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  • 1Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy:2001-2005

    Prepared by

    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee

    Section A

    Executive SummaryThe cyclical migration of waterbirds across the globe has been long recognised as a natural wonder. Annuallymillions of waterbirds fly many thousands of kilometres across a vast range of climates and habitats in response tothe urge to nest and to avoid adverse weather conditions. These flights require them to replenish their reserves alongthe way. This cyclic pattern has occurred for aeons and predates the evolution of mankind.

    In meeting the demands of their life cycles, birds depend on high quality wetlands and other habitats in manycountries. However, this pattern of existence of migratory waterbirds has come under increasing threat. Rapid humandevelopment across the globe has dramatically increased pressure on wetlands and other habitats resulting in theirdegradation and loss, and their pollution. Efforts to conserve migratory species in one country can only be effective,if they are complemented by actions in the other countries through which the species moves during its annual cycle.Complementary actions in all range states are therefore essential for the conservation of migratory species.

    In recognition of the threats to migratory waterbirds and the need for action to conserve waterbirds and their habitats,the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 1996-2000 was developed. The Strategy has beenactively supported by the governments of Australia and Japan and coordinated by Wetlands International.

    An international committee, the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee (MWCC) was establishedto monitor the implementation of the Strategy. The MWCC comprises seven government representatives (Australia,China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia and U.S.A.), the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention), theConvention on Migratory Species (Bonn Convention), international NGOs (BirdLife International and World WideFund for Nature), a representative of the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facilitiy,chairs of the three technical Working Groups (for Anatidae, cranes and shorebirds) and a Wetlands InternationalSpecialist Group Coordinator. The Strategy has been very successful in promoting international cooperation and anawareness of the need to work together to promote conservation. A number of international and national activitieshave been undertaken, primarily through the implementation of three regional migratory waterbird conservationaction plans (shorebirds, cranes and Anatidae) including the establishment of three networks of sites of internationalimportance for these groups of waterbirds. The networks (as at December 2000) comprised 67 sites in 11 countrieswith new sites being added each year. Based on the successes of the Strategy over the past five years, the MWCCrecommended the development and implementation of this second Strategy for the period 2001-2005.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

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    The Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005 aims to continue and expand onthe successes of the previous Strategy by providing the international framework for the conservation of

    migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific region into the 21st century.

    The Strategy outlines eight key elements to promote the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats:

    1. Action plans for species-groups and globally threatened species.

    2. Effectively managed networks of sites that are internationally important for migratory waterbirds.

    3. Raised awareness of waterbirds and their link to wetland values and functions throughout the regionand at all levels.

    4. Increased capacity of government agencies and non-government organisations to implementconservation actions for migratory waterbirds.

    5. An enhanced knowledge base and increased information exchange for the sound management ofmigratory waterbirds and their habitats.

    6. Harmonised national and state policies and legislation as a foundation for the conservation ofmigratory waterbirds and their habitats.

    7. Enhanced organisational relationships at all levels to increase cooperation and deliver greaterconservation benefits.

    8. Adequate planning and resources to implement the Strategy.

    Over the next five years the Strategy aims to have:

    n achieved implementation of Action Plans for three species-groups in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway,selected globally threatened species, and the Central Asian-Indian Flyway;

    n established effective networks of sites in the flyways to conserve migratory waterbirds and their importanthabitats;

    n built and strengthened capacity of governments and NGOs to sustainably manage waterbirds andwetlands primarily by providing training to managers of important sites;

    n promoted conservation education, public and community awareness at the international, national and locallevel through the development of products and programmes;

    n enhanced programmes to monitor waterbird diversity and abundance at important sites; through improvingour knowledge base of wetlands by contributing to regional inventories;

    n improved our understanding of migration patterns and conservation needs of waterbirds;

    n promoted the implementation of improved national policy and legislation to ensure management ofwaterbirds and their habitats;

    n improved links between local communities at important sites;

    n promoted the sharing of knowledge and skills through various forums (meetings, publications, newsletters,web sites, etc.); and

    n mobilised at least USD 5 million to achieve these activities.

    Implementation of the Strategy will require cooperation between governments, conventions, international andnational corporations, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, international and national non-governmentalorganisations and local communities.

  • 3Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    A Flyway is broadly defined as: themigration route of a population, species, orgroup of species of bird, between abreeding area, through the staging sites(passage) and non-breeding area(wintering area).

    Wetlands are defined as: areas ofmarsh, fen, peatland or water,whether natural or artificial,permanent or temporary, with waterthat is static or flowing, fresh,brackish or salt, including areas ofmarine water the depth of which atlow tide does not exceed sixmetres. Wetlands may incorporateriparian and coastal zones adjacentto the wetlands, and islands orbodies of marine water deeper thansix metres at low tide lying within thewetlands. Based on the text of theConvention on Wetlands ofInternational Importanceespecially as Waterfowl Habitat(Ramsar, Iran, 1971) (Articles1.1 and 2.1).

    1. Introduction to Waterbirds, Wetlands and Conservation Initiatives

    1.1 Waterbirds

    Waterbirds play an important role in several spheresof human interest: culturally, socially, scientificallyand as a food resource. Several species, such ascranes, swans, geese and ducks, are revered.Waterbirds are an important component of mostwetland ecosystems, as they form important links inthe food web and nutrient cycles. Many wetlandspecies also play a role in the control of agriculturalpests, whilst some species are themselvesconsidered pests of certain crops. After fish, birds areprobably the most important faunal group that attractspeople to wetlands.

