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Australia’s National Report for the Tenth JAMBA and Fourth CAMBA Consultative Meetings, Nanchang, China, 22-25 November 1999

Tenth Consultative Meeting

of the

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND THE

GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN FOR THE PROTECTION OF MIGRATORY BIRDS AND

BIRDS IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT

and the

Fourth Consultative Meeting

of the

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND THE

GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOR THE PROTECTION

OF MIGRATORY BIRDS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Austral ia’ s National Report (1999)

Nanchang, Peoples Republic of China

21-25 November 1999

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS i

LIST OF TABLES ii

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. RESEARCH UNDER THE AGREEMENTS 2

2.1 SPECIAL INTEREST SPECIES 2

2.1.1 Grey-tailed Tattler (JAMBA) 2

2.1.2 Eastern Curlew (JAMBA and CAMBA) 2

2.1.3 Wandering Albatross (JAMBA) 2

2.1.4 Red-necked Stint (CAMBA) 3

2.1.5 Great Knot 3

2.2 OTHER SPECIES OF SIGNIFICANCE 4

2.2.1 Lathams Snipe (JAMBA and CAMBA) 4

2.3 OTHER RESEARCH 4

2.3.1 Impacts of disturbance 4

2.3.2 Gulf of Carpentaria Shorebird Surveys 4

2.3.3 Feeding ecology studies 5

2.3.4 New Atlas of Australian Birds 5

2.3.5 Shorebird Population Monitoring Methods 5

2.3.6 The Distribution of Waders along the Queensland Coastline 6

2.3.7 Summary Report on Wader Surveys 1989 to 1997 in the Great Sandy Strait 6

2.3.8 Census of Shorebirds in South Australia 6

2.3.9 Colour marking protocol 6

3. MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND OTHER ACTIONS 73.1 SHORT -TAILED SHEARWATER (JAMBA) 7

3.2 MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD R OOST AND FEEDING SITES IN MORETON BAY 7

3.3 A MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY’S COASTAL WILDLIFE 8

3.4 MANAGING VISITATION TO SEABIRD BREEDING ISLANDS 8

3.5 SPONSORED SUBSCRIPTIONS TO T HE S TILT AND T HE T ATTLER. 8

3.6 NEW SOUTH WALES MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 8

4. COMMONWEALTH PROGRAMS 8

4.1 NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST 8

4.2 NATIONAL WETLANDS PROGRAM (MIGRATORY WATERBIRD PROGRAM) 9

4.3 COMMONWEALTH WETLANDS POLICY 10

4.4 THREATENED SPECIES AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM 104.4.1 Listing of nationally threatened species and Key Threatening Processes 11

4.4.2 Action to identify and address nationally threatened species and ecological communities 11

4.4.3 Action Plans 11

4.4.4 Development of Recovery Plans 12

4.4.5 Development of Threat Abatement Plans 12

4.4.6 Education, Community Awareness and Involvement 12

4.4.7 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 12

4.5 COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATION 12

5. TRAINING 13

5.1 DEVELOPMENT OF SHOREBIRD MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE IN CHINA 13

5.2 DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY EXPERTISE IN CHINA 135.3 CONSERVATION OF SHOREBIRD HABITAT IN SOUTH K OREA 13

5.4 DEVELOPMENT OF AN ASIA-PACIFIC WETLAND MANAGERS’ TRAINING PROGRAM 13

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6. THE AUSTRALIAN BIRD AND BAT BANDING SCHEME 13

7.. RELATED INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES 23

7.1 ACTION PLAN FOR THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS IN ASIA-PACIFIC 1998-2000 23

7.2 THE R AMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS 24

7.2.1 Seventh meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance,

San Jose, Costa Rica, 1999 24

7.2.2 New Sites Added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance 247.2.3 Management Plans for Ramsar Sites 26

7.3 DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTILATERAL FRAMEWORK 26

7.4 POST -2000 STRATEGY 26

7.5 SITE TWINNING 26

7.6 CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES 26

7.7 THE CITES CONVENTION 27

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE PAGE

Table 1. Summary of bird recoveries between Australia and Japan/China (bands and colour flags) 16

Table 2. Summary of “species of special interest” banded and recovered under the Australian Bird and Bat Banding

Scheme during the period 1953-99. 19

Table 3. Banding projects operating during 1996-99, relevant to JAMBA/CAMBA 21

Table 4 Sites comprising the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network (July 1999) 23

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1. INTRODUCTION

This report provides an overview of significant management and research actions at a national andinternational level undertaken during the period 1997 to 1999 by the Commonwealth, State and

Territory Governments in relation to implementation of Australia’s obligations under the Agreement

between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for the protection of

migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction and their environment and the Agreement

between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for

the protection of migratory birds and their environment.

At least 36 species of migratory shorebirds are regular visitors to Australia. A further 16 species are

occasionally recorded. In addition there are 15 species of shorebirds which are resident in Australia. It

is estimated that at least 2 million migratory shorebirds visit Australia annually while there are at least 1.1million shorebirds resident in Australia.

Almost all of Australia’s migratory species breed in northern Asia during the May-July period. Two

notable exceptions are the Australian Pratincole, which breeds in Australia and migrates to South-east

Asia, and the Double-banded Plover, which breeds in New Zealand and migrates to Australia during

February-June.

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2. RESEARCH UNDER THE AGREEMENTS

2.1 Special interest species

2.1.1 Grey-tailed Tattler (JAMBA)

Work conducted over the past two years is providing a more comprehensive understanding of thenorthward migration of the species.

Under the Shorebird Action Plan several survey and training activities have been conducted in China by

Wetlands International in cooperation with Protected Area staff. Over the course on these activities

during northward migration in 1997, 1999 and 1999 less than 50 Grey-tailed Tattler have been

recorded.

During northward migration in South Korea, based on data from 21 major sites for shorebird, a

minimum estimate of 1 400 has been developed (Yi Jeong-Yeon and Kim Jin-Han in prep.). This work

is being conducted as a cooperative project between the National Institute of Environmental Researchand Wetlands International with funding from the International Conservation Program of Environment

Australia.

The recent national shorebird surveys in Japan have counted up to 5 500 Grey-tailed Tattler during

northward migration on 1998.

It is increasing clear that Grey-tailed Tattlers migrate through the western Pacific and do not significantly

use the coasts of mainland China.

2.1.2 Eastern Curlew (JAMBA and CAMBA)Australia and Japan have jointly supported a project to track by satellite the migration of Eastern

Curlews. Fifteen satellite transmitters were fitted in February 1997 at Moreton Bay and nine more

satellite transmitters were fitted at Moreton Bay in January 1998. In February 1999, five birds were

fitted with transmitters at Moreton Bay and a further eight at Westernport in Victoria In addition, in

1999 six transmitters were attached to Eastern Curlews in Russia on the Kamchatka Peninsula and in

the Amur Basin, to monitor southward migration.

Of the 37 Eastern Curlews fitted with transmitters in Australia, five have been tracked to Russia. One

of these, a female named Mia, was also tracked on her return journey to Australia. Eleven birds

returned to Australia after reaching Papua New Guinea/Irian Jaya, while a further five did not leave

Australia.

The tracking data indicate that Eastern Curlews probably make continuous flights of 4-5 days duration

covering 6,000 km without landfall. A final report on the Australian project is expected at the end of

1999.

