Setting the Wetlands Agenda

The European eel, which is found in virtually every coastal and inland water around Europe, is a species in serious decline, with the numbers of eels reaching Europe declining by 90 percent since the 1970s. Reasons for this may be over-exploitation, inland habitat loss, livestock encroachment, climate change, disease and pollution. The plight of the European eel highlights just one of many challenges for the wetland community.

The realities of responding to such a major species decline will be given as a case study at CIWEM’s World Wetlands Day 2009 conference, where the major challenges facing wetlands will be addressed.

These include the emergence of wildlife diseases and the effects of climate change, as well as the need to plan for the water industry planning cycle, review the River Basin Management Plan process and see how best the Vision for Wetlands in England’s ideas and recommendations can be best implemented.

Speakers will include representatives from the RSPB, Natural England, the Environment Agency, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Wetland Link International.

CIWEM’s World Wetlands Day Conference 2009 is on February 10th in London.