    Many waterbirds are migratory, undertaking annualmigrations along different flyways spanning the lengthand breadth of the globe between their breeding and non-breeding grounds. During their annual migration,waterbirds stop for very short periods of time to rest and feed at staging sites - stepping stones that are essentialfor migration and crucial to their survival. They regularly cross national boundaries and thus conservation ofmigratory waterbirds is clearly a collective responsibility of all countries in the flyway.

    During their annual migrations, the birds depend on a great diversity ofhabitats, ranging from the Arctic tundra to forests, rivers and estuaries,lakes and marshes, farm lands, rice fields, deserts, coastal marshes,sandy beaches, intertidal mudflats, coral reefs and atolls, andmangroves, most of which are wetlands.

    Loss of waterbird habitats through direct and indirect modifications andnon-sustainable harvesting of waterbirds for human needs have led to declines in several waterbird populations anda number of species. Some of the most catastrophic declines have taken place in the last few decades, and the listof threatened species in the Asia-Pacific region has expanded rapidly to include species from a large range ofwaterbird groups. Whilst the decline of some populations has been well documented, the fate of many othersremains unknown. It is vital to understand the underlying causes for declines in populations and to attempt to controlthese trends in order to prevent key components of the biodiversity of wetland habitats from being lost.

    The number of waterbirds using a particular habitat is related to types and quality of habitats, abundance andavailability of food, and level of disturbance. Monitoring of waterbirds can provide valuable information on the statusof wetlands, and can be a key tool for increasing the awareness of importance of wetlands and conservation values.

    1.2 Global Conservation Initiatives

    Around the world, waterbirds have been demonstrated to serve as a powerfuland efficient vehicle to focus attention and mobilise action for theconservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their biota. On the basis ofthe annual movement patterns of migratory waterbird populations, the worldcan be divided into three major flyway regions, with some overlapping areas:n North and South American flywaysn African-Eurasian flywaysn Asia-Pacific flyways

    Promoting conservation of wetlands and waterbirds around the world is beingundertaken by government agencies involved in nature management andconservation, international and national non-governmental organisations,development agencies and other groups. Experience has shown thatimplementation of conservation efforts in a co-ordinated manner, results in theoptimum use of limited resources and leads to a more sustainable use ofwetland habitats and conservation outcomes.

    Waterbirds are broadly defined as: birds ecologicallydependent on wetlands. It includes traditionally recognisedgroups popularly known as wildfowl, waterfowl andshorebirds/waders (see Table 1, page 7 for full list ofmigratory waterbird groups). In addition to these groups, thereare other birds also dependent on wetlands such askingfishers, birds of prey and passerines. These birds benefitfrom efforts undertaken to conserve waterbirds.

    Migratory populations include species in which the entirepopulation or a significant proportion of the population (>1%)cyclically and predictably crosses one or more nationaljurisdictional boundaries. Based on the text of the Conventionon the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals(Article 1).

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

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    In response to the need for flyway based actions the following broad cooperative initiatives have been developed:

    n North and South American flyways. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan promotes conservation ofNorth American Anatidae (ducks, geese and swans). The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network ispromoting the conservation of migratory shorebirds throughout the entire Americas, complemented by a USShorebird Conservation Plan (Brown et al. 2000).

    n African-Eurasian flyways. An Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds underthe Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention) entered inforce in November 1999 and now has nearly 30 contracting Parties.

    n Asia-Pacific flyways. International action has been developed and coordinated under the Asia-PacificMigratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 1996-2000.

    1.3 Asia-Pacific Conservation Initiatives

    An excellent example of co-operation at an international level is the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird ConservationStrategy: 1996-2000, launched in 1996 through the support of the governments of Australia and Japan andcoordinated by Wetlands International (see Mundkur et al. 1999 for an overview). The Strategy served as aninternational framework for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the region. WetlandsInternational established the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee (MWCC) to oversee theimplementation of the Strategy (see page 22 for details).

    A major achievement of the Strategy: 1996-2000 has been to significantly raise the profile and awareness of theneed to conserve migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific flyways through a series of initiativesimplemented at local, national and international levels. These initiatives have been undertaken with the activesupport and involvement of governments, conventions, national and international non-government organisations(NGO)s, development agencies, the corporate sector and local communities.

    Highlights of the Strategy during 1996-2000 include:

    n Increased awareness of the importance of conserving waterbirds and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific.n Development and implementation of regional conservation action plans for three groups of migratory

    waterbirds (shorebirds, cranes and Anatidae), see page 11 for details.n Establishment of three networks of internationally important sites: East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site

    Network (in 1996), North East Asian Crane Site Network (in 1997) and East Asian Anatidae Site Network (in1999). The networks, as at December 2000, comprised 67 sites in 11 countries (over 60% are sites also listedunder the Convention on Wetlands); new sites are being added each year.

    n Implementation of numerous actions at network sites and other important sites in the region, including:- Securing government and other funding support for conservation, public awareness, education and research

    activities at the national and international level.- Surveys of important wetlands resulting in the identification of new sites of national and international

    importance.

