Ascension : DIARY OF A COUNCILLOR
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 23.09.2004 (Article Archived on 07.10.2004)

18 September Read letter from Senior Fisheries Officer (StH) to the Administrator ref fishing within Ascension waters (and comments of other Councillors).

18 September   Read letter from Senior Fisheries Officer (StH) to the Administrator ref fishing within Ascension waters (and comments of other Councillors).

                        Read Terms of Reference for AIG’s Legal Advisor

20 September   Read papers to be discussed at the next council meeting.

Events coming up are:-

24 September   2.30pm Council Meeting with new Attorney General, Mr. Ken Baddon

                        6.30pm Drinks reception for the AG

Progress towards the achievement of AIG’s Strategic Plan

A.I.G.’s strategies for developing Ascension can be divided into:-

            -           Drivers            that drive the establishment of a “family island”

            -           Enablers          that support the establishment of a “family island”.

Enablers                     à        Drivers                        à        Vision

Infrastructure                           Economic                                A family Island under-

                                                Social                                       pinned by an open,

Environment                          Right of Abode                        transparent and fair

                                                   /Immigration                        democratic process

Enabler – ENVIRONMENT

Aims

• Ensure the protection of i) turtles ii) seabirds iii) fish and crayfish and iv) other endemic species and their environments both on land and in the waters off Ascension so that they can be enjoyed both now and in the future by inhabitants of and visitors to Ascension.


• Protect areas of Ascension by Protected Areas legislation.


• Develop a tourist strategy so that locals and visitors can enjoy the environmental aspects of Ascension without prejudicing the life of important animals, birds, flora and fauna ands marine species.


• Institute controlled research & development programmes to encourage the acquisition of knowledge about the endemic life on Ascension to aid its propagation and development.


• Develop and implement an effective pest control strategy to ensure a disease-free lifestyle for the inhabitants of Ascension


• Institute fisheries protection in Ascension water


• Protection of Ascension Island species through legislation.

Achievements to date

• National Protected Areas Ordinance enacted.


• RSPB Seabird Restoration Project in the monitoring phase.


• Environmental Impact Analysis on beach sand extraction carried out.


• Examination of fisheries protection options under way.


• Sports fishing operations licensed.


• Rat control strategy implemented.

Geoff Jones

Island Councillor