The Ramsar Convention recognizes that the designation of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites) provides just the starting point for securing the sustainability of wetlands and the maintenance of ecosystem services, and that development and implementation of a management planning process, involving all stakeholders, is necessary to achieve this. Furthermore, such management planning processes can and should be applicable to all wetlands, irrespective of whether they have been Ramsar designated or not. COP5 (1993) adopted Guidelines on management planning for Ramsar Sites and other wetlands as the Annex to Resolution 5.7. Subsequently a number of additional tools and guidance relevant to the implementation of management of wetlands have been developed and adopted by the Conferences of the Parties, which together form the integrated package compiled in this Handbook. This includes guidance on describing the ecological character of wetlands, designing a monitoring programme, and wetland management in relation to sustainable fisheries