Ichkeul. 24/11/80; Bizerte; 12,600 ha; 37°10'N 009°40'E. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990. Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site; National Park. An extensive, seasonally variable lake with associated marshes and varying salinity. Vegetation consists of reedbeds, scrub, and halophytic (salt tolerant) plants. The region is one of the most important in Tunisia for fresh water and in North Africa for several species of wintering waterbirds, whose numbers reach 90,000 or more and include globally threatened species. Human activities include fishing, with production reaching 200,000 kg per year, livestock grazing, and tourism. There is an ecomuseum and information centre at the site. The restriction of the water supply to the lake has caused the drying out of the marshes, a decline in the quality of bird habitat, higher salinity, and increased grazing, which further degrades the marsh vegetation. Designated as a Montreux Record site in 1990 because of possible changes to its ecological character resulting from dam construction on the inflowing oueds (rivers), outside the Ramsar site, for the purpose of supplying water for irrigation. Subject of Ramsar Advisory Missions in 1988, 1989, and 2000. Ramsar site no. 213. Most recent RIS information: 1992.