Alderney West Coast and the Burhou Islands were the first areas in the Bailiwick of Guernsey to be designated as a Ramsar Site (a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention). Covering 1,500 hectares the site extends from the waters of the island’s west coast, to the northern gannet colony of Ortac, Burhou and the islets and reefs that surround it, and the islet of Les Etacs. The site was designated for its rich wetland habitats: permanent shallow marine waters, marine subtidal aquatic beds, rocky marine shores, maritime cliff and slopes, and sand, shingle and pebble shores. Management and monitoring of the Ramsar Site is undertaken by Alderney Wildlife Trust.