JAMAICA on Friday joined the world in observing World Wetlands Day 2007 under the theme: ‘Wetlands and Fisheries’.

Ainsley Henry, manager of the Integrated Watershed and Coastal Zone Management Department at the National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA) noted that the theme and its accompanying slogan ‘Fish for Tomorrow’ depicts a “clear correlation between wetland health and fishery resource health”.

“Essentially, it’s about fishing for today, fishing for tomorrow, and whether or not there will indeed be fishes for tomorrow if we continue the way we’re going now,” he added.

World Wetlands Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention, in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.

The main objective of the day, which has been observed internationally since 1997, is to educate people about the importance and benefits of wetlands.

While most Jamaicans know about swamps and marshes, not many know that these are also classified as wetlands.

Under the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, sand or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, where the depth does not exceed six meters at low tide”.

“Essentially, what this means is that wetlands are areas where water is the main factor controlling the environment, both plants and animals,” noted Henry.

Jamaica’s wetlands

Jamaica has several wetlands. They include:Importance of the wetlands

. the Bowden and the Great Morass in St Thomas; . the Negril Morass in Westmoreland; and

. the Canoe Valley Wetland in Clarendon.

There are also three designated “wetlands of international importance”. They are:

. the Black River Morass;

. the Palisadoes/Port Royal area, and

. the Portland Bight Wetlands and Cay.

. Rich in biological diversity.More on wetlands next week

. Provide protection from flooding.

. Help to replenish groundwater.

. Act as a natural barrier against storms.

. Provide stabilisation of the shoreline and are

active in water purification.

. Provide a livelihood for thousands of Jamaicans,

including those who cut mangroves to burn coal.

Wetlands also offer spawning grounds for young fish and many other marine nurseries and are therefore a significant part of the multi-million dollar fishing industry, which directly employs thousands of people and provides a livelihood for many others.

– JIS

Have a healthy environment?

COMMUNITIES interested in entering the Better Environments for Social Transformation (BEST) community competition are being reminded that the deadline for submitting applications is Friday, February 16.

Consultant co-ordinator for Special Programmes and Projects in the Cabinet Office, Jacqueline daCosta, told a recent JIS News Think Tank, that the application process was now open and community representatives could collect application forms at the regional offices of the Social Development Commission (SDC), as well as parish council offices islandwide.

She noted that the primary objective of the competition was to encourage individuals, businesses and professionals to become more involved in the sustainable development of their communities while protecting the environment.

“The programme is geared towards the 785 communities identified by the SDC so we really want to get as many people involved in transforming their communities, both the citizens as well as persons from those communities, who have various capacities or abilities to help the others in various technical and professional ways, as well as financially or in kind,” she said.

Outlining the application process, Arthur Newland, special programmes officer at the SDC, said community members must first contact their Community Development Committee (CDC), which is mandated to represent the community. The CDC then fills out the application form and submits it to the nearest SDC, parish council or Parish Development Committee office.

“Subsequent to that, the community must submit a work plan, this would outline what are the plans for the community that the CDC is being guided by, as well as a profile of the community. It is on the basis of this documentation that the judging would proceed,” he explained.

daCosta added that the communities would be judged at both the parish and the national levels. The national winner will receive $2 million and trophies.

In addition, there will be special category prizes at the parish and national levels, for the most beautiful community, the best-kept educational institution, best-improved agricultural practices, best community spirit and self-reliance, and best cultural heritage programme. Prizes must be used for further community development programmes.

Meanwhile, communities are being reminded that all projects and programmes must give priority to seven main areas. These areas are:

. the built environment and the natural environment;

. socio-economic activities, such as job creation opportunities;

. hazard mitigation and disaster preparedness;

. education, health and waste management; and

. heritage and culture.

Digicel Jamaica Foundation has pledged to provide $10 million to the competition, annually.

-JIS

We end our series on seabirds at Yallahs Pond in St Thomas this week with a look at the Killdeer and the Brown Pelican.

The Killdeer

(charadrius vociferus)

GROWING up to eight inches in length, the Killdeer is a medium-sized bird with long wings and a short dark bill.

It has a white forehead, with white stripe behind the eyes, which are red ringed. It has a brown cap, which is also the colour of its back and wings.

Its breast and belly, on the other hand, is white, while its legs are flesh-coloured. Its rump, meanwhile, is rust-red.

The Killdeer is a short distance migrant that usually produces up to two young, which hatch after up to 28 days. It is another 25 days before the young are able to fly.

Known as Chorlo tildío in spanish and as pluvier kildir in French, the Killdeer survives primarily on a steady diet of insects.

The Brown Pelican

(pelecanus occidentalis)

THE Brown pelican grows up to 41 inches in length and has a mature wingspan of some 90 inches.

It is a large dark bird that has a long bill with a pouch. Flying with its neck tucked, it is known to plunge from enormous heights into water in order to snag fish.

Known as the pelícano pardo in spanish, the Brown pelican’s young is dark overall and acquires plumage (feathers) with slightly darker flight feathers over a period of three years.Source: www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov

Adult Brown pelicans have a yellowish crown with a white head and neck. It has a gray-brown body with the darker flight feathers that the young acquire over three years.