    The Strategy: 1996-2000 was based on the following principles:

    n Migratory waterbirds have evolved to cover great distances to complete their annual life cycle. Duringthis cycle, birds need to stop, rest and feed in wetlands and other habitats in a number of countries,often only for a day or more.

    n Efforts to conserve migratory waterbirds and their habitats in one country can be adversely affectedby actions in another country. Thus, raising public awareness, information exchange and internationalcooperation is needed to achieve conservation of migratory species throughout their range.

    n Conservation of habitats for migratory waterbirds is closely linked to maintenance and sustainableuse of these habitats, including natural and man-made wetlands.

    n Action plans can serve to effectively promote conservation of species-groups and globally threatenedspecies if implemented by governments, conventions, non-government organisations and localpeople.

    n Establishment of international networks of important sites can significantly contribute to the conservationof waterbirds and their habitats across a flyway.

    n Public participation in developing and implementing conservation and sustainable use policies andprogrammes should be provided for and encouraged.

  • 5Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    - Organisation of training courses, resulting in strengthened local capacity to manage wetland andconserve waterbirds.

    - Collection of up-to-date information on waterbirds, threats and conservation priorities.n Organisation of international and national meetings, workshops and conferences to share and exchange

    information and skills and promote the importance of conservation measures.n Publication of technical and non-technical information in English and several Asian languages.n Development of four web sites dedicated to inform the public about activities and issues related to waterbird

    conservation.

    Implementation of the Strategy for migratory waterbirds has also had benefits for resident birds and other wetlandspecies through raised awareness of conservation issues and improved management of important waterbird sites.Thus migratory waterbirds have proved to be an important flagship group that can serve to unite people across theregion to promote the conservation of a common resource.

    An independent review of the implementation of the Strategy undertaken in 1999, reaffirmed the positive value of thisinternational cooperative initiative in promoting waterbird awareness and conservation in the Asia-Pacific region. Thereview identified a number of issues including the need to broaden the basis of funding activities related to theStrategy, increasing the involvement of government agencies and other organisations with the Strategy; and relatedto both these, developing closer co-operative linkages with organisations involved in related areas of wetland andbird conservation so as to develop synergies.

    Based on the successes of the Strategy: 1996-2000, the MWCC has recommended the development andimplementation of this second Strategy for 2001-2005 to provide an international framework for the conservation ofmigratory waterbirds and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific region into the 21st century.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

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    2. Placing the Asia-Pacific Region into ContextThis chapter provides an overview of waterbirds and flyways in the Asia-Pacific region, threats to the waterbirds andtheir habitats, and current conservation frameworks and initiatives. It identifies regional priorities and the need forcoordinated action to achieve conservation and sustainable use of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.

    2.1 The Geographic Region

    This Strategy broadly covers the breeding, staging and non-breeding areas of migratory waterbirds using the threemajor flyways in the Asia-Pacific region. It encompasses the Asian continent east of the Ural mountains and south tothe Caspian Sea and Arabian Gulf, across all the countries of the former Soviet Union and Asia, to Alaska (USA),Australia, and island countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean east to the Pitcairn Islands (as presented in Map 1and listed in Annex 1).

    2.2 Major Waterbird FlywaysIn the Asia-Pacific region waterbirds generally migrate in a north-south orientation. For the long-distance migrants,especially shorebirds, three flyways are recognised, based on biological and geopolitical considerations:

    n Central Asian-Indian Flywayn East Asian-Australasian Flywayn West Pacific Flyway

    The detailed picture of migration within the region is complex, as different species and populations vary in theirmigration strategies. Some populations do not follow these general flyways and spend the non-breeding period inareas covered by two or more flyways. There is also considerable overlap between the flyway areas, especially atnorthern latitudes where the birds breed. A conservation framework that encompasses the entire geographic regionis needed to achieve conservation of these waterbirds. Within this framework, actions need to be implemented at theflyway level.

    NORTH ASIA

    EAST ASIACENTRAL ASIA

    SOUTH ASIAPACIFIC

    AUSTRALIA

    SOUTHEASTASIA

    00 600E 1200E 1800E 1200E 60

    0E

    450N

    00

    450S

    00

    600E 1200E 1800E 1200E 600E

    450N

    00

    450S

    Map 1. Implementation area of the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

  • 7Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Taxonomic Group English Name

    Gaviidae LoonsPodicipedidae GrebesPhalacrocoracidae CormorantsPelecanidae PelicansArdeidae Herons, Egrets and BitternsCiconiidae StorksThreskiornithidae Ibises and SpoonbillsPhoenicopteridae FlamingosAnatidae Swans, Geese and DucksGruidae CranesRallidae Rails, Gallinules and CootsHeliornithidae FinfootsJacanidae JacanasDromadidae Crab PloverHaematopodidae OystercatchersRecurvirostridae Stilts and AvocetGlareolidae PratincolesCharadriidae PloversScolopacidae SandpipersLaridae Gulls, Terns and Skimmer

    Note: Collectively, shorebirds include jacanas, crabplover, oystercatchers, stilts and avocet,pratincoles, plovers and sandpipers.

    2.3 Waterbirds in the Asia-Pacific

    The Strategy adopts the definition of waterbirds of theConvention on Wetlands in its broadest sense as being birdsecologically dependent on wetlands. Twenty families ofwaterbirds with the exception of wetland raptors are acceptedunder the definition, and these are listed in Table 1.

    There are at least 243 migratory species of a total of 404waterbird species that are recorded in the region. They visit atleast 57 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Waterbirds in need of special actionThe conservation status of waterbirds across the Asia-Pacificregion varies greatly, and there is limited information on thesizes of most populations. A 2000 publication by BirdLifeInternational Threatened Birds of the World identifies 50species of threatened migratory waterbirds in the Asia-Pacificregion (Figure 1 and Annex 2). Efforts to conserve thesespecies are needed.

