MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OTs address conservation of history and nature

The conservation of not only nature but also areas of historic interest were the basis for a UK Overseas Territories (OTs) conference held in the Channel island of Jersey last month.

Environmental Planning Officer, Dominique Giudicelli, attended the event on behalf of the Falkland Islands.

She said the delegates shared their experiences in looking after their biodiversity. "Many of Britain's endemic species are found in the OTs so the UK recognizes it is important to look after its biodiversity."

She said that while the Falklands face different issues from some of the other OTs - "obviously in the Falklands we are fortunate we don't have the development pressures as places such as Gibraltar or the Caribbean" - we have taken good steps forward. "The Falklands are doing really well, particularly given the size of the population, she said."

The bio-security strategy which the Falklands have drawn up is one example. Ms Giudicelli said it is aimed at preventing alien species from being established in the Islands.

"This is good for agriculture - think thistles, aquaculture and fisheries and the environment. Rats on remote Islands are the perfect example." More focus is also needed on the conservation of historic areas, Ms Giudicelli believes.

"In line with St Helena, we have joined forces to get the British Government to recognize our historic areas are unique, small and vulnerable, like an endemic species. There is no UK funding and help at present to preserve historic areas."

This tie in with a "whole ecosystem approach," she said. "It's recognising humans have a part to play in the environment and how the two can work together. "We've got to look after wildlife as well as our built heritage. The environment and humans can work together."

Ms Giudicelli is also working on a bid with South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha to secure European funding for work on albatross and petrels. "The money would be used to deal with invasive species like rats and mice and such as the supermouse on Tristan which eats albatross chicks alive on the nest."

She said working with OTs has been "fascinating" and explained "we're so diverse yet we have the same issues to face."

While in Jersey, Ms Giudicelli was keen to pass on the Falklands' thanks to Jersey for the provision of housing after the 1982 conflict. Penguin News