The Single Species Action Plan (SSAP) for the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus is currently being revised under the auspices of AEWA and will be submitted for approval by the 4th session of the Meeting of the Parties in September this year.

In accordance with the agreements reached during the negotiation mission of the Secretariat to the Fenoscandian countries in 2007, two bodies will be established to provide guidance and coordination to the implementation of the SSAP – a Working Group consisting of representatives of all range states of the species and a Committee for captive breeding, reintroduction and supplementation in Fenoscandia, comprising representatives of Finland, Norway and Sweden with Germany as an observer. These two new bodies are to be chaired by the Secretariat.

In order to take over this new role and associated additional workload, the Secretariat established a new post to coordinate the implementation of the SSAP for the Lesser White-fronted Goose. This post, kindly sponsored by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management, will, amongst other things, provide technical support to the two newly created bodies and will be of assistance to the range states, including helping with fundraising for conservation activities.

We are happy to be able to welcome Ms. Kirsten Martin in this role. Kirsten is of German nationality and has a background in marine ecology with a focus on assessment and management tools for species abundance and diversity. She has been involved in research projects in collaboration with governmental agencies in various countries. In recent years she worked for the IUCN on marine protected areas, ecosystem-based management and fisheries, with a geographic focus on coastal West Africa. Besides her native tongue (German) Kirsten speaks English, French and Spanish.

For more information please contact Kirsten Martin:
Tel: (+49) 02228 -815 2452
E-Mail: kmartin@unep.de