    In addition to these globally threatened species, it is alsonecessary to identify biogeographical populations ofmigratory waterbird species that are threatened in theAsia-Pacific region. Conservation efforts should also betargeted at maintaining (or restoring) viable populations ofthese waterbirds in their natural ranges.

    2.4 Overview of Threats to Waterbirds and Wetlands

    The Asia-Pacific region supports more than half of the worlds humanpopulation and in recent years has achieved one of the highest economicgrowth rates. The effect of high economic growth has also been the rapidand often unsustainable use of natural resources and degradation of theenvironment. The two main threats to the conservation of migratorywaterbirds that are linked to this growth are the loss and degradation ofhabitat. Other threats include the introduction of exotic species andunsustainable harvesting of waterbirds.

    A review of the status of wetlands in Asia undertaken during the late 1980s(Scott 1989; Scott & Poole 1989) revealed that 85% of important wetlandswere under some form of threat. The main threats included generaldisturbance from human activities including settlement and agriculturalencroachment; drainage and reclamation for agriculture; domestic, industrialwaste water and pesticide pollution; over-exploitation of fishery resourcesand associated disturbance; commercial logging and other forestry activities

    Figure 1. Status of 49 threatened migratoryspecies in the Asia-Pacific region(See Annex 2 for details)

    Table 1. Waterbird families included in the Asia-PacificMigratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy

    Greater efforts to identify and promote conservation of globally threatened speciesand populations will be a priority of the Strategy: 2001-2005.

    in wetland-associated forests; and degradation of watersheds resulting in increased soil erosion and siltation anddecreased water quality. Fifty percent of these wetlands were reported to be under moderate or severe threat,providing an indication of the severity of human impacts on the habitats. The Wetlands Policy of the CommonwealthGovernment of Australia (Environment Australia 1997) notes the loss of wetlands and major factors leading todegradation and loss; it also states that the greatest threat, even today, remains ignorance of the importance ofwetlands and the roles they play. Wetlands of the Pacific Islands region, while generally subject to lower populationpressure than in Asia, are nevertheless increasingly under threat from expansion of agriculture, logging andunsustainable harvest of marine and freshwater resources (R. Jaensch, unpublished).

    In order to address waterbird conservation issues, therefore, it is vital to address issues associated with conservationand sustainable use of wetlands and other habitats used by the birds during their annual migratory cycles.

    Low risk33%

    Critical6%

    Endangered14%

    Vulnerable47%

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

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    2.4.1 Loss of habitat

    The loss of habitat through changes in land utilisation practices is the most severe threat to the conservation ofwaterbirds. Drainage and reclamation of wetlands, for example for agriculture and aquaculture, continues in mostcountries. In contrast to habitat loss in the temperate and tropical regions, there has been less impact in the higharctic region, where the great majority of migratory waterbirds breed. However, expansion of oil and gasdevelopments in Alaska and Russia could adversely affect waterbirds on their breeding grounds.

    2.4.2 Degradation of habitat

    In addition to the loss of habitat, degradation of the quality of habitats occurs due to the over-exploitation of wetlandresources (inland and coastal fisheries, mangroves, reeds, etc.) and changes in the watersheds resulting fromlogging and mining, urban, rural and industrial developments. Siltation and increased sediment loads fromdeforestation and urban developments are adversely affecting many inland and estuarine wetlands. Pollution andeutrophication from industrial, agricultural and domestic operations are creating severe problems for inland andcoastal wetlands; these contaminants directly and indirectly affect waterbirds. Degradation of habitat reduces theability of the habitat to support a high density and diversity of birds.

    2.4.3 Threats due to introduced/exotic species

    Wetlands across the region have been adversely affected by the introduction of plant species such as WaterHyacinth Eichhornia crassipes, Salvinia sp. and Mimosa pigra. These plants have led to long-term changes of thenature and biodiversity of the wetlands; in turn, this has had significant effects on the use of these wetlands bywaterbirds and other species. Precedents from elsewhere in the world suggest that other introduced species,including fishes, mammals, birds, and reptiles, may have negative impacts on waterbirds, although quantitativeinformation is lacking from the Asia-Pacific. Human development in the arctic region has resulted in increases innatural predator populations with adverse effects on breeding waterbirds.

    2.4.4 Harvesting of waterbirds

    Migratory waterbirds, their eggs and young are traditionally harvested/collected in several countries for their highsubsistence value, to trade domestically or internationally, or for sport. Whilst in some countries hunting is strictlyregulated by legislation, uncontrolled and illegal activities are still a major problem in many important staging andnon-breeding areas. Unregulated and poorly monitored harvesting of waterbirds may have serious consequences onthe species, leading to rapid declines in populations. When unmanaged harvesting is combined with the destructionof habitats, species are vulnerable to faster rates of declines or extinction.

    2.4.5 Effects of climate change

    Coastal ecosystems, islands and atolls, with their mangroves, inter-tidal mudflats and coral reefs, are prone topredicted climate change impacts such as increased sea levels. Increasing sea levels may adversely affect thepresent spatial distribution and dynamics of coastal ecosystems and their flora and fauna. Several species ofmigratory waterbirds, especially, shorebirds depend on these habitats and it is likely that sea-level rise would haveserious implications for their populations. In addition, global warming is believed to lead to the slow drying or raisingthe salinity of inland wetlands, especially in areas where rivers are diverted from the wetlands for irrigation or otheruses. However, more information is required before the effects of these potential impacts are understood.

