State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II

characteristics and with which it is generally UNITED KINGDOM compared. ii. The virtually undisturbed condition of Gough Gough and Inaccessible Islands makes it particularly valuable for biological research. Gough is strictly managed as a Brief description Wildlife Reserve, with research and weather monitoring the only activities permitted on the The 14-km2 Inaccessible Island was added to the island. Gough Island Wildlife Reserve, in the South Atlantic, first inscribed in 1995. The site, now called iii. Gough supports two endemic landbirds, a Gough and Inaccessible Islands, is one of the least- flightless rail, the Gough Moorhen Gallinula disrupted island and marine ecosystems in the cool comeri, and the Gough Bunting Rowettia temperate zone. The spectacular cliffs of each goughensis in the monotypic genus Rowettia. island, towering above the ocean, are free of Gough is included in the Tristan da Cunha introduced mammals and homes to one of the Priority One Endemic Bird Area as defined by world's largest colonies of sea birds. Gough Island ICBP. Eight invertebrate species are known to is home to two endemic species of land birds, the be endemic to the island. Gough also supports gallinule and the Gough rowettie, as well as to 12 over 30 plant species which are endemic to the endemic species of plants, while Inaccessible Tristan da Cunha island group. Several vascular Island boasts of two birds, eight plants and at least plant species are unique to Gough, together with ten invertebrates endemic to the island. eight species of bryophytes. iv. Gough is one of the most important seabird 1. Introduction colonies of the world. The Tristan da Cunha group as a whole provides the only breeding Year(s) of Inscription 1995, 2004 place for the seabirds of a much wider range of climatic zones in the South Atlantic than is found Agency responsible for site management with comparable islands in other oceans. The • Mailing Address(es) range of species includes the Southern Giant Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the Petrel Macronectes giganteus, which breeds all United Kingdom, London around the Antarctic continent to the pantropical SW1A 2AH London Brown Noddy Anous stolidus. Following the United Kingdom extensive habitat modification on Tristan e-mail: [email protected] daCunha island, Gough is now the largest Website: not provided undisturbed island in the group and holds the largest proportion of most seabird species. Twenty seabird species breed on the island. The 2. Statement of Significance Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta is endemic to Inscription Criteria N (iii) (iv) the Tristan da Cunha and Gough Islands and virtually the entire population breeds at Gough. Justification as provided by the State Party Gough is the main breeding station for a subspecies of Yellow-nosed Albatross (1994): Gough is of outstanding universal value Diomedea chlororhynchos chlororhynchos, and because: subspecies of Wandering Albatross Diomedea i. Uninhabited oceanic islands are one of the few exulans dabbenena. About half the world’s total habitats in the world that remain relatively population of the Sooty Albatross Phoebetria undisturbed and are therefore of special fusca breeds at the Tristan da Cunha and conservation significance. Gough is the largest Gough Islands, with around one quarter on scarcely modified cool-temperate island Gough. Almost half the global population of the ecosystem in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is the Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes least disturbed major temperate oceanic island chrysocome moseleyi breeds on the island. of its size in the world, and provides an Gough also supports a large proportion of the interesting southern temperate Indo-Atlantic world populations of the White-faced Storm contrast to southern subtropical Pacific Petrel Pelagodroma marina, White-bellied Storm Henderson Island. Gough compares favourably Petrel Fregeta grallaria and races of Great or with more southerly islands of the Southern Subantarctic Skua Catharacta antarctica and Ocean with which it shares certain faunistic Antarctic Tern Sterna vittata. State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II v. Gough is an island of outstanding natural (2004): Decision 28 COM 14B.17 beauty. The island represents the eroded core of a The World Heritage Committee, Late Tertiary volcano. Gough is scenically beautiful with spectacularly precipitous cliffs around much of 1. Approves the extension of the Gough Island the coastline and mountains rising to 910 m above Wildlife Reserve, United Kingdom, to include the sea level. neighbouring Inaccessible Island and the surrounding marine zone extending out to 12 As provided in IUCN evaluation nautical miles; (1995): EVALUATION: 2. Also approves the extension of the Gough Island marine zone from 3 nautical miles to 12 nautical Gough Island is one of the least disturbed major miles, to bring the boundaries of the World Heritage cool-temperate island ecosystem in the South property in line with those of the Nature Reserve; Atlantic Ocean, and is also one of the most important seabird colonies of the world (criterion iv). 3. Further approves the change of name proposed The island has high scenic qualities with by the State Party to Gough and Inaccessible spectacular sea-cliffs around much of the coastline Islands. (criterion iii). Two endemic land birds are found at 4. Commends the State Party on its policy of Gough, the Gough moorhen and the Gough finch. conservation-based fishery management in the Gough is included in the Tristan da Cunha Priority waters around Gough Island; One Endemic Bird Area, as defined by Bird Life International. The island is home to 12 endemic 5. Invites the authorities to maintain the current tight plant species in addition to other threatened regulations and strict enforcement over illegal species. Gough’s undisturbed nature makes it fisheries; particularly valuable for biological research, with 6. Encourages the State Party to extend its weather monitoring being the only other activity ratification of the Agreement for the Conservation of permitted on the island. The nomination meets all Albatrosses and Petrels to include the Tristan da conditions of integrity (assuming that the adjacent Cunha Archipelago. marine area is included in the site) and should thus be inscribed on the World Heritage List under The property now includes the following land and natural criteria iii and iv. marine areas:

