Press Releases

At a well attended Annual General Meeting held at the Alameda Botanic Garden's Cottage on the 25th January 2012, the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS) elected a new Council. Elections to GONHS’ Council are held every two years under the Society's Constitution and the following members were re-elected to Council: Paul Acolina, Harry Vangils, Jean Paul Latin, Jill Yeoman and Albert Yome.

Charles Perez was elected to Council, relinquishing his post as head of the Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory (SGBO), which is now headed by Dr Keith Bensusan. He in turn has passed his responsibilities as head of the Invertebrates Section to Dr Alex Menez, who although a long established member is a newcomer to the Council.

Other Section heads remain unchanged, and these are Leslie Linares (Botanical Section), Richard Durrell (Caves and Cliffs Section), Eric Shaw (Marine Section) and Vincent Robba (Raptor Unit). Section heads also form part of the Society's Council, but are ex-officio members and are nominated by the each section's members.

At a Council meeting held on 31st January 2012, Charles Perez was unanimously endorsed as the Society’s new General Secretary.

This week, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Gibraltar Mr Anthony Lombard met two scientists visiting Gibraltar from Poland.

Prof. Piotr Tryjanowski (Poznan University of Life Sciences) and Dr. Piotr Zduniak (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan) are in Gibraltar working in collaboration with ornithologists from the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society.

Prof. Tryjanowski and Dr. Zduniak are experts on bird migration science, including the effect of climate change on bird migration. They are in Gibraltar to start preparing scientific analyses on migrating birds, using the extensive database of records gathered by the bird ringing operation coordinated by GONHS, which now spans a period of twenty years and includes some 70,000 records of birds that have been ringed or recaptured on the Rock.

Gibraltar's status as an important site for migratory birds makes the Rock an ideal place at which to conduct such studies. Mr Lombard greeted the two visitors with his customary hospitality and good humour and conversed with them on issues ranging from their profession to Polish history and links with Gibraltar.

It is hoped that the collaboration between Polish and Gibraltarian scientists will result in publications in top scientific journals.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) rejects the Chief Minister's vitriolic attack on its decision to boycott the opening of Europa Point, when he accused the former General Secretary Dr. Cortes of pulling a ‘political stunt’. The decision, at which Dr. Cortes was not present, was taken unanimously by the GONHS council, which declined the invitation. It was decided that in view of the reluctance of the developers of the site to take sound advice on landscaping using salt-resistant plants, and the destruction of an area where protected plant species grew, it could not endorse the official opening.

Furthermore, as the decision was ours, and not one individual’s, the accusation of placing ‘plants before people’ must be aimed at us and is blatantly incorrect. The GONHS prides itself in seeking an environment where the wellbeing and quality of life of the people of Gibraltar is not undermined by prospective developments that do not respect the natural environment.

GONHS remains apolitical, and prides itself in working as an independent NGO, despite accusations from the Chief Minister.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) has received an invitation for its General Secretary to attend the inauguration of the newly refurbished Europa Point.

GONHS has decided that for any of the Society's representatives to attend the function would indicate consent for the way the project has been handled, which has included habitat destruction, contravention laws relating to the removal of Gibraltar's special plant species and ignoring GONHS' advice on landscaping with native flora that is well suited to harsh, seaside environments.

GONHS had advised that, unless the most salt-resistant species were used, any planting at Europa Point would not survive the easterly storms of the autumn and winter. In fact, although we are experiencing a prolonged summer, much of the vegetation used in landscaping the area is already dead or dying. This is in part because planting took place during the height of summer, the worst period during which to plant in the Mediterranean due to the extremely dry and warm conditions. The situation will only become worse with the onset of the autumn.

GONHS remains committed to its original advice to Government, which was to use native, salt-tolerant species in the landscaping of the site, including many that were already in place. Through the use of interpretation such as information panels, visitors would have been able to appreciate the site's special ecology, recognise plant species in the area and understand seasonal changes in vegetation. Ironically, an information panel on flora provided by GONHS has been erected, in spite of the fact that much of the native vegetation has now been lost.

GONHS feels that the great expense that has no doubt gone into landscaping the area with plants that were destined to perish quickly could have been invested in enhancing the natural environment at Europa Point, or in other badly needed conservation projects.

The works were carried out without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or an application for a licence to remove or impact upon species listed under Schedule 3 of the Nature Protection Act, in this case the Gibraltar Sea Lavender Limonium emarginatum.