2.1.3 Wandering Albatross (JAMBA)

Research on albatrosses has included the following:

• Research on the Status of Macquarie Island Albatrosses and Giant Petrels (Tasmanian Parks and

Wildlife Service)

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• Assessment of seabird – longline fishing interactions within the Australian Fishing Zone (Tasmanian

Parks and Wildlife Service)

• Development of mitigation measures to reduce seabird mortality in longline fishing (including

underwater setting developments) (Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service)

• Production of video for fishers illustrating effective use of seabird mitigation measures in longline

fishing (Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service)

2.1.4 Red-necked Stint (CAMBA)

Around 350,000 Red-necked Stints visit Australia annually. A 2 year project undertaken by the

Adelaide University with Commonwealth support examined the foraging behaviour of Red-necked

Stints, and their food supply. The project collected data from three localities known to support

significant numbers of Red-necked Stints - the Coorong, Gulf St Vincent, and Spencer Gulf, in three

months – December 1997, January and February 1998.

A final report on this study is in preparation. Preliminary results indicate

• similar flock densities occur at each of the three localities (0.1 – 2.7 birds per sq metre)

• Red-necked Stints compensate for areas of low food density by moving more rapidly and foraging

less in those areas

• Red-necked Stints have a broad diet incorporating seeds, polychaetes and other annelids, dipteran

larvae and pupae, and crustaceans

Shorebird surveys in the past two years in the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Korea

have shown that only small number of Red-necked Stint use the coastal areas of the Yellow Sea during

northward migration.

Maximum counts from Australia’s training and survey activities in the Peoples Republic of China under

the Shorebird Action Plan have been:

- Huang He 2,000

- Shuangtaizaihe 270

- Yalu Jiang 300

In the Rebublic of Korea the numbers on northward migration in 1998 were approximately 5% of the

population estimate. In Japan, numbers during northward migration are approximately 5% of the

population. This suggests that there is a significant migration route through inland China. Data recently

published from Transbaikalia (Russian Federation) and North-eastern Mongolia support this suggestion

(Goroshko 1999). Further survey work is needed of the inland wetlands on China in the April-May period to identify the staging sites.

2.1.5 Great Knot

Under the Shorebird Action Plan several survey and training activities have been conducted in China by

Wetlands International in cooperation with Protected Area staff. Counts of Great Knot during this

work include:

Chongming Dao 10,000 (northward migration 1997)

Huang He 13,000 (northward migration 1998)

Shuangtaizaihe 30,000 (northward migration 1998)Linghekou 18,000 (northward migration 1999)

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Yalu Jiang 55,000 (northward migration 1999)

During northward migration in South Korea, based on data from 21 major sites for shorebirds, a

minimum estimate of 80,000 Great Knot has been developed. This work is being conducted as a

cooperative project between the National Institute of Environmental Research and Wetlands

International with funding from the International Conservation Program of Environment Australia.

The national shorebird surveys conducted in Japan by JAWAN have counted up to 5,500 Grey-tailed

Tattler during northward migration on 1998.

2.2 Other species of significance

2.2.1 Lathams Snipe (JAMBA and CAMBA)

With the aid of Commonwealth funding, Birds Australia investigated the ecology of a population of

Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii in the Lower Hunter Valley, New South Wales, using radio

telemetry. Movement patterns revealed some birds were sedentary while others displayed daily local

movements associated with a change in foraging habitat. Many snipe also regularly left the Hunter Valley study area for lengthy periods.

Night-time feeding habitat was found to differ from day-time feeding habitat. Favoured night-time

feeding habitat was often islands of Paspalum distichum or Juncus sp. in areas of relatively deep

water. In contrast, favoured day-time feeding habitat usually consisted of muddy margins to wetlands,

often in relatively open situations Roosting habitat mostly consisted of dense low vegetation in wet

situations with the dominant vegetation being either Paspalum distichum or Juncus sp..

Feeding rate did not differ significantly between microhabitats, sites or over the course of the study.

However, feeding success did differ significantly between sites. The most commonly used foraginghabitat was firm mud, while the most commonly identified items in snipe faeces were adults and larvae of

the order Coleoptera (beetles) and larvae from the order Diptera (flies).

Basic habitat requirements for Latham’s Snipe include suitable night-time and day-time feeding habitat,

and roosting sites. As Latham’s Snipe appears to be relatively flexible in choice of roosting habitat,

availability of suitable foraging habitat is probably the most important factor in determining local

distribution. A report of this study has been compiled.

2.3 Other research

2.3.1 Impacts of disturbance

Environment Australia has funded two studies of the impacts of disturbance on migratory waterbirds.

One study reviewed available information on the disturbance impacts of jet skis and hovercraft on

migratory waterbirds with a view to developing recommendations on methods of researching

disturbance impacts. The second study sought to collect field data on the impact of a range of

recreational activities such as walking, canoeing and power boats, on migratory waterbirds. Final

reports for both studies are expected by the end of 1999.

2.3.2 Gulf of Carpentaria Shorebird Surveys

The Gulf of Carpentaria is one of the most important shorebird sites in Australia and is known to be

internationally significant for about 20 shorebird species including Great Knot, Red Knot, Black-tailed

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Godwit and Red-necked Stint. The Queensland Wader Study Group, with funding assistance from the

Queensland Department of Environment and the Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage Trust, is carrying

out a three year (1997-2000) project aimed at extending previous broad-based aerial survey work.

Under this project

(a) shorebirds are being surveyed from the air and from the ground/water

(b) important intertidal feeding and high tide roosting areas are being mapped, and

(c) shorebirds are being caught and fitted them with leg flags, and radio transmitters to determine

local or international movement patterns.

The project is providing a more detailed understanding of the precise mix of species using the various

parts of the Gulf. It is also yielding information on the timing of migration and seasonal use of the Gulf

during peak periods of migration, and is giving some insight to the significance of the Gulf for shorebirds

during the northern breeding period.

2.3.3 Feeding ecology studies

The Charles Sturt University is conducting a project centred on Roebuck Bay, Western Australia. The

project aims to identify key foraging sites and roost preferences for the shorebirds of the area. Detailed

work on Great Knot and Red Knot will explore how the foraging success of those species is influenced by age, prey availability, tidal range, time of day, season, microhabitat, and interactions with other

shorebirds.

In a project being undertaken by Griffith University, the focus is on identification of foraging habitat, and

determination of prey types for Eastern Curlews in Moreton Bay.

2.3.4 New Atlas of Australian Birds

In 1984 the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU) published The Atlas of Australian

Birds, compiled from data collected over the period 1977-1981. Since publication of the Atlas,

Australia’s natural landscape has undergone considerable changes. The impact of these changes onAustralia’s avifauna have not been monitored in any systematic way.

Birds Australia (formerly the RAOU) has begun a four year project to compile a New Atlas of

Australian Birds. The New Atlas will describe the distribution and abundance of all bird species,

including breeding and non-breeding populations, in Australia. The goal is to visit every 1° block across

Australia. Data will be collected primarily by amateur ornithologists, and it is hoped that the project will

be an opportunity to put in place a system for long term monitoring of bird populations.

2.3.5 Shorebird Population Monitoring Methods

In 1980 the Australasian Wader Studies Group began population monitoring program. The aim of the

Program was to use volunteer observers throughout Australia to collect counts of migratory shorebirds

to monitor population changes. In 1996, Environment Australia commissioned a consultant to review

the methods used and data collected by the Program. The review focussed on data collected during the

period 1981-1994 and concluded that in all but a few instances, the data could not be used to indicate

trends in population sizes.

Environment Australia is now funding the development and trial of a new shorebird monitoring method

that will reveal trends in population size. The method will be trialled and refined in at least 2 field trials

before wider application. While initially the method may be customised for monitoring at a particular

site or sites, it is hoped to apply the method at other sites, possibly including elsewhere in the migratory

flyway. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2000.

