Naturalists should find out in the next few weeks whether Alderney's wetlands will receive international recognition. An application is being made on behalf of the island by the UK government to the Ramsar trust in Geneva.
Achieving Ramsar status for an area of Alderney's coast will mean it is protected as being of global importance in the conservation of wetlands.
The areas being considered are the Clonque and Hannaine Bays and the tiny islands of Burhou, Ortac and Les Etacs.
The area hosts the largest puffin breeding colony in the islands and a gannet colony which includes 1% of the world's breeding population, with about 6,000 breeding pairs.
The Wildlife Trust, which has been spearheading the campaign for Ramsar status, hopes if it is awarded it could be officially launched in Alderney at the end of August
One-Minute World News 
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