The efforts of two Gibraltarians, Sean Ramos and Stefan Trinidad, to rescue a sea turtle, a young loggerhead Caretta caretta, caught in Spanish fishing nets have served as a vivid demonstration of the dangers of these illegal nets, as pointed out many times in the past by both GONHS and the GFSA.

The plight of the turtle shows how dangerous these nets are to non-target species, numbers of which are being affected by incidental deaths. The efforts of Sean and Stefan are to be praised, but other turtles and

GONHS would like to publicly thank Sean and Stefan for their exemplary and successful work in rescuing this marine turtle.

Dr John Cortes, General Secretary of the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society has been re-elected to the Council of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF), at a meeting held this morning at the Linnean Society in Piccadilly, London.

Dr Cortes was first elected to the Council in 2009 and now begins his second three-year term on the governing Council of this international conservation organisation. Also elected were the current Forum Chairman, Dr Chris Tydeman, Alison Debney of the Zoological Society of London and Rob Thomas of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

The UKOTCF is a body that brings together major UK nature protection and ecological organisations with those in the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. The organisation, which is also extending links to the dependencies of other European countries, notably France, aims to co-ordinate ideas and experiences in promoting conservation in these very different but in many ways similar small territories.

GONHS (the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society) has published an election wish list in the run-up to the next General Elections in the latest issue of its news magazine 'Gibraltar Nature News'. The wish list identifies areas of policy, both broad and specific, which it feels that all parties aspiring to form the next Government should commit to in the interests of wildlife conservation and the natural environment.

A copy of the latest issue of Gibraltar Nature News has been posted to each of the political parties looking to contest the next election. GONHS invites each party to respond to the wish list. It encourages them to make public specific proposals regarding their aims as to how to conserve and improve Gibraltar's natural environment and, importantly in GONHS' view, how they plan to integrate environmental concerns as a central theme in all-round Government policy.

Gibraltar will hold its General Elections within the next few months. Political parties will be vying with each other for the electorate's votes and their manifestos will promise a great deal. Past manifestos have lacked environmental depth, so we have decided to make our own contribution.

What do we want from the next Government, as a Society that has been working solidly in the fields of natural history and the environment for longer than any political party has been in power?

Here are some of what would be our aims if we were writing our own manifesto for the forthcoming elections.

The needs of the environment, and of our health and well being must run as a central theme through all Government policies, and within all Government departments. These policies should be regularly measured against environmental parameters.

The Gibraltar Biodiversity Project to catalogue all living species in Gibraltar should receive official support and resourcing. The Gibraltar Biodiversity Action Plan must be adopted as Government policy and action taken to implement its recommendations as effectively as possible. This should include the formal and effective protection of areas of natural importance not currently protected and urgent action to protect species such as the Striped False Limpet, the Barbary Partridge and the Lesser Kestrel, and to control invasive and other alien species of plants and animals. The Nature Protection Act should be updated to take account of recent changes in knowledge and in the status of species.

The bunkering industry must be made to be more efficient and safer and comply unconditionally with the most stringent safety protocols. Bunkering must be contained within clearly demarcated areas on the west side of Gibraltar.

Local sources of air and marine pollution need to be honestly investigated and identified and practical solutions found.

Development must be consistent with the need to protect the environment and to allow areas of natural beauty and greenery within urban areas as well as outside. The environment must be the priority when designing and developing projects. Government projects, as well as private ones, must be assessed by the Development & Planning Commission, whose meetings should be public.

New generating capacity needs to be provided with minimum delay, but this needs to be coupled with serious development of energy from the sea and a plan to realistically dismantle fuel-burning generators as technology develops. Real incentives to reduce energy consumption, both personal and commercial, and increase energy efficiency should be central to Government policy.

The Upper Rock Management Plan should be adopted as Government policy and used as the basis for designating the Rock of Gibraltar Site of Community Importance (SCI) as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The proposed 'holistic plan' revised to give greater importance to wildlife and other heritage protection, enhancement and promotion, ensuring conservation at the same time as improving the visitor product.

The Government's Environmental Action and Management Plan should be re-written following meaningful consultation with the stake-holders.

The proposed Marine Leisure Act should be withdrawn and re-written following full consultation with all stakeholders. Similarly the Marine SAC Management Plan should be significantly revised to be consistent with the needs of the marine environment, while ensuring that the interests of all users of the sea who abide within local and international law are protected. A vigorous plan to ensure regeneration of marine life around our shores by habitat protection and creation needs to be developed.