(2004): The proposed extension is in line with the Name Land area Marine area recommendation of IUCN and the World Heritage (ha) (ha) Committee at its 19 th session (Berlin, 1995). IUCN, Gough Island 6500 ha 230,000 ha therefore, recommends the World Heritage Inaccessible 1400 ha 160,000 ha Committee: Island (i) to extend the World Heritage site to include the TOTAL 7900 ha 390,000 ha neighbouring Inaccessible Island and the surrounding marine zone extending out to 12 nautical miles, and • Statement of Significance adequately defines the outstanding universal value of the site (ii) to extend the marine zone around Gough Island • A statement of significance has been drawn up from 3 nautical miles to 12 nautical miles, to bring as part of the Management Plan. The State the boundaries of the World Heritage site in line Party will discuss and agree a revised with those of the Nature Reserve. The extended statement of Outstanding Universal Value World Heritage site would thus include a terrestrial which will be submitted in due course for area of 7,900ha and a marine area of 390,000 ha. consideration by the World Heritage Committee IUCN also recommends the World Heritage • No change required to UNESCO's official Committee to approve the proposed name change description of the site as proposed by the authorities of the UK; that is to Gough and Inaccessible Islands World Heritage Boundaries and Buffer Zone Site. • Status of boundaries of the site: adequate • Buffer zone: no buffer zone has been defined Committee Decision but none needed • Fishing and other activities are prescribed (1994): The Committee made no statement. within the 12 nm marine boundary to the Site, State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II

and out to the 200nm EEZ limit. However, Department on conservation-related matters, Tristan lacks the necessary infrastructure to and arrange an annual environmental enforce this legislation (specifically the lack of a inspection of the site and the operation of the blue water patrol facility). Also, many of the South African meteorological Station birds breeding on the islands range much • No site manager but none needed further than the boundary zones around the site • Management under contractual agreement between the State Party and a third party Status of Authenticity/Integrity • Levels of public authority who are primarily • World Heritage site values have been involved with the management of the site: maintained national; international (given the necessity for • Introduced House Mice are now known to be close liaison with South Africa). significant predators of seabird chicks, and will, • The current management system is sufficiently if uncontrolled, gradually reduce the biological effective value of the site. Identifying effective control measures is a key conservation priority Actions proposed: Sagina procumbens, an aggressive alien plant • Management Plan for the site currently being accidentally introduced during the 1990s, could revised; South African National Antarctic also degrade the integrity of the site if current Programme initiating a risk assessment review control measures prove inadequate of the quarantine procedures; Continuing These anticipated changes affect the research into the impact of house mice and Outstanding Universal Value of the site as appropriate control/eradication measures. identified at the time of the inscription • Timeframe: continuing

3. Protection 5. Management Plan Legislative and Administrative Arrangements • Management plan is being implemented • The entire site is a legally-declared nature • Implementation commenced: 09 / 1995 (revised: reserve, with IUCN strict category 1 status. The 12 / 2004) island part of the reserve is zoned, with most of • Annual environmental inspections of the South the area set aside as a wilderness zone, with African meteorological station and associated strict limits on allowable activities. Most human logistical operations identify potential problem activities are confined to a small logistic zone areas, which are then remedied where possible. with strict limits on allowable activities. Most The most significant long-term threat is posed human activities are confined to a small by accidental introductions of alien species, and logistics zone surrounding the meteorological there is constant review of quarantine station procedures • The protection arrangements are considered • Effective sufficiently effective • Responsibility for over-seeing the Actions taken/proposed: implementation of the management plan and • Review measures and controls: need to monitoring its effectiveness: Tristan improve existing Sagina procumbens control government through its Natural Resources measures; need to identify and implement Department with advice from Gough Island effective control/eradication of introduced Nature Reserve Advisory Committee House Mice • Local level of action. Timeframe: continuing 6. Financial Resources

Financial situation 4. Management • The South African government (Department of Use of site/property Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT)), as • Strict Nature Reserve (no tourism allowed on part of its operation of the meteorological the island, but vessels are allowed to visit the station, provides most of the management marine portion of the reserve) support. The South African DEAT also provides support in kind (support of environmental Management /Administrative Body inspection). Some funds have been raised from • Steering group formally set up on 01 / 01 / 1994 the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to to advise Tristan's Natural Resources tackle specific management issues State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II

