10 April 2013: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Government of Australia has designated Piccaninnie Ponds Karst Wetlands on the South Australia coast as its 65th Wetland of International Importance.

According to the Ramsar Secretariat, the site is a unique combination of karst and coastal fen wetlands, which supports considerable biodiversity, including globally threatened species. Activities carried out on the site include recreation, tourism, snorkeling, camping and research.

Australia’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]