Proper management and protection of our natural marine assets are a vital prerequisite for a favourable resolution of the European waters dispute with Spain.

We would expect the next Government to publicly reject any possibility of a dolphinarium opening in Gibraltar.

Realistic resources need to be given locally for increased year-round control of yellow-legged gulls.

Adequate resources need to be put in place to control visitor activity within the Upper Rock while providing training and facilities to existing operators to take on what is a vital role in presenting this asset to tourists with greater knowledge and support. Improved facilities for the macaques and their management, as well as promotion of information and wardening are also required.

Improved communication with environmental management authorities on both sides of the Strait is required in order to develop nature and environmental conservation and co-operation on a regional scale, with Gibraltar playing its part and not being left behind, as is currently the case. This should culminate in Gibraltar forming part of the Biosphere Reserve, which was declared between Andalucia and Morocco from which Gibraltar was excluded.

Gibraltar’s voice needs to be more forceful in promoting environmental wellbeing and nature conservation in the region.

Increased importance should be given to promoting ecological research and education, within NGOs and institutions, in schools and within the community as a whole.

Ecological and other environmental expertise available in Gibraltar, within NGOs such as GONHS, and other institutions, should be tapped by Government and form part of policy making, with widespread representation in consultative and decision-making bodies.

Millions of migrating birds will leave Europe in these weeks flying to their wintering places in Africa. BirdLife International invites people in Europe to take the opportunity on 1/2 October 2011 to discover the fascinating world of bird migration.

In 37 countries in Europe and Central Asia the national partners of BirdLife International invite people to observe the birds and hear interesting facts about bird migration. In most countries the interested people will find observation and information posts where everyone can share the knowledge on the exciting life of the different bird species.

For the migrating bird species the existence of suitable breeding areas in the north, saving stopovers on the flyway and appropriate habitats in the wintering regions are vitally important. The aim of EuroBirdwatch11 is to raise awareness for the beauty of bird migration and the needs of the birds taking part in it.

The European Birdwatch is an annual event comprising hundreds of nationally organised activities. On these observation posts the number of birds and participating people are counted and reported via the national centres to the European centre. In the last years around 60’000 people took part in 34 countries and close to three million birds were observed on this single weekend.

In 2011 the event is coordinated by SVS/BirdLife Switzerland, which is acting as the European Centre to process these data.

Locally, GONHS will once again be hosting EuroBirdwatch, as Gibraltar BirdLife Partner organisation.

Our events will be centred around the Alameda Botanic Gardens and Europa Point as follows:

BIRD RINGING 8am to around 11am (the sun comes up higher after then) trained bird ringers will be catching birds in mist nets around the gardens and bringing them to a temporary ringing station on top of the Nature Shop at the Grand Parade entrance, where the birds will be identified, measured, weighed and released.

BIRD WALKS 9am onwards. GONHS members will be leading walks around the Gardens, looking out for local and perhaps migratory birds. There will be a telescope on the bridge over The Dell form where birds can be seen coming in to bathe and drink at a fountain.

RAPTOR DISPLAY (Birds of Prey) - Our Raptor Rescue team will be bringing a variety of birds down to the walk between the top of the Grand Parade entrance steps and The Cottage, which should include a variety of eagles, hawks and falcons. The team will be setting up the birds at around 1030am.

Please note that in order to avoid unnecessary stress to the birds these will usually be removed after 1200-1230pm, so please don't come late and miss these wonderful birds.

3pm-6pm from the Europa Point Marine Observatory. Accessible on foot, by car (Europa Point car-park) or free on the No.2 Route bus from Market Place to Europa Point.

All are most welcome (please note that dogs are not permitted within the Alameda Botanic Gardens)

Recent activity in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, including the publicity given to incidents related to the presence of long nets off the east side, have once again brought to the fore the question of fishing in Gibraltar waters and incursions into these waters in general.

On this occasion, apart from the charges in relation to the physical threats, GONHS feels that the authorities should at the very least have confiscated the nets and charged the fishermen for contravention of the Nature Protection Act.

The Nature Protection Ordinance (now Act) of 1991 was an important piece of legislation in several ways. It brought Gibraltar’s laws up to date on nature protection, but also set out very clearly that they applied to the whole of Gibraltar’s territorial waters. From 1991 to 1997 the laws were upheld by the Gibraltar authorities, including the Police, and problems to do with fishing and incursions were negligible.

