territories Environment Programme.
July 2012
- Vacancy on Montserrat - The Ministry of Agriculture on
Montserrat have an opening for Special Advisor on Environmental
Management to support the on-going development and investment
activity on island. This is an international recruitment for a
posting of 2 years. Deadline for applications is Friday August
17th, 2012. Details on the vacancy, including terms of reference
and how to apply, can be found on the jobs.gov.ms
website.
- Endangered sharks will be given greater protection following
the
signing of an international agreement on the conservation of
sharks. The agreement was signed by Richard Benyon on behalf of the
UK and a number of Overseas Territories. Adopted under the
Convention of Migratory Species it will help develop management
measures to protect threatened species such as basking, longfin
mako and whale sharks. Many of these sharks are not only found in
UK waters, but in the waters of UK Overseas Territories making
their involvement crucial in ensuring these animals receive the
protection they need.
- The
Overseas Territories: Security, Success and Sustainability - On
28th June 2012 the UK Government published a White Paper setting
out its overall approach to the Overseas Territories. Its vision is
for the Territories to be vibrant and flourishing communities,
proudly retaining aspects of their British identity and generating
wider opportunities for their people.
- St Helena invites OT and CD SG members to collaborate on a
Darwin bid regarding delivery of frameworks and management plans
for 23 proposed National Conservation Areas. The entire process
will involve community participation. If you
are interested in a collaborative project, please contact
.
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute on Little Cayman is seeking
to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher, to advance understanding of
how changing climate scenarios may impact the tropical ocean's
carbon cycle and ultimately biodiversity. The Postdoctoral Fellow
will have the primary responsibility for designing and implementing
field and laboratory experiments. Application forms must be
submitted to
, Director
of Research and Conservation and follow the
link for an application form.
- JNCC Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), BOEM Protected
Species Observer (PSO) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM)
Training Courses
Intelligent Ocean has set the next
JNCC MMO, BOEM PSO (Gulf of Mexico) and PAM training courses in
Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Please refer to their website for details of time,
location and course content. You will also find details of local
accommodation nearby. To book a course please use the online
booking system.
June 2012
- Mountain Chicken Project: In 2012, the Darwin Initiative funded
the Mountain Chicken Project on Montserrat, which aims to develop a
long-term strategy to manage this critically endangered species.
The project team have produced a poster and related press
release.
- The Durrell Wildlife Conservation
Trust have announced two courses based at the International
Training
Centre, at Durrell’s headquarters in Jersey, Channel Islands.
Managing Infectious Disease in Conservation Programmes runs between
10th - 14th September 2012; Project Management Skills for
Conservation Managers between 1st - 5th October 2012.
- Samia Sarkis (Department of Conservation Services, Bermuda) and Liz Charter
(Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Isle of Man) attended
CBD SBSTTA 16 in Montreal, between April 30th and May 5th 2012.
They attended as a response to the invitation extended by Defra to
join the UK delegation. You can find their reports of the
proceedings on their relevant territory page.
April 2012
- The St
Helena Environmental Management Directorate was officially
launched on April 16th, in the presence of His Excellency, Governor
Capes, and UK Environment Minister Richard Benyon. The Directorate,
headed by Tara Pelembe, is tasked with co-ordinating environmental
policy on St Helena.
- University of Reading have announced their new UKOTs and CDs Training and
Research Programme Facebook Page! Facebook has become a very
popular and modern way of exchanging scientific information and
promoting opportunities to targeted audiences. The creation of the
Page will hopefully serve the same purpose of the recently created
forum, but appeal to more people and be more user-friendly.
February 2012
- The report from the latest OT and CD Steering Group
meeting, a review of the Training and Research Programme work
plan, is now available.
- The 2011 Blue Turtle Award went to the Midweek
Muckers, who work in support of the Manx Wildlife Trust’s nature
reserves, as well as managing three other reserves, which form part
of the Ballaugh Curragh, an ASSI and Ramsar site.
- Taylor & Francis are offering free online access to over
140 climate change articles. Inspired by the recent United Nations
Climate Change Conference which took place in Durban at the end of
2011, our journal Editors have handpicked a selection of related
articles for you to enjoy for freeFollow this step-by-step guide to
activate your access:
1. Sign in or register at http://www.tandfonline.com/ (new
users will need to complete a short registration process and
validate their account) 2. Go to http://bit.ly/xg3ZIT 3. Enjoy your free
access. Contact
, in
Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, if you have any
queries.
- The CARIBSAVE Partnership is pleased to offer scholarships
and bursaries in various areas related to Climate Change at the
University of the West Indies and the University of Waterloo,
Canada for Caribbean Nationals under the Partnership for
Canada-Caribbean Community Climate Change Adaptation (ParCA)
Project. This critical component of the project provides an
opportunity to build capacity in the Caribbean region to increase
resilience to climate change.
