Decision 44 COM 7B.192

Gough and Inaccessible Islands (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (N 740bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7B.81, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
3. Welcomes the progress made in 2019 regarding preparations for the implementation of the house mouse (Mus musculus) eradication programme on Gough Island in 2020, however regrets that COVID-19 restrictions resulted in the postponement of the programme’s implementation, and requests the State Party to ensure the full implementation of the programme, including to secure adequate funding, as a matter of priority as soon as conditions allow;
4. Reiterates its request to the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed on the results of the house mouse eradication programme and on actions to avoid collateral impact on any non-target species, and in particular those that are components of the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV);
5. Appreciating that progress has been made to limit the spread of the invasive plant procumbent pearlwort (Sagina procumbens), also requests that the State Party fully implement the eradication programme for this species, and also reiterates its request to the State Party to submit the review of the effectiveness of the eradication programme to the World Heritage Centre as soon as it is available;
6. Encourages the State Party to continue sharing its experience on invasive alien species eradication and island ecosystem management practices to promote knowledge exchange with other States Parties facing similar challenges;
7. Further requests the State Party to provide an update on the state of conservation of the property’s values relating to biodiversity, including population dynamics of the species that are part of its OUV, and on any risks determined from the sunken fishing vessel on the OUV of the property;
8. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2022, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session.