In 1998, a number of incidents led to Spanish fishermen questioning Gibraltar’s right to legislate in its waters. There was considerable unrest which led to talks between the Spanish fishing associations (‘Cofradias’) and the Gibraltar Government, and which resulted in the so-called ‘fishing agreement’. This fishing agreement effectively allowed the Spanish fishermen to break Gibraltar’s laws and was undoubtedly the first significant step on Gibraltar’s part that led to the problems we have today.

Had the Government stood its ground, as it legitimately could have done, and insisted on Gibraltar’s laws being upheld, there may have been more short-term disagreement, but matters would be very different now.

If the fishing agreement was entered into in order to obtain the goodwill of the Spanish Government, events have proved what a naïve position this was. As clear examples of the failure of this strategy, if such it was, and of the lack of goodwill shown by Spain in these matters, we do not only have the problems of recent incursions, but also the now well known declaration by Spain of a European protected area within our waters. It is clear now that the groundwork to the declaration of their ‘Estrecho Oriental’ Site of Community Interest was being done covertly by the Spanish authorities during the very time that the UK and Gibraltar Governments were involved in the discussions that arrived at the Cordoba Agreement. The Spanish Government’s submissions to the European Commission, which were not spotted by Gibraltar or UK officials, were made without consultation, even though the declaration of the Gibraltar area some years earlier had been put to Spain, which had delayed the implementation.

The most recent incident of threatening our fishermen is most serious, but, as the GFSA has also been saying also for many years, it is not the first time, and was waiting to happen yet again. The lines of drift nets off the east side every summer season, illegal under Gibraltar as well as international law, have long been a concern and have resulted in the death of many marine animals, including the dolphin in the recently released photograph. They have gone virtually unchallenged by Gibraltar authorities, and indeed by Spanish authorities, who should ironically themselves not allow them if their claim to have a protected area in our waters were to have any real foundation in conservation science and not just in politics.

The situation is a veritable mess. There must be a change in the way that it is being handled. What is needed is the courage to enforce the laws of Gibraltar and of Europe in a just way that can stand up any legal challenge in an international court should that be necessary.

• In February 1999, before the Government entered into its fishing agreement with the Spanish Cofradias, GONHS prepared a considered analysis of the situation, making a strong case for upholding of the law. This was ignored by the Government. GONHS has decided to publish in full the text of its 1999 report, which is available here.

Drift nets http://www.fao.org/fishery/geartype/220/en consist of a string of gillnets. These are therefore outlawed under Section 10(1)(b) of the Nature Protection Act 1991

Over a year ago, GONHS (The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society) was engaged to make a number of proposals for the future landscaping of the Europa Point area, in view of Government plans to refurbish the site.

Europa Point held a number of important plant species, including protected species, and GONHS welcomed the approach. A full report was prepared and action was taken by the contractors, as part of the project, to transplant sections of the vegetation to the area beside Nun’s Well, to be looked after for future replanting. GONHS felt, and publicly expressed the view, that this was an exemplary way in which to deal with development in an environmentally sensitive area.

The brief, which was completely achievable, was to complement some of the new areas around the carpark with resistant species, mainly native species, and to encourage the use of local species in the remaining area.

The result would have been of conservation value, and green throughout the year if watering was provided.

Things started to go wrong when a large area of plants by Nun’s Well, meant for landscaping, stopped being watered, most of the dying. Similar neglect of another 1000 plants bought in for the purpose resulted in most of them dying also.

At the same time, an area to the east of the road, which was largely covered with the endemic and strictly protected Gibraltar Sea Lavender was covered with rubble, leading to complaints from GONHS.

Despite great patience on the Society’s part, the situation worsened. An attempt to plant some of the near-dead species failed, and led to a huge investment of probably tens of thousands of pounds to ‘green’ the area with plants, at the height of summer, most of which will be dead following the winter’s strong levanter storms.

In view of the unfortunate loss of the plants originally intended for the area, and as the summer is on its way out, GONHS considers that planting should have waited until the cooler, wetter autumn, when suitable plants would have become available for planting.

The result is that an area that held important and attractive wild species has been lost. In addition, despite the problem of rubble in the area to the east of the road having been pointed out, there has been new dumping of rubble directly on the protected Gibraltar Sea Lavender, one of the species that was to be encouraged in the original plan, and other plants have been dug up and left to die in the same area. This stopped only recently following a threat from GONHS to take out an injunction to stop the works.