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2.3.6 The Distribution of Waders along the Queensland Coastline

A report commissioned by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage on the distribution

of shorebirds along the Queensland coastline was completed in 1996 by Dr Peter Driscoll of the

Queensland Wader Study Group. The report analysed data on wader numbers from a range of sources

to indicate the approximate numbers of waders in each of 13 coastal regions as a basis for the

protection and management of coastal wader habitats. The report identified important roosting and

feeding areas, made recommendations on a range of management issues, and incorporated a guide tomanagers for valuing wader roosts.

2.3.7 Summary Report on Wader Surveys 1989 to 1997 in the Great Sandy Strait

This report was commissioned by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage to collate

and analyse the results of four wader surveys, including a comprehensive simultaneous survey of Great

Sandy Strait and Tin Can Inlet in November 1997. The report provided population estimates and

mapped a comprehensive list of roost sites. The information supported the successful nomination of

Great Sandy Strait as a Ramsar site, and will be useful in developing a management plan for the area.

2.3.8 Census of Shorebirds in South Australia

A census of shorebirds in South Australia has been funding through the Natural Heritage Trust and will

commence in February 2000. The main aim of the project is to census shorebirds and map the main

feeding and roosting sites in The Coorong, Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf in South Australia. The

data will be used in the updating of estimate shorebird populations and the application of the associated

Ramsar 1% criteria levels for Australia. The project report will serve as a baseline against which to

measure any future changes in population levels or changes in habitat.

2.3.9 Colour marking protocol

At the Ninth Consultative meeting under the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement, Australiatabled a Draft Protocol for Colour Flagging of Migratory Shorebirds in the East Asian –

Australasian Flyway. The development of this protocol was undertaken in response to an urgent need

for the coordination of colour marking throughout the Asia Pacific flyways with the likelihood of more

colour marking projects commencing.

Comments were sought from both China and Japan on the draft document, and these were provided to

Australia inter-sessionally. In July this year, Australia and Wetlands International finalised a review of

the comments received and revised the draft protocol. The revised draft protocol has been circulated to

both Japan and China for further consideration. Features of the revised draft include:

•

coverage of 72 populations representing 60 species of migratory shorebirds;• a proposal to restrict colour flagging to populations that occur in ecologically significant numbers

within each range state;

• standardising the placement of the metal band to the left tarsus (the integrity of the colour marking

system will be maximised if the metal band is attached in a standard position);

• a recommendation that each banding scheme maintain a National Register of Colour Flagging

Projects;

• suggested communication pathways including the establishment of an informal liaison group and

primarily utilising email for communication. This would allow for more frequent contact between

banding schemes and could include information such as recoveries and flagging proposals; and

• identification of national contacts to streamline the reporting mechanisms for resightings of colour

marked shorebirds.

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3. MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND OTHER ACTIONS

3.1 Short-tailed Shearwater (JAMBA)

The Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris, also commonly known as the Tasmanian

muttonbird, breeds only in Australia and is Australia’s most abundant seabird. Hunting of muttonbirds

began as a traditional practice before European contact. Commercial exploitation by sealers started in

the late 1790’s. Commercial harvesting increased rapidly to a peak annual take of “millions” in 1872.The industry has continued to the present day although the numbers of birds taken has steadily declined

to around 100,000 – 250,000 chicks per year. Commercial operators sell the meat for human

consumption, and oil and feathers for commercial use. Non-commercial harvesting for personal

consumption developed alongside the industry, particularly since the 1950’s. Around 60,000 chicks

currently are taken annually in the non-commercial harvest.

Part of the commercial harvest is exported internationally, requiring approval under the Commonwealth

Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982. To meet the requirements of

this legislation, the harvesting of muttonbirds is currently regulated under the Short-tailed Shearwater

management program in Tasmania 1 January 1998-31 December 2000. Among other matters, themanagement program requires monitoring and assessment of muttonbird populations and harvesting

effort.

In 1999, Environment Australia-Biodiversity Group began funding Murdoch University to carry out a

consultancy on "Evaluation of the monitoring effort required to manage sustainable harvesting in an

exploited seabird, short tailed shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris". The project aims to:

1. review the utility of an existing monitoring site of a breeding colony in the Flinders Island Group,

Tasmania and

2. evaluate the monitoring effort to manage sustainable harvesting of short tailed shearwaters through population modelling. The modelling will, inter alia, explore the quality of monitoring data that

would be required to detect significant changes in the population so that timely and effective

harvest management regimes can be applied. This will involve the exploration of critical parameters

and of the power of varying monitoring regimes. It will also incorporate fisheries bycatch mortality

into the model as a second anthropogenic factor.

It is planned that this work will be conducted in collaboration with Otago University, New Zealand, as

the Otago University is constructing harvesting models for the Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus. The

consultancy will be completed by the end of 1999 and the results of may be available via the world wide

web on the Internet.

3.2 Management Planning for Migratory Shorebird Roost and Feeding Sites in Moreton Bay

In a two-year project (1998-1999) funded jointly by community organisations, the Queensland

Department of Environment and the Commonwealth through the Natural Heritage Trust, specific

management plans for migratory shorebird habitats within Moreton Bay Marine Park (a Ramsar-listed

wetland) and adjacent areas have been compiled. The site-specific plans provide detailed descriptions

of each site, identify threatening processes and make recommendations for management of these sites.

The plans will be finalised by the end of 1999, along with an overview of existing public education

programs and interpretive materials, and development of extension strategies.

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3.3 A management Strategy and Protected Areas System for Northern Territory’s Coastal

Wildlife

The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory are currently preparing nominations of

five sites to the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network. The nominations will be based on

jointly-funded survey work aimed at preparing an inventory of coastal wildlife.

3.4 Managing visitation to seabird breeding islands

Following a 1993 National Seabird Workshop, The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and

Environment Australia-Biodiversity Group commissioned the preparation of national guidelines to

manage human visitation to seabird breeding islands. The Guidelines were published in 1997 and

comprise a comprehensive review of the various sources of threat to breeding seabirds, and proposes

strategies for alleviating those threats.

3.5 Sponsored Subscriptions to The Stil t and The Tattler.

Environment Australia is continuing to provide funding to the Australasian Wader Studies Group to

enable subsidised subscriptions to The Stilt and The Tattler as a means of improving the

communication of information on shorebirds in the region. The program will target around 100 wetlandreserve managers, researchers and Government personnel in the Asia-Pacific region.

3.6 New South Wales Management Activities

New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service is actively managing wetland reserves for

migratory wading birds. These include Kooragang Nature Reserve and Towra Point. As well, the

Service is involved with partnerships in these areas aimed at better management of wading bird habitat.

This particularly includes Kooragang Island and the rehabilitation of wetland areas. In addition to

management of coastal habitat, the NSW Government is actively managing all wetland areas and the

rivers they depend on through the NSW Government water reform. This includes development of river

flow objectives for all rivers in NSW. These objectives include a commitment to wetlands and estuaries. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is also actively managing inland wetlands for waterbirds,

including migratory wading birds. These include the Macquarie Marshes and the Paroo River wetlands.

Aerial surveys of waterbirds across eastern Australia also provide valuable ongoing data for the

management of migratory wading birds.

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service continues to actively manage a number of

Little Tern colonies along the NSW coast in conjunction with members of the local communities. The

NSW NPWS is currently undertaking a project to identify and monitor critical shorebird sites in Botany

Bay. This project, "the Botany Bay Shorebird Action Plan", is being undertaken with financialassistance made available through the National Wetlands Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.

4. COMMONWEALTH PROGRAMS

4.1 Natural Heritage Trust

The National Heritage Trust was established in 1997 as a AU$ 1.25 billion funding package with the

objectives of conserving, repairing and replenishing Australia’s natural vegetation, riverine, biodiversity,

land, and coastal resources. It is delivered on key principles of:

• developing partnerships across government agencies, between tiers of government, and between

governments, industry and the community;• acceptance that sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation have complementary goals;

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• integrated approaches to land, water, vegetation and biodiversity issues, especially at a catchment

or regional scale;

• tackling the causes of environmental degradation rather than the symptoms; and

• a strong emphasis on community participation in setting priorities and implementing works on the

ground.