(assessment and initial implementation of the Administrator of Tristan da Cuhna and Sagina control) landing sites are restricted to that area of coast • No funding drawn in through World Heritage adjacent to the meteorological station. It is Fund suggested that signs be erected on the island, • Insufficient (Sagina procumbens control being indicating the conservation objectives, and that inadequately maintained) detailed, informative literature be produced for any permitted visitors to the island. There are no visitor facilities 7. Staffing Levels • Visitor facilities are adequate • Number of staff: not provided • Visitor needs: none • Also: IUCN • There is a tourism/visitor management plan for the site: The current management plan Rate of access to adequate professional staff specifically precludes landings by tourists. across the following disciplines: Activities by visitors to the meteorological • Good: conservation, interpretation, visitor station are prescribed in the management plan management • Average: management, promotion, education 10. Scientific Studies • Staff resources are inadequate • One member of the South African team acts as • There is no agreed research framework / conservation officer in a voluntary capacity, but strategy for the site the level of involvement varies, and there is no • Risk assessment, studies related to the value of quality control of actions. The annual the site, monitoring exercises environmental inspector also is usually a • 1- Risk assessment for field workers at Gough voluntary position (duration 5 weeks) Island has been conducted in terms of a joint RSPB/University of Cape Town research project. 2- Several studies have described the 8. Sources of Expertise and Training in island’s terrestrial biodiversity, most notably the Conservation and Management vertebrates, macro-invertebrates and vascular Techniques plants. 3- A monitoring protocol for threatened • Staff training and facilities: Nothing formal; birds has been designed, and is currently being inspectors and conservation officers are briefed implemented. Informal monitoring and regular in Cape Town prior to annual relief visits to the inspections also are made for alien organisms site, and conservation officers trained on site arriving at the island during the 3-week long relief period by the • Studies used for management of site: The inspector invertebrate survey demonstrated the • Training needs: The role of voluntary inadequacy of past measures to prevent arrival conservation officers needs to be formalised, of new alien organisms with imported materials, and ideally rewarded financially to place greater and provides a baseline against which the onus on them to perform their duties diligently. efficacy of new control measures can be To effectively implement Sagina control assessed measures, conservation officers need to undergo training in rope work to allow them to 11. Education, Information and Awareness access all affected sites Building • No training on site management for stakeholders • No signs referring to World Heritage site • World Heritage Convention Emblem not used on publications 9. Visitor Management • Adequate awareness of World Heritage among: • Visitor statistics: 40 visitors (2003). Trend: local communities. Inadequate: visitors. Constant (landing by permit only) Businesses and local authorities: not provided • Visitor facilities: The site is not open to visitors, • There is no education strategy for the site: but tour ships visit the waters around the island Currently limited to voluntary briefings prior to each year departure from Cape Town and on board ship Access to Gough Island is prohibited unless en route to Gough Island. Tristan studies at prior written approval has been obtained from school on Tristan da Cuhna State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II

• Need for awareness raising: Improved Royal Society for the Protection of Birds education of visitors to the site. Arrangements (RSPB), in conjunction with the University of are currently being made for the production and Cape Town, has initiated a monitoring installation of plaques commemorating programme for threatened birds at the island. inscription for both Gough and Inaccessible This programme needs to be enlarged to Islands include vegetation structure and other key • No website available indicators of ecosystem health, and formalized, • Local participation: none, although more effort perhaps through the annual inspection process should be made to involve local Tristanians 14. Conclusions and Recommended 12. Factors affecting the Property (State of Actions Conservation) • Main benefits of WH status: conservation. Also: Reactive monitoring reports Educational - raising awareness of the • World Heritage Bureau sessions: 24th (2000) importance of the site • World Heritage Committee sessions: 23rd • Strength of management: 1- Management of (1999); 24th (2000) human activities has been improved considerably to reduce negative impacts and Conservation interventions reduce the risk of further accidental • The main action has been an attempt to introductions. 2- Major survey of macro- eradicate the newly-arrived alien plant Sagina invertebrate fauna (first since initial survey in procumbens. Research has been focused on 1956). 3- Monitoring protocols for threatened the abundance, distribution and impacts of bird species established. 4- Identification of alien species, notably invertebrates and House novel threats to the island’s ecosystem posed Mice. There also has been an increase in by introduced House Mice biodiversity conservation research and • Weaknesses of management: 1- Extremely monitoring since the site’s inscription. remote, with difficult access, makes • Present state of conservation: Adequate management difficult (although isolation is also a benefit). 2- Lack of skilled expertise on Threats and Risks to site Tristan da Cunha to manage the site, and • Accidental introduction of alien species currently no direct input from Tristan or UK proposes the greatest threat to the site (House government towards day-to-day management Mice pose probably the greatest threat to the of the site. 3- Lack of continuity at highest level biological integrity of the site, impacting heavily in Tristan government (Administrators replaced on the terrestrial ecosystem, through predation on 3-year cycle) leads to inconsistent of native invertebrates, seeds and seabird commitment to management chicks). Unregulated fishing activities throughout the South Atlantic Ocean (in the Future actions: waters around the site extending out to the • Need a formalized commitment by Tristan and foraging range of marine birds and mammals UK to manage the site effectively from the island) causes unsustainable mortality • No WH Funding is sought. No timeframe of some breeding seabird species provided • Emergency measures taken: Eradication of house mice. Also: Improved quarantine measures should slow, if not altogether halt, the arrival of alien species at the island. Several international initiatives are underway to reduce the mortality of seabirds on longlines, and other negative fishery-bird interactions. Timeframe: long-term

13. Monitoring • No formal monitoring programme • There is no formal monitoring protocol administered by the managing authority. The