Deliberately or otherwise, GONHS feels that it has been misled and that the important environmental issues have not been at the forefront of the Government’s thinking. The whole process goes against the spirit and letter of both the Government’s own Environment Charter and its Environmental Action and Management Plan.

In view of the fact that the actions taken are in clear violation of the Nature Protection Act, GONHS is now considering legal recourse.

A grove of mature trees, a very rare feature in Gibraltar’s city centre, was recently felled, despite attempts from conservationists to save them.

On 21 June, GONHS issued a press statement alerting the public to the fact that several areas of mature trees in the Town centre were at risk of felling.

GONHS argued that these should be incorporated into the proposed carparks at the old Theatre Royal site and at Engineer Lane and that in the former case they could form the nucleus of a wooded recreational area, unique in the centre of our City.

Despite this , and without any statement or announcement, the trees were felled over several days.

Although the plans for the area include planters, trees will not be able to grow to similar size with restricted root space, and even if they could, it would take over 50 years to grow that tall.

GONHS feels it is unreasonable for Government projects to proceed without seriously attempting to save trees, especially of such age and size. Mature trees are rare in Gibraltar and need to be protected, and Government should lead by example. Private individuals are often stopped from removing trees from their projects, and would be justified in considering the situation unfair. The way the matter has been handled undermines recent progress in tree protection in Gibraltar.

It also conflicts with the Government’s own new Environmental Action and Management Plan and with statements made on World Environment day by the Ministers for the Environment and for Education who spoke out in support of trees at the various events organised on the day.

These trees are now gone, and Government should be condemned for dealing with the matter in the way it has done. The trees in Engineer Lane Car Park could now face a similar fate.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society reports mixed results in its annual census of nesting birds of prey on the Rock. Four species are now surveyed annually by the GONHS Bird of Prey unit, led by Vincent Robba. These are the Peregrine Falcon, the Common Kestrel, the Lesser Kestrel and the Little Owl, with observations on Tawny Owls and Eagle Owls also being taken into account.

The Peregrines managed to raise more young (14) than last year (7), although numbers are still down on recent maxima of 20 (2009) and 23 (2006). Disturbance is probably a contributing factor. Worryingly, these 14 young were raised by only six pairs. One pair has disappeared altogether. This pair occupied an eyrie in the area of Mediterranean Steps and was absent for the first time since the annual surveys began in 1974.

Lesser Kestrels raised 31 young to fledging, but only 13 nests produced young, the smallest number since 2004. Several nests have been taken over by feral pigeons. Another concern is that a number of young were found dead at the base of their nesting cliffs on the North Face, apparently predated by cats. The plight of these globally threatened birds needs to be addressed. GONHS has long identified these problems and prepared a Species Actrion Plan within its Gibraltar Biodiversity Action Plan published in 2006, but no measures have yet been implemented by Government.

Common Kestrels raised a minimum of 30 young, from a minimum of 9 occu,pied nests, two fewer than last year. Eight Little Owl nest sites were identified, the same number as in 2010. Eagle Owl nests were not located, but there was some evidence of the presence of the species in its usual locations. However, the presence of Tawny Owls has greatly reduced, with no contacts in the latter part of the nesting season in the South District or the Botanic Gardens. A concern is that the liberal use of rat poison may have caused casualties in this species through secondary poisoning.

Birds of prey continue to nest on the Rock with no assistance. We are lucky that they have survived, but the annual censuses detect problems in some cases which need to be tackled if they are to continue to live here.

The Society's Caves and Cliffs Section is carrying out vegetation removal work on the Tower of Homage as part of the Government project to restore the historic Moorish Castle. Section members, who are trained and experienced in rope work, have been contracted through John Licudi Consulting to carry out this specialised work.

The site was first surveyed by the Botanical Section of GONHS to ensure that no rare or endangered plants would be affected. Experts from the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens are also involved in removing scrub vegetation from elsewhere on the site.

The work will include removal of vegetation and treatment of any remaining roots.

GONHS describes this as the ideal way of carrying out such maintenance work, with the true experts in the field involved in every stage of the project. Other projects could benefit environmentally from similar collaboration.

In this International Year of Forests, just a few weeks after World Environment Day when so many young people so energetically expressed support for forests and trees at the Tercentenary Hall and when both the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Education publicly expressed the Government's love of trees, trees have been wantonly cut down by private individuals, and others are threatened by Government projects.