    A priority of the Strategy: 2001-2005 will be to highlight the need for measures to protect migratorywaterbirds from threats to their habitats and to encourage conservation and sustainable

    use practices in the harvesting of birds, their eggs and their young.

  • 9Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    2.5 Information Needs for Waterbird and Wetland Conservation

    Baseline information is a prerequisite to plan and monitor management actions for waterbirds and their habitats.Without scientifically robust time series information on population status and distribution, success or failure ofconservation actions cannot be assessed.

    Comprehensive information on breeding ranges, migration routes, important staging areas, non-breeding sites,feeding requirements, quality of habitat and carrying capacity and seasonal/annual usage of habitat and populationchanges is not available for many waterbirds. Monitoring of bird distributions and populations during the migrationcycle is still in its infancy; thus population sizes and trends of many species remain unknown. As well, quantitativeinformation is lacking on the socio-economic importance of the harvest of waterbirds in the Asia-Pacific region.

    The exchange of information on waterbirds and their habitats will facilitate their conservation. Such informationexchange can benefit greatly by the use of computer-based information storage and retrieval systems, especially asaccess to and skills to operate computer-based systems increase across the region.

    There are four main global/regional computer-based databases that store information on waterbirds and theirhabitats:

    n Database of Wetlands of International Importance (Convention on Wetlands)n Important Bird Area Database (BirdLife International)n International Waterbird Census Database (Wetlands International)n World Bird Database (BirdLife International)

    The Asian Waterfowl Census, part of the International Waterbird Census, collects, collates and disseminatesinformation on the distribution of waterbirds and wetlands. The programme needs to be expanded in the Asia-Pacificregion. An Asian Wetland Inventory database is being developed to collect standardised information on wetlands ofinternational importance across Asia.

    Improved data collection and information dissemination are priority elements in the Strategy: 2001-2005.

    2.6 Frameworks for Migratory Waterbird Conservation

    2.6.1 National policies and legislation

    Across the region there are a variety of national policies and legislative measures for the conservation of migratorywaterbirds and their habitats. Policies and legislation relating to the sound management and designation of importantwetlands as conservation areas are lacking in many countries. Implementation of conservation measures inaccordance with national laws to regulate development activities within and outside designated areas is often achallenge, especially where laws conflict with local interests or national development plans. The level of enforcementof legislation varies due to the numbers of trained staff, resource allocations, and levels of public awareness andpoverty.

    Government agencies in most countries are undertaking conservation activities, such as designation of protectedhabitats, regulation of hunting and related activities, management and restoration of habitats, studies on thebreeding, feeding and migration ecology of waterbirds, and activities to increase education and public awareness.

    For the conservation of migratory species and their habitats, a flyway approach to the harmonisation of legislationthroughout the region would be a valuable approach to support conservation efforts, especially for threatenedspecies. Multilateral conservation initiatives such as the Strategy: 1996-2000 and Strategy: 2001-2005, Ramsar andMigratory Species Conventions and Memoranda of Understanding on Siberian Cranes and Slender-billed Curlewprovide a framework and guidance to achieve this objective. Increasingly, countries are supporting internationalinitiatives by joining and participating in implementing actions under various conventions (see 2.6.3, page 10) and insupporting the Strategy and its Action Plans.

    Additionally, cooperative projects are being pursued in several nations based on bilateral treaties for theconservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.

    The Strategy: 2001-2005 will give priority to working towards achieving greater harmony in policies andlegislation in the Asia-Pacific for the conservation and sustainable use of waterbirds and their habitats.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

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    2.6.2 Conservation activities by non-government organisations

    NGOs contribute significantly to waterbird and wetland conservation at the international, national and local level.Initiatives are being implemented in collaboration with governments, conventions, other NGOs and local people. Themost active international NGOs include:

    n BirdLife Internationaln International Crane Foundationn Wetlands Internationaln World Conservation Unionn World Wide Fund for Nature

    Key initiatives include:

    n Co-ordinating the production of A Directory of Asian Wetlands, A Directory of Wetlands in Oceania, ADirectory of the Wetlands of the Middle East and several national wetland directories.

    n Collection of information on wetlands and waterbirds through programmes such as the Asian WaterfowlCensus, Asian Red Data Book and Asian Important Bird Areas.

    n Organising international and national training courses on wetland study and waterbird identification andmonitoring techniques.

    n Organising international and national workshops and conferences on wetland and waterbird conservation.n Organising education and public awareness campaigns to increase peoples awareness on the importance of

    conservation.n Development of management plans and management of important waterbird areas.n Supporting in implementation of conventions at local, national and international levels.

    The Strategy: 2001-2005 recognises the important role that non-government organisations can play inachieving outcomes for the conservation and sustainable use of waterbirds and their habitats.

    2.6.3 International conservation conventions/agreements/frameworks

    There are several international conventions, international/regional initiatives, and bilateral agreements that arerelevant to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific region. However, as yetthere is no governmental multilateral agreement for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.

    International conventions.

    The key inter-governmental conventions are:n Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)n Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention or CMS)n Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, Iran, 1971),

    also known as the Convention on Wetlands or the Ramsar Convention

    Membership of these conventions by countries in the Asia-Pacific region is growing, as more nations recognisethe need and support provided for conservation and sustainable use of biological resources and habitats. As at31 December 2000, 52% were Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, 19% to the CMS and 83% to theCBD (Annex 1).