Resources for the National Wetlands Program are provided through the Natural Heritage Trust.

4.2 National Wetlands Program (Migratory Waterbird Program)

The National Wetlands Program was established in 1989 in response to growing concern for wetland

conservation in Australia. Its establishment recognised the need to act more strategically and

cooperatively with State and Territory Governments in implementing Australia’s obligations under the

Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) and the Japan-Australia and China-Australia Migratory

Bird Agreements (JAMBA and CAMBA respectively). The National Wetlands Program now

incorporates the Migratory Waterbird Program.

The primary focus of the National Wetlands Program is on• supporting site inventory work

• development of management plans for Australia’s Ramsar-listed wetlands

• promotion of a national approach to wetlands conservation and

• encouraging community participation in the management, repair and wise use of wetlands.

Priorities for the National Wetlands Program are drawn from:

• The Wetlands Policy of the Commonwealth Government of Australia and implementation plan;

• Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 1997-2002; and

• Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy 1996-2000

• Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Shorebirds in Asia Pacific 1998-2000

1997-98

In 1997/98, the National Wetlands Program provided around $1.65m of funding to Commonwealth

projects, community groups and State/Territory agencies, focussing particularly on:

- management planning for Ramsar sites;

- survey and inventory work to identify further wetlands for a national inventory;

- work to nominate new Ramsar sites;

- community based on-ground projects;

- the development of State wetland policies to complement the Commonwealth’s Wetlands Policy;

- the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network;- Pacific Islands Ramsar Liaison Officer;

- implementation of the Commonwealth Wetlands Policy;

- the National Wetlands Research and Development Program, and

- community education and awareness raising.

1998-99

In 1998/99, the National Wetlands Program undertook a number of activities in preparation for the 7th

Conference of Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, which was held in Costa Rica in

May 1999.

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The National Wetlands Program continued to support community, State and local government activities

under the Natural Heritage Trust, with over $1.2 million allocated to 36 new wetlands projects in

1998/1999. Key outcomes for the program included:

- a further 10 management plans released as drafts or final plans for Australia’s Ramsar sites;

- State wetland policies in place for four of the seven States and Territories, complementary to the

Commonwealth’s Wetlands Policy. Three additional policies are in preparation, two of which have

received Commonwealth funding support;

- the nomination of four new Australian Ramsar sites to the Ramsar Convention (the Gwydir

Wetlands, the Great Sandy Strait, Myall Lakes and Narran Lake Nature Reserve) and substantial

progress was made on the nomination of an additional seven sites;

- three year extension to the Wetlands International contract supporting the East Asian Australasian

Shorebird Site Network and Pacific Islands Ramsar Liaison Officer;

- implementation of the Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Shorebirds 1998-2000;

- establishment of a contract with the Northern Territory University to deliver the Asia-Pacific

Wetland Managers Training Program;

- implementation plan for the Commonwealth Wetlands Policy completed and underway; and- actions to implement and support Ramsar and migratory bird obligations under the new

Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

1999-2000

A further $971,117 has been allocated to 20 new and continuing community, State and local

government projects for 1999/2000.

More details are provided elsewhere in this report on relevant projects funded under the National

Wetlands Program.

4.3 Commonwealth Wetlands Policy

The Wetlands Policy of the Commonwealth Government of Australia was launched in 1997 to

promote the conservation, repair, and wise use of wetlands, and to incorporate the conservation of

wetlands into the daily business of the Commonwealth Government.

Initiatives outlined in the Policy are already being implemented with funding from the National Wetlands

Program. In September 1999, the Implementation Plan for the Wetlands Policy of the

Commonwealth Government of Australia was released. The Plan identifies specific actions,

timeframes, responsibilities, and performance indicators against each of the strategies of the Policy.

4.4 Threatened Species and Communities Program

The Endangered Species Program aims to prevent further extinctions of Australian fauna and flora, and

to restore endangered species and ecological communities to a secure status in the wild. The program

addresses the problem of species decline in Australia in the following three ways:

• identifying those species and communities which are threatened, and the processes which threaten

them;

• establishing management programs to ensure the conservation of threatened species and

communities, and to ameliorate the processes which threaten them; and

• educating and generating public support for management action.

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The Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (the Act) was established in 1992 to assist in meeting

these objectives.

Funding for the Endangered Species Program is provided by the Commonwealth Government’s Natural

Heritage Trust. The Act and the Endangered Species Program are administered by the Threatened

Species and Communities Section of the Biodiversity Group of Environment Australia. Significant

achievements are described in more detail below.

4.4.1 Listing of nationally threatened species and Key Threatening Processes

The Endangered Species Scientific Subcommittee provides advice to the Commonwealth Minister for

the Environment on amendments that should be made to Schedule 1 (endangered, vulnerable and

presumed extinct species), Schedule 2 (endangered ecological communities), and Schedule 3 (key

threatening processes) of the Act.

Since 1997, the Endangered Species Scientific Subcommittee considered public nominations that eight

bird species or subspecies be listed on Schedule 1 of the Act and undertook its own review of the

status of two groups, the albatross and the birds of Norfolk Island. Subsequently, the Subcommittee provided advice to the Minister that eight species should be added to the list of Endangered species,

fourteen species should be added to the list of Vulnerable species and that two species should be added

to the list of extinct species.

The Minister accepted these recommendations, and the Schedules to the Act have been changed. The

two extinct species are the Norfolk Island Thrush and the Norfolk Island Silvereye. The eight new

Endangered species include Tristan Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Amsterdam Albatross,

Chatham Albatross, Southern Cassowary, Christmas Island Goshawk, Eastern Bristlebird, and the

Swift Parrot

The fourteen additional Vulnerable species include the Heard island Shag, Wandering Albatross,Antipodean Albatross, Gibson’s Albatross, Southern Royal Albatross, Campbell Albatross, Buller’s

Albatross, Pacific Albatross, Shy Albatross, White-capped Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Indian

Yellow-nosed Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, and Sooty Albatross.

The legal capacity to list endangered ecological communities, which often include very specialised

habitat for a range of species, including birds, has been achieved since the last report. Although only five

ecological communities are currently listed, a further 38 are currently being considered for addition to

Schedule 2 of the Act.

4.4.2 Action to identify and address nationally threatened species and ecological communitiesA structured approach is applied to the identification of endangered species and communities, the

processes that threaten them, and the development of recovery priorities. This is reflected in the

Conservation of Australian Species and Ecological Communities - the National Strategy that was

endorsed by the Environment Ministers of the Commonwealth and all States and Territories and was

adopted as an ANZECC strategy in 1998.

4.4.3 Action Plans

The Endangered Species Program has also prepared Action Plans for each major taxa group. An

Action Plan includes recommended conservation status, threats, and management actions for each

species regarded as threatened. The first Action Plan for Australian Birds was published in 1992,

and is currently being revised. The revised Action Plan is scheduled to be completed by end-December

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1999. It is planned to publish this plan on the World Wide Web and to investigate options for keeping

that version up to date as the status of species changes over time.

4.4.4 Development of Recovery Plans

Recovery Plans are required to be prepared for all species listed as Endangered or Vulnerable under

the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992, including the 96 nationally threatened bird species.

Nine Recovery Plans have been either adopted or approved by the Minister under the Act for birdspecies, ten are in the late stages of adoption and a further 48 bird plans are either prepared or in

preparation. The majority of these plans are being implemented, many with the funding assistance of the

Endangered Species Program, which is part of the Natural Heritage Trust.