Three areas have suffered from the chainsaw in recent weeks. A large area of scrub near Admiral's place has been removed, allegedly to solve a problem with 'mosquitoes '. This is nonsense, as mosquitoes are not attracted by scrub, but by static water.

Other areas have been cleared opposite the former Royal Naval Hospital at Europa Road, and along Naval Hospital Hill, and trees have also been removed recently in the area of Humphries Bungalows on the way to the Upper Rock above Engineer Road. As far as we are aware, none of these instances have gone through the proper procedure, which the Government has established, and appear to have been carried out by individuals who have not bothered to seek permission.

Some years ago, following a proposal from GONHS, Government set up a system of tree assessment which has been working well for a number of years.

This is why GONHS is particularly concerned at alleged plans to fell numbers of mature trees in the city centre in order to make way for car parking. While a constant increase in car parks is well recognised to not solve long term problems of traffic, GONHS is not objecting to the car parks, but is asking that the plans be altered to allow the trees to remain. Not only are these pleasing to the eye, but they would also afford welcome shade to the car parks. In the case of the Theatre Royal car park, the mature trees would provide the ideal opportunity for a recreational and play area in the shade of trees, almost unknown in the city centre.

Other areas where trees appear to be at risk from Government projects are Gardiner's Road and Engineer Lane. In all cases many of the trees could be kept if plans were slightly altered.

GONHS appeals to private landowners to always use the correct procedures and seek authority for such actions, and to Government to lead by example, by keeping to its written policy and keeping the chainsaws away.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) wishes to clarify the procedure regarding calls in relation to gulls.

During the time that additional culling support is being provided by the UK Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), calls to remove injured gulls in areas where FERA is culling (mainly the east side and Europa Point areas) should be made to the hotline number provided by Government in a recent press release as 54013789.

GONHS continues its year-round culling effort and which includes handling calls related to gull nests on buildings and urban areas in general. These should continue to be made to 20072639.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) has recently circulated two new issues of its regular publications, The Gibraltar Bird Report and Gibraltar Nature News.

The Gibraltar Bird Report, which covers observations of birds in Gibraltar in 2009, is edited by Dr Ernest Garcia. It gives a detailed account of birds seen in Gibraltar during that year, and is illustrated by photographs of a selection of the birds covered. Among the highlights reported was the largest ever influx of Kittiwakes (a type of gull more frequent in the north) during late January 2009, and the unusual sight of a flock of white storks on the ground in Gibraltar, at Windmill Hill, in March.

The publication also includes the Gibraltar Ringing Report, prepared by Charles Perez, as well as a number of short articles which report observations of interest in Spain and Morocco.

Gibraltar Nature News is the Society’s news magazine. This issue highlights the precarious situation in which the Barbary Partridge finds itself – threatened with disappearing from Gibraltar. There is a wide variety of other topics covered, with major articles on Royal Anglian Way and a guide to a number of the most interesting beetles found in Gibraltar. On the conservation front, one of the articles relates the problem of habitat loss in Gibraltar. The series on the natural history of the UK Overseas Territories continues, with an article on the Pitcairns Islands and another on the British Indian Ocean Territory. There are colour photographs illustrating most of the articles.

Both publications are circulated to members, and are available from GONHS, while Gibraltar Nature News can also be picked up in outlets around Gibraltar.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) notes the proposals by the GFSA and their reported endorsement by political parties in relation to the creation of the posts of Environmental Enforcement Officers being considered.

GONHS has been advocating the appointment of Wildlife Wardens since the Nature Protection Act 1991 ('the Act') came into force, but these calls have repeatedly been ignored.

21.(1) The Government may, after consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council appoint by notice any person to be a Wildlife Warden or an honorary Wildlife Warden for the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Government may make regulations for the purpose of determining the powers and duties of any person appointed under sub- section (1)."

Section 5 of the Marine Nature Reserve Regulations 1995 ('the Regulations') also provides that a Wildlife Warden "shall carry out such duties in the marine nature reserve as the Authority shall specify and shall have the power, in the marine nature reserve, to require to stop any vessel or person who it appears to the Warden has failed to comply with these regulations." The section also specifies further powers available to Wardens under the Regulations and Section 16 of the Act.

This shows that, in fact, Gibraltar already has the necessary legal provisions to appoint Wildlife Wardens and, although the Act could of course be further strengthened to counter the present threats faced by the marine environment, all that is required for the appointment of Wardens is action and not the passing of any new Acts.

