East Rennell

Indicator for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Rationale

Method of verification

ATTRIBUTES

1

INTEGRITY

2

Any extractive activities  in West Rennell (logging, mining) are  managed in a way that would prevent any negative impact on the OUV of the property and its integrity

Unsustainable logging and mining operations on Rennell Island have the potential to directly and indirectly impact on the OUV of East Rennell through habitat fragmentation and degradation especially near the boundary of the property. Some scientific research suggests that the forests on East Rennell are not large enough to remain ecologically functional without the forests on West Rennell. More scientific research is urgently required to determine the critical forest areas in West Rennell that support the ecological functioning and the integrity of the property and the conservation of its OUV. The results of this research will also help policy makers with the development of a sustainable forest management framework in West Rennell in time and space.

Development of a 1998 (time of inscription) and 2013 (time of inscription on Danger List) baseline for forest cover.

Periodical analysis of satellite images indicating the current forest cover measured against the baseline.

Critical forest areas in West Rennell that support the ecological functioning of East Rennell are identified based on sound science, and these areas are excluded from ecologically damaging activities, such as logging and mining.

Legal mechanism(s) regulating approval processes for any sustainable forest and mining activities in West Rennell and their management have been established, based on the ecologically critical areas described above.

The Code of Practice is applied to existing logging leases in Rennell Island until their completion and no activity that has the potential to impact the OUV of the property is permitted, unless ESIA has indicated that it will not create a negative impact on the property, and the necessary actions specified in the ESIA to prevent such damage are implemented.

3

Threats to the OUV of the property from already introduced invasive species have been identified and minimized and biosecurity measures have been established to prevent new introductions

The black rat is among the most widespread invasive vertebrates on islands and continents (Shiels et al., 2013). It survives well in human dominated environments, natural areas, and islands where humans are not present. Rattus rattus is typically the most common invasive rodent in insular forests (Shiels et al., 2013). Few vertebrates are more problematic to island biota and human livelihoods than R. rattus; it is well known to damage crops and stored foods, kill native species, and serve as a vector for human diseases (Shiels et al., 2013). The black rat is an omnivore, yet fruit and seed generally dominate their diet, and prey items (including eggs and hatchlings) from the ground to the canopy are commonly at risk and exploited as a result of the prominent arboreal activity of black rats. It is likely that there have been multiple introductions of black rats (and potentially other species) into West Rennell via the ocean-going barges that originally came from China and now process logs through Honiara Port, where black rats are common. Rats have been observed by local communities inside the World Heritage property.

The accidental introduction of the Giant African Land Snail (Achatina spp.) into Rennell Island is considered to be a serious potential threat to the OUV of the East Rennell World Heritage site and also to food security on the island. Considered one of the 100 world´s worst invasive alien species, intense concern is raised due to its adverse impact on agriculture, human health and native fauna (Vogler et al., 2013); moreover, once established this snail is impossible to eradicate.

More research is urgently required to understand the population dynamics of invasive rats (presence, population density, current distribution, rate of spread) and its impact on the OUV of the property. A full eradication of black rats on Rennell Island will be very difficult because of its large size (Shiels et al., 2013), therefore research will help to identify next steps and potential international support.

Assessment on the impact and extent of the distribution of invasive rats (Rattus rattus) on Rennell Island, and in particular on the OUV of the property.

Effective activities to minimize the impact of already introduced invasive species, especially via the eradication of rats, are underway, adequately funded and showing positive results (eg., rat eradication program with international support and working closely with local people and relevant state and provincial government personnel, …).

Effective biosecurity measures are fully operational at places of disembarkation on Rennell Island (airport, seaport, log ponds) to prevent the accidental introduction of invasive species (eg., rats, snails, ants, plants) on Rennell island.

4

Coconut crab and other marine resources are harvested in a sustainable manner based on traditional resource use regimes

The people of East Rennell harvest crayfish, giant clam, trochus (sea snail) and reef fish for consumption and for sale. Beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) was a key resource for income generation until a national ban on its export was imposed in 2005, which shifted the pressure to trochus. Coconut crabs, which are important for subsistence use and as a source of cash income, are harvested year-round. Crabs have disappeared from the western part of Rennell Island, and within the property the harvesting success rate is dropping, raising concerns that increased harvesting pressure may lead to localised extinction of the species. Harvesting of marine resources is essentially unregulated and traditional conservation measures have been supplanted by a more commercial approach. For coconut crab there are no community-based controls on target animals or on harvesting levels, times or durations (IUCN mission report, 2012).

Controls on harvesting of marine resources and coconut crabs are urgently required, including restrictions on the number and size of animals harvested, prohibition of taking pregnant females or eggs, and imposition of seasonal limits and no-take zones. A return to traditional conservation measures should be encouraged. This should be accompanied by research, survey and monitoring along with training and awareness-raising in the local community (IUCN mission report, 2012).

Adoption and enforcement of restrictions on harvesting levels for coconut crab (number and size of animals allowed to be harvested), establishment of no-take zones and imposition of seasonal restrictions, through the revised Management Plan for the property or another mechanism.

Population data for coconut crab and other key indicator species (to define) compared to baseline data (to be collected, relative to a date as close as possible to the date of inscription on the World Heritage List).

MANAGEMENT

5

The management plan for the sustainable management of the property has been officially adopted and is being implemented

A management plan would integrate the development needs of the local communities with the priorities of protecting the OUV of the property. Completing and adopting the management plan, with consent of the customary owners, will strengthen the actions and rules of the management plan, especially those that relate directly to the Protected Area Regulations and as such would be enforced through the Protected Areas Act.

Without continuous financial and technical support, the decisions made by the Lake Tegano World Heritage Site Association and the objectives of the management plan cannot be implemented on the ground. Once continuous support is available for basic activities, extra sources of funding for specific projects could be more easily attracted from a wide variety of sources.

Without a viable income-generating alternative for mining and logging, it could be difficult for local communities to continue to support the sustainable conservation of the World Heritage property. Climate change has already resulted in decreased food security and increased dependency on imported food for which cash money is necessary thus increasing the need for cash income even more in the short term.

The new management plan has been endorsed by the Lake Tegano World Heritage Site Association.

The Solomon Islands Government has allocated funding for the implementation of the management plan.

The Solomon Islands Government has adopted an Action Plan to prioritize East Rennell and its local communities, and to develop alternative income generating mechanisms that derive benefits from the conservation of the property’s OUV.