4.4.5 Development of Threat Abatement Plans

A nationally coordinated Threat Abatement Plan was adopted by the Minister in 1998 to address the

“Incidental capture (or bycatch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations”, which is listed as

a key Threatening Process on Schedule 3 of the Act. This Plan is now being implemented cooperatively

with the nation’s fishing industry and addresses actions on the longline fishing threatening process.

4.4.6 Education, Community Awareness and Involvement

Education, public awareness and community involvement in conservation activities for threatened

species and ecological communities are an integral part of the Endangered Species Program, especially

of the Recovery Plan process. Contributions made to Recovery Plans by community groups are

substantial. In some cases, recovery action could not be achieved without such support, particularly

ongoing community involvement, cooperation and commitment.

The National Threatened Species Network provides an important link between government agencies,

politicians, environmental, rural and other community groups, industry groups, educators, scientists, the

media and others on the conservation of threatened species and ecological communities. The World

Wide Fund for Nature coordinates the Network under contract to the Biodiversity Group of

Environment Australia. The Network now distributes over a million dollars of grants per annum on

behalf of the Natural Heritage Trust’s Endangered Species Program, mainly focussed on supporting the

role of community groups in their threatened species recovery efforts.

4.4.7 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

New legislation will replace the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 and six other acts when it

comes into force in July 2000. Among the many changes encompassed by this new Act, the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, is the provision for new

categories of listing for species and ecological communities (reflecting current IUCN categories) and

triggering of Commonwealth approval requirements wheneever nationally threatened species or species

listed under JAMBA or CAMBA are significantly impacted by a proposed development (regardless of

tenure).

4.5 Commonwealth Legislation

In 1999 the Commonwealth of Australia passed the Environment Protection and Biodiversity

Conservation Act 1999. Due to come into effect on 16 July 2000 the Act will replace five existing

pieces of Commonwealth legislation. The Act will deliver stronger protection for the environment, moreconsistent national environmental standards, more efficient environmental assessment and approval

processes, and a reduction in government duplication.

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For the first time migratory species will be specifically covered under Commonwealth legislation, with

species listed under the JAMBA and CAMBA Agreements to be included as schedules to the Act.

All actions which are likely to impact on such species are subject to environmental assessment and

approval. This places Australia in a stronger position to met its international obligations for the

protection and management of migratory birds listed under the JAMBA and CAMBA Agreements.

5. TRAINING

5.1 Development of shorebird management expertise in China

Following on from training provided in 1996, Environment Australia has funded further training activities

in China in 1997, 1998 and 1999. The training has been coordinated by Wetlands International –

Oceania and the Wetlands International China Office, and has been delivered by shorebird specialists

from the Australasian Wader Studies Group. Training has been directed at site management staff in

areas of particular significance to migratory shorebirds, including Chongming Dao, Yalu Jiang Nature

Reserve, Linghekou (proposed Provincial Reserve), Dalai Hu Nature Reserve, Huang He NatureReserve, and Shuangtaizihekou National Nature Reserve.

5.2 Development of policy expertise in China

In 1998, an officer from China’s Ministry of Forestry was seconded for three months to work with the

Wetlands Unit-Environment Australia and Wetlands International-Oceania. Emphasis during the

secondment was placed on wetland conservation planning and management, policy, and project

management, and the participation of non-governmental organisations in Australia. The program

comprised office based research as well as site visits and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders.

5.3 Conservation of shorebird habitat in South KoreaThe Forestry Administration, Republic of Korea, requested Australian assistance in preparing a national

overview of wetlands of importance to migratory shorebirds, and in developing specialist research

techniques to enhance South Korea’s participation in international shorebird migration research. An

Australian team visited South Korea in 1999, as a result of which, the South Korean Government is

preparing for publication an inventory of wetlands of importance to migratory shorebirds. The report is

expected by the end of 1999.

5.4 Development of an Asia-Pacific Wetland Managers’ Training Program

The Asia Pacific Wetlands Managers’ Training Program. aims to provide a suitable training program to

in an aimed at ecologically sustainable way. As a response to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands andits Strategic Plan 1997-2002 Australia has contracted the Northern Territory University to provide an

Asia-Pacific Wetland Managers Training Program, aimed at equipping people from Australia and the

Asia-Pacific region with skills to manage tropical wetlands. The training program will build on existing

tropical wetland management, ensuring that Australia continues to advance its expertise in the

protection, conservation and understanding of tropical wetlands. The program will facilitate access by

wetland management officials from the Asia-Pacific Region, with the first courses to be offered in early

2000.

6. THE AUSTRALIAN BIRD AND BAT BANDING SCHEME

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The CSIRO officially established the Australian Bird Banding Scheme in 1953 as a technical service

providing a uniform, nationwide banding scheme. The Australian Bat Banding Scheme was added in

1960. In 1984 responsibility for the two schemes was passed as the Australian Bird and Bat Banding

Scheme (ABBBS) to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service (now the Biodiversity Group of

Environment Australia).

The ABBBS coordinates training and accreditation for researchers who wish to undertake banding in

Australia. Currently there are some 700 accredited banders and banding groups operating in Australia.

The ABBBS has also traditionally supported scientists in the SE Asian region who are conducting

research in countries that do not have a banding scheme. Such support is provided with the agreement

of the countries involved. Five banding projects in Papua New Guinea and one in the Philippines are

currently supported by the ABBBS.

Around 1.5 million banding and recovery records generated since 1984 are now stored on computer,

enabling sophisticated analysis and effective response to requests for data. Data accumulated over

more than 40 years are available to government and the research community. Earlier banding data

totalling about 1.6 million records are retained as paper records.

Some interesting recoveries reported in 1996-97 include the following:

Longevity

• Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus, 161-31447. Banded at Muttonbird Island, Coffs

Harbour, NSW, by Bill Lane. Resighted near banding site on 5.12.96, 21y 0m 1d after banding.

The oldest known bird of this species.

• Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans. Four birds, originally banded at sea off the NSW coast,

were recaptured in the 1996-97 year at Adams Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand, at intervalsranging from 30 to 32 years since banding.

• Red Knot, Calidris canutus, 051-08574. Banded at Swan Island, Queenscliff, Vic, on 5.4.81, by

Victorian Wader Study Group. Trapped, later released at Miranda, Firth of Thames, New

Zealand, on 20.10.96, 15y 6m 15d after banding.

• Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea, 040-93386. Banded at Werribee Sewerage Farm, on

6.11.78, by the Victorian Wader Study Group. Retrapped at Werribee Sewerage Farm, on

27.12.96, 18y 1m 21d after banding. The oldest known bird of this species to date.

Long distance movements

• Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica, 072-32968. Banded at Beaches Crab Ck Road, Roebuck

Bay, Broome, WA, on 5.10.93, by Australasian Wader Study Group. Shot for sport/food at

Momskiy Ulus, Kulun-Elbyut, Russia, on 31.5.97. Distance 9572 km.

• Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica, 072-57398. Banded at Amity Point Sandspit, North

Stradbroke, Qld, on 20.796, by Queensland Wader Study Group. Shot for sport/food at St

George Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA, on 28.5.97. Distance 9967 km, 10m 8d after

banding.

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• Great Knot, Calidris tenuirostris, P9-52069. Banded at Balaganchik River (Anadyr Dist), NE

Siberia, on 2.7.95, by members of the Russian Banding Scheme. Trapped with cannon net at

Beaches Crab Ck Road, Roebuck Bay, Broome, WA, on 13.9.96. Distance 10011 km.

• Red Knot, Calidris canutus, 43-63204. Banded at Faddeyevsky Island, New Siberia Island,

Russia, on 10.7.94, by members of the Russian Banding Scheme. Colour mark sighting at Beaches

Crab Ck Road, Roebuck Bay, Broome, WA, on 20.9.96. Distance 10505 km.

• Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis, Orange Leg Flagged. Banded at Southern Victoria, Vic,

since 1990, by Victorian Wader Study Group. Colour mark sighted at Jez. Bajkal, Pankowka,

Rosja, Irkutsk, on 26.7.96. Distance 10652 km.

• Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea, 041-90103. Banded at Stockyard Point, Lang Lang,

Westernport, Vic, on 11.12.94, by Victorian Wader Study Group. Shot dead for sport/food at

Yakutia, Verkhoyanskiy Dist, Russia, on 2.6.97. Distance 11812 km.

• Little Tern, Sterna albifrons, 041-91585. Banded at Albifrons Island, Ocean Grange Lakes NP,Vic, on 26.1.96, by Victorian Wader Study Group. Colour mark sighted at Gan-No-Su, Higashi-

Ku, Fukuoka-Shi, Japan, on 3.1.97. Distance 8162 km.

• Little Tern, Sterna albifrons, 3B-36728. Banded at Fuji River mouth, Japan, on 10.7.93, by

Japan BMRC. Trapped and released at Albifrons Island, Ocean Grange Lakes NP, Vic, on

24.1.97. Distance 8177 km.

The following tables provide information about banding and leg flagging for the period July 1953 to June

1999.

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Table 1. Summary of bird recoveries between Australia and Japan/China (bands and colour flags)

Species

listed under

J=JAMBA

C=CAMBA

Number of

birds bande d

Total number

of birds

band ed

Total band recoveries 1953-1999

Total flags reported 1990-1999

SPECIES July 1996-

Sept 1999

1953-99

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Northern Shoveler J C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Garganey J C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Providence Petrel J 0 1099 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Streaked Shearwater J C 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Wedge-Tailed Shearwater J 1094 76035 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Flesh-footed Shearwater J 1 14151 19 0 1 0 0 0 0

Sooty Shearwater J C 4 348 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Short-tailed Shearwater J 4153 105294 23 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wandering Albatross J 60 5660 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wilson's Storm-Petrel J 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Leach's Storm-Petrel J C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-tailed Tropicbird J C 0 94 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Masked Booby J 444 15948 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-footed Booby J C 5 1742 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Brown Booby J C 315 7784 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Great Frigatebird J C 0 423 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Lesser Frigatebird J C 0 1274 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Christmas Frigatebird C 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Eastern Reef Egret C 0 403 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Great Egret J C 7 1060 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cattle Egret J C 187 20410 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Yellow Bittern C 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Glossy Ibis C 0 1413 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-bellied Sea-Eagle C 2 192 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sarus Crane C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-legged Crake C 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Corn Crake C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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Species

listed under

J=JAMBA

C=CAMBA

Number of

birds bande d

Total number

of birds

band ed



SPECIES July 1996-

Sept 1999

1953-99

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Latham's Snipe J C 209 1038 2 5 0 0 0 0 0

Pin-tailed Snipe J C 1 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Swinhoe's Snipe J C 0 76 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Black-tailed Godwit J C 45 516 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Bar-tailed Godwit J C 494 11597 39 1 46 0 38 1 10

Little Curlew J C 0 508 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Whimbrel J C 17 366 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

Eurasian Curlew C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Eastern Curlew J C 99 961 20 0 2 0 19 0 0

Common Redshank C 0 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Marsh Sandpiper J C 0 455 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Common Greenshank J C 242 745 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wood Sandpiper J C 1 57 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Terek Sandpiper J C 12 4363 1 3 4 0 0 0 0

Common Sandpiper J C 1 356 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Grey-tailed Tattler J C 126 3934 27 10 3 0 20 1 0

Wandering Tattler J 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ruddy Turnstone J C 588 2806 8 2 1 0 8 1 0

Asian Dowitcher J C 2 62 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Great Knot J C 727 10580 10 0 102 0 10 0 3

Red Knot J C 537 7266 1 5 22 0 1 4 1 Sanderling J C 484 1234 27 0 1 0 27 0 1

Red-necked Stint J C 8639 87790 18 6 21 0 16 2 0

Western Sandpiper J 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Long-toed Stint J C 1 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Baird's Sandpiper J 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pectoral Sandpiper J 7 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper J C 496 10426 0 0 6 0 0 0 0

Dunlin C 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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Species

listed under

J=JAMBA

C=CAMBA

Number of

birds bande d

Total number

of birds

band ed



SPECIES July 1996-

Sept 1999

1953-99

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Curlew Sandpiper J C 1767 32217 1 0 28 0 1 0 0

Buff-breasted Sandpiper J 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Broad-billed Sandpiper J C 21 1176 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

Ruff J C 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-necked Phalarope J C 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Grey Phalarope J C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Painted Snipe C 0 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pheasant-tailed Jacana C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pacific Golden Plover J 57 759 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Grey Plover J C 48 360 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ringed Plover J C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Little Ringed Plover C 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Lesser Sand Plover J C 35 1081 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Greater Sand Plover J C 62 5558 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Caspian Plover C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Oriental Plover J 0 146 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Oriental Pratincole J C 0 821 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

South Polar Skua J 1 837 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pomarine Jaeger J C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Arctic Jaeger J 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Long-tailed Jaeger J 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caspian Tern J C 117 3799 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Lesser Crested Tern C 97 333 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Black-naped Tern J C 0 645 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Common Tern J C 542 2491 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

Little Tern J C 886 3683 6 4 0 0 0 2 0

Bridled Tern J C 802 7380 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-winged Black Tern J C 14 48 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Black Tern J C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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Species

listed under

J=JAMBA

C=CAMBA

Number of

birds bande d

Total number

of birds

band ed



SPECIES July 1996-

Sept 1999

1953-99

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Australia

to Japan

Japan to

Australia

Australia

to China

China to

Australia

Common Noddy J C 835 3131 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Oriental Cuckoo J C 3 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-throated Needletail J C 0 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fork-tailed Swift J C 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Rainbow Bee-eater J 56 1978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Yellow Wagtail J C 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Citrine Wagtail C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Grey Wagtail C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White Wagtail C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Barn Swallow J C 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Striated Swallow C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Oriental Reed-Warbler C 1 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Arctic Warbler C 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals 24,350 465,351

Table 2. Summary of “species of special interest” banded and recovered under the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme during the period 1953-99.

Species

Birds

band ed

Birds

recovered

Within

Australia

Outside

Australia

Total

Wandering

Albatross

5660 1828 821 2649

Grey-tailed Tattler 3934 534 31 565

Eastern Curlew 761 46 40 86

Red-necked Stint 87790 20096 122 20218

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Great Knot 10580 9577 151 728

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Table 3. Banding projects operating during 1996-99, relevant to JAMBA/CAMBA

FAMILY/GROUP

Researcher

Project title

PROCELLARIIDAE

Mr RG Cameron Cape Woolamai - Shearwater Banding

Mr PB Du Guesclin Short-tailed Shearwater

Dr JN Dunlop Integrated monitoring of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters on the North-west Shelf

Dr PAM Dyer Breeding Ecology of Wedgetailed Shearwaters in the Capricorn Group, GBR

French Is Muttonbird

Reserve

Population Dynamics and Telemetry Studies on Shearwaters of French Island, Vic

Dr PJ Fullagar Population Dynamics of Shearwaters

A/Prof N Klomp Breeding biology and feeding biology of the Providence Petrel on Lord Howe Is

A/Prof N Klomp Breeding ecology and management of shearwaters in southern NSW and northern Vic

Dr IJ Skira Biology of Short-tailed Shearwaters

Southern Ocean

Seabird Study Group

SOSSA NSW Seabird Study (Petrels and Shearwaters)

Ms NM Swanson Wedgetailed Shearwaters – Mutton Bird & Solitary Islands, Coffs Harbour