    Meetings of the Conference of Parties of the Ramsar Convention in 1996 (CoP6) and 1999 (CoP7) approvedthree resolutions and recommendations that are directly relevant to the Strategy: Recommendation 6.4 theBrisbane Initiative on the establishment of a network of listed sites along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway;Recommendation 7.3 on multilateral cooperation on the conservation of migratory waterbirds in the Asia-Pacific region including supporting the implementation of the Strategy and considering the development of amultilateral agreement or an other arrangement; and Resolution VII.21 on enhancing the conservation andwise use of intertidal wetlands (Annexes 3, 4 & 5).

    The 1996 Meeting of the Convention on Migratory Species (CoP5) called on Parties, through Resolution 5.4,to take an active role in the development of a conservation initiative for migratory waterbirds of the CentralAsian-Indian flyway (UNEP/CMS 1997). The 1999 CMS CoP6, through Resolution 6.4 and companiondocument UNEP/CMS/Conf. 6.12, called on Parties to support and provide input to the Strategy: 1996-2000and future related initiatives that may lead, at an appropriate time, to a formal multilateral Agreement amongStates of the region, under the auspices of CMS.

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Regional initiatives on nature conservation.

    At least five regional inter-governmental initiatives provide a framework for international cooperation for theconservation of nature, natural resources and the environment. They are:

    n Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Environment Programmen Convention on the Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific (Apia Convention)n Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific

    (SPREP Convention)n South Asian Agreement on Regional Cooperation (SAARC)n Programme for the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF)

    Bilateral migratory bird agreements/treaties.

    Ten bilateral agreements/treaties with others under discussion, deal with the conservation of migratory birds(Table 2). These agreements provide a useful and effective mechanism for the promotion of actions at a bilaterallevel and international level to promote conservation of migratory waterbirds.

    Table 2. Bilateral agreements/treaties on the conservation of migratory birds in the Asia-Pacific region

    A priority of the Strategy: 2001-2005 will be to promote synergistic actions for migratory waterbird andwetland conservation in all of the various regional and bilateral arrangements for nature conservation.

    International frameworks to promote migratory waterbird conservation.

    Regional action for the conservation of migratory waterbirds has been promoted under the following key initiatives:

    n Strategy: 1996-2000, Action Plans and Site Networks for three species-groups. Three Action Plans weredeveloped under the Strategy: 1996-2000 - for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway, cranes in North EastAsian Flyway, and shorebirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The key element of these Action Planshas been the establishment of networks of appropriately managed sites that are internationally important formigratory waterbirds. The network concept is based on the successful model of the Western HemisphereShorebird Reserve Network that operates in the Americas. The networks of sites and people, enable siteowners, managers, local people and participating organisations to gain national and internationalrecognition and support for their conservation efforts. Conservation efforts at network sites aim to conserveall species of waterbirds and other fauna dependent on the site.

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  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    12

    Site networks provide an ideal framework for the development of site-based activities, including basictraining and public awareness, management planning and support, monitoring and research of wetlandsandwaterbirds, information and personnel exchanges. Government agencies, NGOs and conventions areincreasingly recognising the value of the networks and enhancing their support to them. More informationon these networks is available on the web site of Wetlands International (http://www.wetlands.org).

    To be effective, these networks need to be further developed and strengthened, by extending site coverageand by enhancing network activities. In order to increase synergy between different regional groupings,sites that are important for more than one group of waterbirds will benefit from being nominated under thevarious networks.

    The conservation of important sites in other flyways in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the Central Asian-Indian Flyway would benefit through the development of site networks. This continental flyway compriseslarge semi-arid habitats with limited wetland areas, particularly in the staging and non-breeding areas anddifferent groups of migratory waterbirds appear to overlap considerably in the usage of important sites. Anevaluation of the migration routes, main staging and non-breeding sites of the main waterbird groups isneeded to guide the development of networks in this flyway.

    n Action plans for other species-groups. International Action Plans have been developed for cranes (Meine &Archibald 1996), grebes (ODonnel & Fjeldsa 1997), herons (Hafner et al. 2000) and Anatidae (Callaghan etal. in prep.) by the IUCN Species Survival Commission in conjunction with Wetlands International SpecialistGroups, BirdLife International, International Crane Foundation and others, and for Eider Ducks (CircumpolarSeabird Working Group 1997). These plans aim to raise awareness and promote conservation at the globaland national level.

    n Action plans for globally threatened species. International Action Plans have been prepared for twothreatened species:- A Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for the Siberian Crane Grus

    leucogeranus was developed in 1993 under the auspices of the CMS. The Memorandum andaccompanying Conservation Plan (UNEP/CMS 1999a) aim to ensure the survival of the globallythreatened Siberian Crane through co-operative action in the nine participating range countries.

    - An Action Plan for Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor was developed in 1995 by BirdLifeInternational partners in Asia (Severinghaus et al. 1995). It is proving a successful mechanism ofpromoting cooperation for the conservation of this species.

    A priority of the Strategy: 2001-2005 will be develop the migratory waterbird networks and tobuild greater co-operation between sites and flyways.

    The Strategy: 2001-2005 will continue to provide an international framework for conservationmeasures for migratory waterbirds through the development and implementation of Action Plans

    for species-groups and globally threatened species.

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    3. Strategy Framework

    3.1 Key Elements

    The Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005 aims to enhance the long-termconservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the Asia-Pacific region. It will build and expand onthe successes of the Strategy: 1996-2000. The Strategy: 2001-2005 is based on the principles as set out on page 4.