GONHS calls for the urgent enforcement of the provisions of the Act and the Regulations and for other NGOs, clubs and organisations to rally together to protect the marine and wider environment.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) notes with some concern the recent report in the Chronicle that, according to the Minister for Enterprise, Development, Technology and Transport, The Hon Joe Holliday,'Gib designation of waters does not affect bunkering', following the recent designation of a large part of Gibraltar waters as an SAC under the Habitats Directive.

Although it is true that 'the new designation [does] not preclude commercial activity taking place within the protected zone', these activities must meet the requirements of the Habitats Directive and any proposals must be subjected to an Appropriate Assessment that evaluates the potential impacts that the proposed activity will have on the wildlife and ecological features of the site. In this sense, recent shipping accidents and oil spillages must be borne in mind. Only after these requirements have been met can a decision be taken as to whether or not an activity - commercial or otherwise - can be allowed to occur within the protected area. In fact, the site had been an SCI ('Site of Community Interest' and a candidate for SAC status) since 2006 and, as such, has been subject to the same regulations as an SAC for five years. This means that an Appropriate Assessment was already required, even prior to its recent designation.

The Appropriate Assessment and the Environmental Impact Assessment that is already under way, have to be carried out by experts in the field, employing a rigorous methodology and objectivity. Only after this has been carried out will we be able to determine whether such activities do or do not run contrary to the aims and regulations of the Habitats Directive.

The Chronicle article appears to suggest that the Ministry does not consider or is not aware that such procedures are legally necessary, which is surprising given that it is the Town Planning department of that Ministry that leads on EIA matters and would in any case be working closely with the Environment Ministry in relation to the Appropriate Assessment. If the Minister has been misquoted in the report, the position should be clarified.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) has welcomed the recent designation of the Southern Waters of Gibraltar Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive and the recognition of Special Protected Area (SPA) for both the Southern Waters and Rock of Gibraltar sites under the Birds Directive.

Work on this was started by GONHS started back in the 1980s, before there was even a a Ministry for the Environment in Gibraltar. The Society’s drafting of the then Nature Protection Ordinance (now Act) (1991) already included most of the principles of the Birds Directive, and of the Habitats Directive which, although not yet published, GONHS was party to as adviser to UK organisations involved in its drafting. Work by GONHS over the two decades that followed included a document entitled ‘Gibraltar and the EC Habitats Directive’, prepared in 1992, and a more extensive report, entitled ‘The Habitats Directive and Gibraltar’ submitted to the Gibraltar and UK Governments and the European Commission, in 1994, setting out in full the applicability of the Habitats Directive to Gibraltar. This was followed by a lull in Government activity on the matter, which led to GONHS once again initiating movement in 1999. This led to a number of meetings being held, which set out to resolve matters affecting designation of MOD land. These issues resolved, GONHS continued to press for progress, stressing the fact that Gibraltar would be embarrassed if site designation was not carried out. In 2004, GONHS was asked by Government to prepare the technical documents necessary for designation, for submission to Brussels. Following productive meetings with Government officials the submissions were prepared, the names of the two sites proposed by GONHS – ‘The Southern Waters of Gibraltar’ and ‘The Rock of Gibraltar’ accepted, and the papers submitted.

GONHS therefore is extremely pleased that its work over nearly three decades has resulted in the designations recently announced by Government.

The implications are many, both in the international standing of Gibraltar and in the protection of nature. The existence now of a marine SAC, the highest tier of protection at a European level, and recognition of Gibraltar’s importance for birds, by way of the SPA declarations, are huge steps forward.

There is still progress to be made. GONHS for example, which was consulted and commented on the content of the new Site Management Plan, still has reservations as to some of the content and likelihood of enforcement. There is a need too to progress the Rock of Gibraltar designation, a process in which it looks forward to further involvement, given that one of the key documents contributing tho the holistic plan is the Upper Rock Management Plan it prepared for Government in 2005.

The Society is therefore committed to further contributing to both the operation of the SAC and future developments in both the marine and terrestrial sites.

Although in its Press Release and Press Conference Government regrettably and incredibly did not credit the work of GONHS and its members in this process, the Society is satisfied that finally, the fruits of its labours have been achieved. It has been a long journey, and there is still a good way to go, but the Society is pleased that its commitment and determination have been able once again to shape the history of nature and environmental protection in Gibraltar.

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society is in the process of preparing a comprehensive analysis of the Government’s Environmental Action and Management Plan (EAMP). This will be made public shortly.