Dr JA Van Franeker Individual quality in Antarctic Fulmarine Petrels: factors governing reproductive success

Dr E Woehler Foraging ecology of Short-tailed Shearwaters

Dr RD Wooller The population dynamics of Short-tailed Shearwaters on Great Dog Island, Tasmania

DIOMEDEIDAE

Southern Ocean

Seabird Study Group

NSW Mollymawk Study

Southern Ocean

Seabird Study Group

NSW Wandering Albatross Study

Mr MH Waterman South Australian Albatross Study

SULIDAE

ANPWS Coral Sea

Project

Monitoring of nest use by Red-footed Boobies on North-East Herald Cay

Mrs MJ McCoy Movements of Boobies and Gannets through the Pacific region

Mr DG Nicholls Masked Boobies of Lord Howe IslandARDEIDAE

Mr N A Hamilton reproductive biology and temporal distribution of an egret and heron colony within the

Perth Zoo

Dr NG McKilligan Ecology & Behaviour of Australian Egrets, Lockyer Valley QLD

Mr RW Sonnenburg Project Egret Watch (Sonnenburg/Maddock)

Mr JT Willows Ecological Study of Wetland Birds

ACCIPITRIDAE

Mr J Wiersma Fidelity of White-bellied Sea-Eagles to nest sites

SCOLOPACIDAE

Mr P F Battley Migratory ecology of Great Knots

LARIDAE

Dr JN Dunlop Population biology of extra-limital colonies of the Common Noddy and Sooty TernsDr JN Dunlop Population biology of Bridled Terns and other seabirds on Penguin Is.

Mr RE Johnstone Breeding Biology of the Bridled Tern

Dr MJ Lewis Impact of recreational users on seabirds of the GBR

Mrs M L Mitchell Breeding site, feeding territories and dispersal in Caspian Terns, WA

NSW NPWS Seabird

Project

Little Tern Monitoring

Dr CA Surman Population Biology of Seabirds on Pelsaert Island, Houtman Abrolhos, WA

MEROPIDAE

Mr C Boland Breeding biology and sexual selection in Rainbow Bee-eaters

WADERS

Australasian Wader

Study Group

Establishing age of migratory waders in NW Australia during the Austral winter

Australasian Wader

Study Group

Studies of Waders & Terns throughout Australia & Asia

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FAMILY/GROUP

Researcher

Project title

Mr GP Clancy North Coast Wader and Tern Banding Survey

Mr JW Hardy Lathams Snipe & Other Waders in Inland Waters - McGraths Hill, Pitt Town, Rich

Mr R Johnson Demographics and movements of Lathams Snipe and other waders on freshwater swamps

in southern Queensland

Mr WL Klau Wader Movement, northern Spencers Gulf

Mr KR Mills Study of waders at Broome Sewerage Works

Mr AK Morris Chittaway Point Wader and Heron Survey NSW NPWS Seabird

Project

Botany Bay Shorebird Action Plan

NSW Wader Study

Group

Charadriiformes

QLD Wader Study

Group

Monitoring of wader populations and movements in Queensland

Dr VW Smith Wader Studies - Albany (WA) area

Victorian Wader

Study Group

A Comprehensive Study of Waders & Terns in Victoria

WA Wader Study

Group

Waders on the Swan Estuary and nearby - Movements & Population Dynamics

Mr DJ Watson Migration of Waders through Moreton Bay

SEABIRDS

Mr NP Brothers Population monitoring of Albatrosses and Petrels on Macquarie Island

Mr NP Brothers Seabird Studies

Ms L W Nicholson An ecological study of the seabird communities of the Lowendal Islands, WA

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7.. RELATED INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

7.1 Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Shorebirds in Asia-Pacific 1998-2000

As part of Australia’s implementation of the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy

1996-2000, Environment Australian engaged Wetlands International in a three year contract to develop

the Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Shorebirds in Asia-Pacific. Completed in 1998, the

Action Plan provides outlines a range of priority activities to be undertaken in the region for the

conservation of migratory shorebirds. Environment Australia is providing funding totalling AU$ 900,000

over the years 1998-1999, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 for implementation of the Action Plan.

Much of the implementation is carried out by the Shorebird Flyway Officer, provided under contract

between Wetlands International-Oceania and Environment Australia. Key aspects of the

implementation of the Action plan include:

• expanding the Shorebird Site Network from 19 to 25 sites. New sites were from South Korea

(Tonging Estuary), Japan (Manko), China (Chongming Dontan, Yalu Jiang and Yancheng

Biosphere Reserve) and Papua New Guinea (Tonda Wildlife Area). All 25 sites are shown in

Table 4 below.

Table 4 Sites comprising the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network (July 1999)

Site No Network Sites Country Area

1 Moroshechnaya Estuary Russian Federation 219,000

21 Tonggin River Lagoon and mudflat Republic of Korea 810

2 Yatsu tidal flats Japan 40

3 Yoshino Estuary Japan 500

22 Manko Japan 58

24 Yalu Jiang Nature Reserve China 108,057

4 Shuangtaihekou National Nature Reserve China 80,000

5 Huanghe National Nature Reserve China 153,000

25 Yancheng Biosphere Reserve China 453,000

23 Chongming Dongtan China 100,000

6 Mai Po - Inner Deep Bay Ramsar site China 1,513

7 Olango Island Philippines 5,800

8 Wasur Game Reserve Indonesia 308,000

20 Tonda Wildlife Reserve Papua New Guinea 590,000

9 Kakadu National Park Australia (NT) 1,375,940

10 Parry Lagoons Australia (WA) 36,111

11 Thomsons Lake Australia (WA) 213

12 Moreton Bay Australia (Qld) 113,314

13 Kooragang Nature Reserve Australia (NSW) 2,916

14 Corner Inlet Australia (VIC) 51,500

15 The Coorong Australia (SA) 140,500

16 Orielton Lagoon Australia (Tas) 2,92017 Logan Lagoon Australia (Tas) 2,320

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18 Firth of Thames New Zealand 7,800

19 Farewell Spit New Zealand 11,388

Totals 25 sites 9 countries 3,138,589 ha

• promoting broader participation in the Network, targeting the USA, Mongolia, Singapore,

Bangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam

• encouraging the nomination of additional sites in Russia, Japan, China, Australia

• training activities for shorebird management in China, Mongolia, Russia, South Korea, Papua NewGuinea

• sponsoring the participation of South Korean biologists in shorebird migration studies at Roebuck

Bay and Eighty Mile Beach

• secondment of an officer from the Chinese State Forestry Administration, for 10 weeks to work in

Australia with WI-Oceania and Environment Australia on shorebird and wetland policy and

management issues

• site dedication for Yoshino Estuary (Japan)

• development of a communication strategy of the Action Plan

• commencement of a project to develop improved methods for monitoring migratory shorebird

populationssupport for a shorebird survey project at the Moroshechnaya Network Site and other parts of the

Sea of Okhotsk in Russia

• development and funding for a project to identify important sites for shorebirds in the Philippines.

• promotion of banding, particularly colour flagging studies of shorebirds

7.2 The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

7.2.1 Seventh meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention of Wetlands of International

Importance, San Jose, Costa Rica, 1999

Australia sponsored Recommendation 7.3 of the 7th Conference of Parties to the Convention on

Wetlands in May 1999. The Recommendation called for greater multilateral cooperation on the

conservation of migratory waterbirds in the Asia-Pacific region. Its successful adoption has encouraged

consideration of an agreement or other arrangements to secure a long-term conservation framework for

migratory waterbirds and their habitats which is inclusive of all Asia-Pacific countries.

Australia also supported Resolution 7.22, which draws attention to the critical situation facing intertidal

wetlands in many regions of the world, and urges Contracting Parties to undertake actions to conserve

intertidal wetlands.