    The Strategy calls for action to be undertaken at the international, regional and national level. The Strategy dividesthe Asia-Pacific into broad regions as determined by the migration pattern of species along three flyways: CentralAsian-Indian, East Asian-Australasian and West Pacific. It also recognises sub regions for some species-groups, forexample, within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, for cranes in North East Asia and Anatidae in East Asia.

    Action Plans are to continue to serve as the main tool for promoting conservation initiatives at the regional level.Three Action Plans have been reviewed and further developed for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway, cranes in theNorth East Asian Flyway and shorebirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The three existing site networks willserve as a focus for site-based conservation efforts for these species-groups.

    An Action Plan for the Central Asian-Indian flyway will be developed to promote action for all migratory waterbirds. Inaddition, all existing global and regional waterbird Action Plans will be reviewed and promoted. Single species ActionPlans will be developed and promoted for selected species.

    Interactions with other international migratory waterbird conservation programmes such as the North AmericanWaterfowl Management Plan, United States Shorebird Conservation Plan, Western Hemisphere Shorebird ReserveNetwork and African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement need to be enhanced to provide expertise and linkages toenhance the implementation of activities in the Asia-Pacific region.

    National implementation programmes will need to be developed to provide detailed planning for implementation atthe national level. Action at national level will involve the national, state and local governments responsible forwetland habitats and the conserving biodiversity. These actions need to be supported and complemented by localpeople, national and international NGOs, conventions and the corporate and donor community.

    The conservation benefits must be clear to local people across the region, as only through the recognition of theimportance of the waterbirds and their habitats, can such an ambitious conservation plan be achieved.

    The challenge is to ensure that organisations in all countries are involved in the achievement of the outcomes beforethe end of 2005. National government agencies are encouraged to embrace the key elements of the Strategy withintheir national agendas. It is recognised that specific actions may differ between countries depending on existingsituations, current programmes and availability of resources.

    NGOs play an important role in achieving the outcomes of the Strategy, by working with governments and localpeople to develop innovative and cost-effective programmes to implement activities to promote the conservation ofmigratory waterbirds and their habitats at the national and international level.

    The key elements of this Strategy for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats are as follows:

    1. Action plans for species-groups and globally threatened species.2. Effectively managed networks of sites that are internationally important for migratory waterbirds.3. Raised awareness of waterbirds and their link to wetland values and functions throughout the region and at

    all levels.4. Increased capacity of government agencies and non-government organisations to implement conservation

    actions for migratory waterbirds.5. An enhanced knowledge base and increased information exchange for the sound management of migratory

    waterbirds and their habitats.6. Harmonised national and state policies and legislation as a foundation for the conservation of migratory

    waterbirds and their habitats.7. Enhanced organisational relationships at all levels to increase cooperation and deliver greater conservation

    benefits.8. Adequate planning and resources to implement the Strategy.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    14

    3.2 Implementing the Strategy

    Element 1: Action plans for species-groups and globally threatened species.

    Rationale

    Action Plans serve as the main tool for promoting conservation at the regional level (see 2.6.3, page 11). To focusinternational attention on the priorities required to conserve migratory species, it is important to continue to furtherdevelop and promote implementation of these action plans. For selected globally threatened species that havespecific needs, development of single species action plans are encouraged.

    The conservation of migratory waterbirds and wetlands in the Central Asian-Indian Flyway is recognised as a highpriority. Initial activities identified are networking of experts and the development of an action plan that collatesinformation and identifies regional priorities.

    Implementation of these plans requires the active cooperation and participation of all stakeholders.

    Outcomes

    1. Five year species-group Action Plans developed and implemented for shorebirds in the East Asian-AustralasianFlyway, cranes in North East Asian Flyway and Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway with annual implementationplans developed that include resourcing strategies.

    2. Single species Action Plans developed and implemented for globally threatened species (Swan Goose Ansercygnoides, Baikal Teal Anas formosa, Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor, Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana,Saunders Gull Larus saundersi, and others).

    3. A regional Action Plan developed and implemented for migratory waterbirds and wetlands in the Central Asian-Indian Flyway.

    4. Improved support and involvement by governments, the donor community, conventions, NGOs and thecommunity has been achieved in the implementation of the Strategy.

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Element 2: Effectively managed networks of sites that are internationally important for migratorywaterbirds.

    Rationale

    The establishment of three site networks in the East Asian-Australasian region during the Strategy: 1996-2000 (see2.6.3, page 11) has proved to be a valuable mechanism for promoting and delivering conservation outcomes. Thesuccess of these networks to conserve waterbirds will depend on expanding the coverage of networks to include allthe important sites and to ensure their effective management.

    It is proposed to establish a network in the Central Asian-Indian Flyway during the life of this Strategy. Anassessment will be undertaken to determine the importance of establishing site networks to promote theconservation of selected globally threatened species.

    Appropriate integrated management underpins the long-term conservation of network sites. Current Strategyinitiatives have shown that management outcomes are beginning to achieve greater success when local communityneeds (for example traditional practices and resource use) are considered and integrated into management plansand activities. The conservation benefits must be clear to local communities in the region, as only through therecognition of the importance of the waterbirds and their habitats, can sound conservation initiatives be achieved.The development of site management plans by site managers, in consultation with the local community, provides amechanism for integrated management to be achieved.

    Outcomes

    5. Established site networks for species-groups in the East Asian-Australasian flyways and selected globallythreatened species that include a minimum of 25% of the internationally important sites.

