Posted on November, 26 2002

It has been 13 days since the Prestige oil tanker began leaking oil off the north-west coast of Spain. The oil spill has occurred close to areas designated as Wetlands of International importance (Ramsar sites) in Spain, under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The oil spill is fast approaching these areas, most of which have already been badly affected. So far, the Ramsar sites identified are: • Complejo de Corrubedo • Rías de Ortigueira y Ladrido • Ferrolterra-Valdoviño • Ria de Arosa (O Grove Lanzara) These areas are rich in flora and fauna, and have actually been proposed for Natura 2000, a European ecological network of special areas of conservation. These habitats (lagoons, sand banks, sand beaches, dunes, marshes) are important sites particularly for breeding, staging and wintering waterbirds. They are also important areas for human activities, including tourism, agriculture, and rush harvesting. This oil spill will affect, and in some areas has already affected, coastal wetlands, amphibians, mammals (otters, dolphins, porpoises), and has impaired, or will soon take its toll on, human activities such as tourism and agriculture. We can never completely eliminate the threat posed by oil disasters such as the Prestige. However, we can help minimize their impact on the coastal and marine environments. Governments, NGOs, and scientists must strive to better integrate legislation and management actions from hilltops to the high seas through integrated coastal zone management approaches. Like Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs), internationally protected wetlands are an essential tool to protect particularly important wetland areas. Stronger global networks of protected wetlands and marine areas will help us ensure that the shipping industry stays away from our most vulnerable coastal habitats. WWF is urging contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention to make firm commitments to designate internationally-protected wetlands and to encourage stronger integration with their coastal and marine management. "Protecting wetlands under the Ramsar Convention is not merely an act of goodwill - it is critical for securing the supply of water for nature, people and food production," said Jamie Pittock, Director of WWF’s Living Waters Programme. For further information: Lisa Hadeed Communications Manager, Living Waters Programme Tel.: +41 79 372 1346 E-mail: LHadeed@wwfint.org Mitzi Borromeo Press Officer, WWF International Tel.: +41 79 477 3553 E-mail: MBorromeo@wwfint.org