7.2.2 New Sites Added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

Australia designated an additional four sites to the List of Wetlands of International Importance since

1997, taking the national total to 53 sites. The new sites are the Gwydir Wetlands, the Great Sandy

Strait, Myall Lakes, and Narran Lake Nature Reserve.

The Gwydir Wetlands is the first voluntary nomination on private land in Australia. The wetlands

provide breeding and feeding grounds for very large numbers of colonial water bird species (around

500,000 in 1998). Thirteen species listed under JAMBA and ten species under CAMBA are also

found in the wetlands which include Cattle Egret* ( Ardeola ibis), Great Egret* ( Ardea alba), GlossyIbis ( Plegadis falcinellus), Painted Snipe* ( Rostratula benghlaensis), Greenshank (Tringa

nebularia), Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata),

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Black Tern (Chlidonias niger ), Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo),

White-throated Needletail ( Hirundapus caudactus), Fork-tailed Swift ( Aspus pacificus), Barn

Swallow ( Hirundo rustica) and Rainbow Bee-eater* ( Merops ornatus)

*Those marked with an asterisk have been observed breeding in the wetland.

The Great Sandy Strait is an important feeding ground for a wide range of shorebirds, waterfowl and

seabirds. In particular, the coastal wetlands of the Strait are of international significance to 18 species of

migratory shorebirds designated under JAMBA and CAMBA. The total population of shorebirds in

Great Sandy Strait during summer 1990 was estimated at between 30 000 and 40 000. The region

regularly supports more than 1% of the total flyway (or world) population of the following species:

• Eastern Curlew Numenius madascariensis (19.6% )

• Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes (16.2%)

• Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus (5.5%)

• Terek Sandpiper Tringa cinerea (5.0%)

• Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (3.8%)

• Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponnica (3.7%)• Greenshank Tringa nebularia (2.6%)

• Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (1.6%).

There is evidence that the Strait is of critical importance for non-breeding yearling birds that do not

return to the northern hemisphere until the following year.

Myall Lakes regularly supports large numbers of waterbirds including the following species covered

under JAMBA and CAMBA:

• Wedge-tailed Shearwater ( Puffinus pacificus)

• Flesh-footed Shearwater ( Puffinus carneipes)• Short-tailed Shearwater ( Puffinus tenuirostris)

• Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)

• Brown Bobby (Sula leucogaster)

• Great Egret ( Ardea alba)

• Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus)

• Eastern Curlew ( Numenius madagascariensis)

• Little Tern (Sterna albifrons)

• White-throated Needletail ( Hirundapus caudacutus)

• Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)

• Eastern Reef Egret ( Egretta sacra)• White-bellied Sea-Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Narran Lake Nature Reserve is internationally significant for waterbird breeding and as habitat for a

number of species listed under JAMBA and CAMBA. The large numbers of Black-winged Stilts

( Himantopus himantopus), Red-necked Avocets ( Recurvirostra novaehollandiae), Marsh

Sandpiper (Tringa staganatilis), Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) and Red-kneed

Dotterel ( Erythrogonys cinctus) recorded in Narran Lake wetlands suggests that these wetlands may

be of international importance for these species.

Third Edition of A Dir ectory of Important Wetlands in Austral ia

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A 3rd edition of A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia is scheduled for release in 1999. A

total of $340,000 was allocated in 1998-99 to conduct surveys to identify important wetlands or to

update State and Territory chapters of the second edition of the Directory.

7.2.3 Management Plans for Ramsar Sites

In 1999, draft or final management plans were prepared for Esperance Lakes (Western Australian) the

Coorong (South Australia) Towra Point, (New South Wales), Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve and PittWater/Orielton Lagoon (Tasmania) and Currawinya Lakes (Queensland). Australia has management

plans being prepared, or being implemented for 43 of its 53 Ramsar sites.

7.3 Development of a multilateral framework

For some years now there has been acceptance in the region of the need for a government-to-

government multilateral framework for the conservation of migratory waterbirds. The Kushiro

Statement, which emerged from the 1994 workshop Conservation of migratory waterbirds and

their wetland habitats in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, called for a “legally-binding,

multilateral agreement”. Similar calls for greater multilateral cooperation were contained in

Recommendations 6.4 and 7.3 of the Ramsar Conferences of Parties.

Australia now intends to progress the concept of a multilateral agreement for migratory waterbird

conservation in the Asia Pacific region, with formal negotiations likely to commence in 2000.

7.4 Post-2000 Strategy

The Asia Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy 1996-2000 has been strongly

supported by Australia and Japan and has also stimulated considerable interest among other countries of

the region in a multilateral approach to the conservation of migratory waterbirds. Eleven countries are

now involved in site networks under the Strategy and the emphasis on site networks and action plans

has been a major factor in the success of the Strategy.

Despite positive moves towards a formal, government-level agreement, it is unlikely that such an

agreement will be implemented in the immediate future. Accordingly Australia has supported the

development of a post-2000 strategy. A major first step in this process was a review of the current

strategy, carried out by David Stroud during 1999. It is hoped to finalise a strategy for the period

2001-2005 before the end of 2000.

7.5 Site Twinning

Negotiations regarding site twinning of Boondall Wetlands and Yatsu Tidal Flats were completed

successfully by the Mayor of Brisbane City and the Mayor of Narashino City. A five-year Action Planhas been developed and is being implemented.

7.6 Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, otherwise known as

CMS or the Bonn Convention, provides a framework for enhancing the conservation status of migratory

species through the cooperative efforts of the range states of those populations. Australia acceded to

the Bonn Convention on 1 September 1991. There are currently 65 Contracting Parties to the

Convention. The Convention is implemented in Australia through existing State, Territory and

Commonwealth legislation. Coordination of activities related to the Convention takes place through a

network of members of ANZECC agencies of the Commonwealth, States and Territories. The

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Biodiversity Group of Environment Australia provides overall administration of the Convention in

Australia.

Australia was successful in listing the eleven species of albatross found in the southern hemisphere on the

appendices of the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

The listing of these albatross species to the CMS opened the way to develop an agreement under

Article IV of the Convention. Australia believes that an agreement under the Convention is the most

accessible mechanism to achieve global coordination of albatross conservation efforts.

Australia proposed that the Temperate Southern Hemisphere Countries (known as the Valdivia Group)

endeavour to develop an agreement in cooperation with other southern hemisphere albatross range

states. Members of the Valdivia Group are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Chile, South

Africa and Uruguay. The Valdivia Group was considered to be ideally placed to initially progress the

global conservation of albatrosses. The Valdivia Group Coordinating Committee met in Wellington,

New Zealand 24-25 June 1998 and considered Australia’s proposal. The meeting expressed

unanimous support for the proposal and an ad-hoc working group was formed to examine options for

regional cooperation. The first meeting of the working group was held in June 1999.

7.7 The Cites Convention

Controls under the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982

Under the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982 species of birds which

form part of the agreements under JAMBA or CAMBA are recognised as native Australian animals.

Permission is required to export live native Australian animals. Permits to export live native Australian

birds (including viable eggs) and other live native animals may be granted only where the export is:

• an approved zoological gardens transfer between approved zoos;

• for the purposes of prescribed scientific research carried out by a scientific institution approved

under the Act; or

• a pet bird of a species listed in Schedule 7 which is being exported by a person who, after

satisfying ownership and residency requirements in Australia, is departing to take up permanent

residence in another country. No migratory species of bird is listed in Schedule 7.

In addition, endangered species which are included on the lists as part of the Japan-Australia Migratory

Bird Agreement or the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement are also given further status under the

Wildlife Protection Act by their inclusion in Schedule I to the Act. Schedule 1 is similar in status as

Appendix I to CITES.

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