11 June 2012: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) has announced that the Government of Grenada has ratified the Ramsar Convention. The Convention will come into force for Grenada on 22 September 2012, making Grenada the 162nd Contracting Party to Ramsar.

Grenada’s first obligatory Ramsar Site is named Levera Wetland, a varied area of valuable tropical marine ecosystems on the northeast of the island. It includes seagrass beds, coral reefs, and a freshwater pond in the caldera of an ancient volcano, surrounded by mangroves. The site provides supports wildlife and turtle nesting. Activities carried out on the site include fishing, hunting, harvesting of mangrove wood for charcoal production and of plants for livestock fodder, and recreational activities.

Grenada’s designation contributes to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]