- The IUCN report of the conference on “Islands and Overseas
Entities’ contribution to biodiversity conservation and the fight
against climate change” (held at the European Parliament, 20th
December 2011) is now available.
January 2012
- Defra have extended an invitation to representatives from the
UK OTs and CDs to join the UK delegation to the Convention of
Biological Diversity meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific,
Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA). This will be held in
Montreal 30th April – 4th May 2012.
If you are interested in attending please contact Eric Blencowe (
). If you require
support with the costs of travel please contact the JNCC as we may
be able to provide some financial assistance (see OT
and CD funded participation for more details of the type of
support available).
- Kew have launched their
UKOTs Online Herbarium. Over 17,000 specimens and 10,000 taxa
have been collated; with comprehensive specimen records, including
historical as well as contemporary collections.
- Following recommendations made by the UK Government’s National
Security Council in 2011, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra) has produced
a paper on the advice and support available to the UK Overseas
Territories (UKOTs) in areas of its competency.
Defra’s Paper outlines the array of environmental issues in the
UKOTs and the advice and support which is available to the
Territories from Defra, its Agencies and Civil Society on these
issues.
October 2011
August 2011
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Masters scholarship
discussed at quarterly OT and CD Training and Research Programme Steering
Group Meeting held on 26th January 2011.
- 8 people from 6 Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies
funded to attend training courses.
- JNCC are contributing to a Phd on Lionfish in the Caribbean
UKOTs. For more information contact the
(please put
OT in the subject line).
- JNCC made contributions towards Nassau grouper
research and endemic plant research in the Turks and Caicos
Islands and investigation of ancient woodland on the Isle of
Man.
- There were 7 short-listed nominees for the 2010 Blue Turtle
award which was won by the St.
Helena Millennium forest.
July 2011
- The sixth meeting of ACAP’s Advisory Committee will be held
from Monday 29th August to Friday 2nd September 2011, in Guayaquil,
Ecuador.
- ACAP (The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and
Petrels) is a multilateral agreement which seeks to conserve
albatrosses and petrels by coordinating international activity to
mitigate known threats to albatross and petrel populations. The
Agreement is currently ratified by 13 countries, including the UK,
whose ratification includes the South Atlantic Overseas Territories
of Tristan da Cunha, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South
Sandwich Islands, and the British Antarctic Territory.
- More information
about the meeting can be obtained by following the link.
December 2010
- Quarterly
OT and CD Training and Research Programme Steering Group
Meeting held on 20 October 2010.
Caribbean hub now up and running, everyone is encouraged to
join.
The
South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands
ACAP plan is now available.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the University
of Reading. If you have projects that you would like Masters
students to undertake in your OT/CD contact k.norris@reading.ac.uk.
Funding has been provided for Ascension and South Georgia to attend
training courses.
JNCC joined a team of experts from the UK who visited Anguilla
between 16-25th September 2010, to undertake a critical
review of CITES (Convention in International Trade in Endangered
Species) implementation. The visit was funded by the Overseas
Territories Environment Programme (OTEP)
October 2010
- This year’s Blue Turtle award has been
launched deadline for nominations 25 October 2010
- Financial support available for nature conservation training
can be made via the OT and CD members of the
research and training group on a first come first served
basis.
- Action plans for Tristan
and the
Falklands on the Agreement on the Convention of Albatrosses and
Petrels (ACAP) available.
- One hundred and twenty seven colleagues in seven OTs: St.
Helena, Anguilla, Montserrat, Bermuda, Falklands, South Georgia,
Turks and Caicos have now been on a course on writing
funding applications for environmental projects.
- In this International Year of Biodiversity, a suite of JNCC
coordinated projects are helping tackle invasives in 12 UKOTs. This work has been
funded by Defra and some projects are delivered through regional
hubs.
- UKOT students currently studying environmental courses in the
UK were invited to an introductory OT biodiversity workshop
hosted by JNCC.
- The OT and CD Research and Training Steering Group
met in July. Latest
information...
- Stephen Mendes, Rhon Connor, Matt Cottam and Olivia Renshaw
have received JNCC funding to participate in
international events.
8th
September 2010
Henderson Island News
The September issue features an article on how invasive
rats are
threatening the island's World Heritage status, as they kill an
estimated 25,000 Henderson petrel (Pterodroma atrata)
chicks per year.
7th
September 2010
The Islander
The latest issue of the Ascension Island
Newspaper features an article by Dr Mark Lambert of Fera (Food
and Environment Research Agency), on his recent trip to the island
and the invasive rat problem.
25th June
2010
Ascension Anogramma
Please see below for details of when the Ascension Anogramma
(Anogramma ascensionis - a species of extinct fern) story will be
released by the BBC, on their World Service 'Science in Action'
radio programme.
