5 June 2011: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) has announced that the Government of Algeria designated three new Wetlands of International Importance on the occasion of World Environment Day (WED). The new designations bring Algeria’s total number of sites to 50.

The first site, Oum Lâagareb Ramsar Site, is one of the largest remaining floodplain peatlands in the region, and supports plant communities that are particularly rare in Algeria, as well as a range of animal species. The site is threatened by excessive water-pumping by the local community for irrigation.

The second site, Lac du barrage de Boughezoul, is the largest artificial lake on the Hauts Plateaux and provides a key stop-over area for birds migrating across the Sahara.

The third site, Ile de Rachgoun Ramsar Site, is a Mediterranean volcanic island 4 kilometers off Algeria’s coast. It supports the Critically Endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal. The seas surrounding the island are used by endangered whale species, while Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles, respectively Endangered and Critically Endangered, also use the island.

The designation of these areas as Wetlands of International Importance is supported by WWF International. [Ramsar Press Release]