Conserving migratory waterbirds

Like many other animal species, migratory shorebirds and their habitats are constantly under threat. Land use activities such as agriculture, mining and urban development can threaten the conservation values of wetlands visited by migratory shorebirds. Along their migratory route, the shorebirds stop at many different wetlands. This means that disturbance at one site will affect the entire network of wetlands used by the shorebirds. Therefore, it is important that these wetlands are protected.

Australia, along with other countries, has taken part in developing regional strategies to help protect the habitats of migratory shorebirds.

Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy

This provides the overall international framework for the conservation of all migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific Region. The strategy was developed in 1994, when a workshop involving 16 nations was held in Kushiro, Japan to discuss the conservation of migratory waterbirds in East Asia and Australasia.

East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network

This was developed as part of the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy - to focus on the conservation of key wetland sites for migratory shorebirds that travel the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The network is based on the very successful Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network that has been in operation in the Americas since 1985. The East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network is supported internationally by both government and non-government organisations. Its goal is to recognise and manage a network of important wetland sites to ensure the long-term conservation of migratory shorebirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

Wetlands that support 20,000 or more shorebirds or one per cent of a population of migratory shorebird species are eligible to join the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network.

At February 2006, 31 sites from nine countries make up the network. Eleven of these important sites are located in Australia, of which two occur in WA: Thomsons Lake and Parry’s Lagoon, both of which are within Ramsar Sites and are managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

International agreements on migratory waterbirds conservation

Australia is a signatory to two international agreements that specifically protect migratory birds and their habitats. These are the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA). Under the two agreements, species of migratory birds that occur in Australia, Japan and China are listed. The agreements recognise the importance of conserving migratory birds and their habitats. The birds listed under JAMBA and CAMBA are also protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth). Migratory species are also protected through the Bonn Convention.