The first scheduled broadcast will be at 10:32 (BST) on Friday
25 June.
It should also be repeated at the following times:
- Friday 25 June at 15:32; then 20:32
- Saturday 26 June at 01:32
- Sunday 27 June at 04:32
A summary of Friday's show is not online yet - but keep checking
the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsnb
You will also be able to listen to the piece online from Friday -
it should be archived on the Science in Action web page for quite a
while after broadcast.
18th June
2010
Pod of Killer Whales sighted off of North Caicos
A pod of Killer whales were sighted off of North Caicos 24th May
by a group of fishermen. When they spotted several whales breaching
and frolicking in the water completely unfazed by being watched.
Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of
the world's most powerful predators. Killer whales as a species
have a diverse diet, although populations often specialize in
particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while
other populations hunt marine mammals such as sea lions, seals,
walruses and even large whales. Killer whales are regarded as apex
predators as they have no natural predators.
8th June
2010
Second Lion Fish Caught
The Conservation and Fisheries Department of BVI
announced the capture of a second lionfish in BVI waters
north of Tortola on Wednesday, 2 June, by a local fisherman, Mr.
Alvin “Kumba” Martin of Jost Van Dyke.
South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project
GSGSSI have announced that, following stakeholder
consultation, conditional approval has been given to the South
Georgia Heritage Trust for the first phase of the Habitat
Restoration project to proceed in February-April 2011.
19th May
2010
Ascension Scientist recognised by IUCN
Olivia
Renshaw informs us that the Ascension Conservation and Sea
Fisheries Officer, Stedson Stroud was recently contacted by a
professional associate of the IUCN Species Programme, based in
Switzerland. As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity,
they were interested in featuring a range of stories on their
website throughout the year, relating to conservation and
biodiversity. Stedson was asked to provide information about
conservation efforts on Ascension Island, focusing on the
importance of what is being done. The information Stedson provided
has recently become available on the IUCN
website.
7th May 2010
Cross Territory Skill Share
Earlier this year, St. Helena and Ascension shared skills
between both islands. Len Coleman, the GIS specialist from St
Helena visited Ascension for three weeks. Len trained staff
on the use of GIS and AEIOU (Ascension Environmental Information
Operations Utility). Various AIG departments, Cable and Wireless,
the School and the Police have benefited from Len’s visit. Funding
for his trip came from the OTEP endemic plant project (ASC 503).
Find out
more...
28th April 2010
OT and CD Training and Research Programme Steering Group
The Steering Group for the OT and CD training and research programme held its
4th meeting. Key discussion items included a report from the
Food and Environment Research
Agency on work they are doing in the OTs on invasive species; a
review of the Steering Group work programme 2010-2012; and an update
from each of the territories on new areas of research. Find out more...
Two OT research projects awarded support
In April, JNCC awarded two research projects support
under the research contribition funds. One is a
cross territory project with the Falkland Islands and South Georgia
on algal biodiversity, the second is a terrestrial project in Turks
and Caicos on endemic and endangered plant species. The next
call for research contribution funds will be in September 2010.
29th March 2010
Tackling Alien Invaders
Addressing the negative impact of invasive alien species in the
UKOTs is a key issue. Recently, Defra has given JNCC £250,000 to
focus on tackling this threat. This is a contribution to
International Year of Biodiversity, and the Overseas Territories
themselves have identified their key prioritie for this funding. A
vast range of activities will be supported from survey work to
public awareness campaigns, from eradication and control projects
to prevention plans. Find out more...
12th March 2010
Dr Vin Fleming visits St. Helena Island
In November, Dr Vin Fleming went on an advisory visit to
St.
Helena. The visit was a response to requests for advice
from St. Helena, and focused on providing training in preparing
bids for funding to support nature conservation and related
activities, especially to funds such as OTEP and the Darwin
initiative; raising awareness of the use of economic valuation of
ecosystem services as a means of better informing the St Helena
government on decisions affecting the environment (and the services
it provides to the people of St Helena); providing training in the
implementation of CITES to SHG staff and to advise on how St Helena
could better implement the Convention.
UK Overseas Territories Training and Research Programme.
The UK Overseas Territories Training and Research programme held its
most recent Steering group meeting in January 2010. Key
areas of discussion included progress on the implementation of the
programme of work. The next Steering Group meeting will be held on
the 28th April 2010.
Rhon Connor - Attends New Zealand Conference.
Rhon Connor, the Deputy Director of the Department of
Environment in Anguilla, recently attended a Conference on Island
Invasives: Eradication and Management in New Zealand. He
presented a paper entitled: Of Rats and Birds: Creating a seabirds
paradise on Dog Island Anguilla. Rhon's participation was supported
by JNCC.