GONHS would like to point out that Guiding Principle Number 4 of the Environment Charter, adopted by the Government in 2006, which is quoted in full at the beginnig of this Plan, states as an aim:

And especially the most crucially one, Commitment 2 of the Charter, which states:

2. Involve different government departments, representatives of local industry and commerce, environment and heritage organisations, environmental campaigners and other community representatives to share their views on environmental issues in Gibraltar and take their opinions into consideration when formulating a detailed strategy for action.

Following these apparent guarantees, enshrined in the Environment Charter, it was to have been expected that the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society would have been involved in a process of consultation. This is especially the case given that, as well as being the main organisation with regard to wildlife, GONHS includes amoingst its membership the widest expertise in Gibraltar’s biodiversity and wildlife conservation of any of the ‘relevant parties’.

However, during the four years that the plan, presumably one of the ‘detailed strategies for action’ mentioned in the Charter, has been in the process of elaboration, this major principle of consultation has not been fulfilled, and the Society has not been involved or consulted in its preparation. It is not aware whether other relevant stakeholders have been.

The Society welcomes the publication of the plan, and most of its content, but regrets that this major principle of the Environment Charter has not been kept to. GONHS feels that the Plan would have benefitted from its advice, as will be evident when its views on the content of the EAMP are published shortly.

The Gibraltar ornithological & Natural history Society (GONHS) is asking Government to reconsider its intentions to use the East Side for bunkering operations in the light of the recent collision in the area.

Such operations would be incompatible with of the Southern Waters of Gibraltar Management Scheme published this week. They therefore require an Environmental Impact Assessment by the operators and an Appropriate Assessment by the Ministry for the Environment.

These bunkering operations would involve the transit of bunker-barges through the designated protected site, and may even involve the transfer of fuels within the site itself.

The minor collision, recently, involving two bunker-barges on the East Side, highlights the fact that even with the investment of the VTS-System by the Port Department, accidents will continue to occur.

The Southern Waters of Gibraltar Management Scheme highlights that ‘Minor incidents (tier 1 and ‘trace’) occur about 12 times per year. Tier 2 spills have occurred in the past averaging at 1 a year but have been due to collision or grounding of vessels.’ This is totally unacceptable and the risk will only increase, given the expansion of bunkering operation and the risky transit of bunker-barges rounding Europa Point.

An accidental spillage, however minor will affect the wellbeing of the natural environment, and seriously affect the use of the few beach areas left on the east side, (let alone twelve incidents a year!).

A new species of weevil has been described as Torneuma bensusani, with Gibraltar as its type locality. The weevil was described by Dr Peter Stüben of the Curculio Institute, the world authority on cryptorhynchine weevils of the Western Palaearctic, and named after Dr Keith Bensusan, head of the GONHS Invertebrate Section. It was published in 'Weevil News', a journal of the Curculio Institute. The article can be downloaded from: www.curci.de/news/news.php?btr=main.

Keith found the first specimen of the species in Gibraltar with his colleague Charlie Perez. He then found several more in Ceuta (North Africa) whilst searching for subterranean ants with Rhian Guillem, before Peter Stüben visited Gibraltar and found an additional specimen.

Peter Stüben had visited Gibraltar in August 2010 to sample some of the Rock's habitats for weevils. This he did with Keith, Charlie and their friend and colleague Pepe Torres from La Linea, who are members of the Curculio Institute. Part of the reason for Peter's visit had been to try and locate more specimens of the new species of weevil. Charlie, Keith and Pepe (who also had a species of Torneuma, T. torresi, named after him by Stüben recently) had a delightful day with their friend Peter who, as well as being a first-rate coleopterist and biologist, is also an extremely amiable and enthusiastic person with a deep love of fieldwork.

The finding of Torneuma bensusani from Gibraltar and Ceuta, at such a degree of geographical separation, is remarkable because the species is flightless, blind and subterranean! In Gibraltar, the species has been found to coexist with the apparently more numerous Torneuma baeticum, a species only known previously from a single specimen collected from Sierra Bermeja, near Estepona.

In 2011 the Curculio Institute will begin a Europe-wide 'Molecular Weevil Identification project' in an effort to build a molecular and image database for all species of weevils in Europe (some 2500 species). The project will include contributions of specimens from Gibraltar by Keith and Charlie of the GONHS Invertebrate Section. Anyone interested in the Curculio Institute and its work can find more details at: www.curci.de

This is thought to be the first time that a living species has been discovered and named after a Gibraltarian.