    6. Establishment of a site network for conservation of migratory waterbirds and wetlands in the CentralAsian-Indian Flyway.

    7. Model projects developed and implemented that promote sustainable resource use and provide alternativelivelihoods to local communities at network sites.

    8. Adoption of management plans at network sites.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    16

    Element 3: Raised awareness of waterbirds and their link to wetland values and functionsthroughout the region and at all levels.

    Rationale

    Increasing public awareness of the values of waterbirds is fundamental to efforts to promote their conservation.Public support and participation is essential to ensure the successful implementation of the Strategy and ActionPlans. To increase the appreciation and awareness of waterbirds and their habitats, it is important to collaborate withexisting education and public awareness programmes and to develop new programmes, which are targeted to arange of audiences locally, nationally and internationally.

    The success of these education and awareness programmes depends on the development and dissemination ofproducts, materials and tools tailored to the specific requirements of particular countries (e.g. language) and interestgroups. Communication mechanisms will also be facilitated through existing and new channels such as wetland/nature education/interpretation centres, networks sites, Ramsar sites and training courses. Where necessary,wetland centres need to be set-up for effective delivery of these programmes.

    Outcomes

    9. A communication and education plan developed for the Strategy.

    10. Availability of a range of general communication products on wetlands and waterbirds in local languages.

    11. Availability of communication and education tools for use at Network sites and education centres.

    12. Enhanced community awareness of the value of managing waterbirds and their habitats through theimplementation of wide ranging awareness programmes.

    13. Development of new wetland centres in the Asia-Pacific region to meet identified priority needs.

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Element 4: Increased capacity of government agencies and non-government organisations toimplement conservation actions for migratory waterbirds.

    Rationale

    The conservation of waterbirds and their habitats requires a variety of skills and resources at the international,national, state and site level. Providing access to training for site managers provides the most viable and sustainablemechanism for the appropriate management of Network sites.

    The existing capacity in countries varies considerably, it is important to assess knowledge and skills and resourceneeds and subsequently identify and provide appropriate training and infrastructure support. By encouraginginternational cooperation to build capacity, it is possible to strengthen the spirit of regional cooperation by sharingexperiences, skills, and conservation technologies.

    The conservation of waterbirds is closely linked to the management of wetlands. The Convention on Wetlands in itsStrategic Plan 1997-2002 has identified capacity development as a priority; the links to its activities and those of thisStrategy will be identified and cooperative implementation promoted. The links to other conventions andinternational initiatives that promote capacity enhancement will also be identified and encouraged.

    Outcomes

    14. Managers of important sites for waterbirds will have skills in waterbird identification, wetland management, andeducation and engaging communities in conservation activities.

    15. Enhanced technical capacity of government agencies and non-government organisations to implementconservation actions for migratory waterbirds and wetlands.

    16. Greater co-operation between complementary activities of other bilateral and international initiatives andconventions for migratory waterbird and wetland conservation.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    18

    Element 5: An enhanced knowledge base and increased information exchange for the soundmanagement of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.

    Rationale

    The conservation of migratory waterbirds poses a great challenge as the birds utilise a variety of habitats and foodsources throughout the course of a year. Present understanding of the complex requirements of these birds and theirhabitats are far from comprehensive. It is clear that any assessment of the success of actions implemented duringthe life of the Strategy will be ultimately based on trends in migratory waterbird numbers. Scientifically sound on-the-ground monitoring and research activities need to be continued or initiated in the Asia-Pacific region as a priority.

    In order to ensure access to up-to-date information, the continued development and enhancement of waterbird andhabitat inventory and monitoring programmes and information storage systems will be encouraged and supported toensure that conservation efforts are based on the best available knowledge. Advances in information andcommunication technology make it possible to increase access and facilitate the exchange of information.

    The regular exchange of information and experience is essential to monitor the status of action plans, evaluate andimprove methods, identify needs for further work, and review/refine priorities. This requires regular information andexperience exchange, and consultation between waterbird and wetland researchers, interested individuals,organisations, agencies, conservationists and other practitioners.

    Outcomes

    17. A regional programme to collect information on waterbird diversity and abundance at all important sites.

    18. An updated inventory of important waterbird habitats in the Asia-Pacific region.

    19. Up-to-date population estimates for migratory waterbirds in the Asia-Pacific region.

    20. An improved scientific understanding of migration strategies, threats and conservation needs of waterbirds.

    21. Forums identified and/or established to share knowledge and experience in migratory waterbird and habitatconservation (e.g. meetings, newsletters, web sites etc.).

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Element 6: Harmonised national and state policies and legislation as a foundation for theconservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.

    Rationale

    Most nations in the Asia-Pacific region have developed a range of policies and legislation that relate to theconservation of waterbirds and their habitats. As these policies and legislation emphasise national objectives, mostdo not address the international perspective necessary for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and theirhabitats. For example, several globally threatened migratory species are not afforded adequate flyway wideprotection and are hunted in some countries. Harvesting of migratory waterbirds, differing national legislation andlevels of enforcement leave species vulnerable to declines or extinction especially where this is combined with thedestruction of habitats.

    With changing environmental conditions, habitat modifications and other pressures mounting on these species, thereis a need to review existing legislation and policy to develop international guidelines for countries to update andharmonise policy and legislation relating to waterbirds and their habitats.

    Outcomes

    22. Publication of a review of national policy and legislation pertaining to the management of waterbirds in theAsia-Pacific region and the preparation of guidelines to assist regional harmonisation.

    23. National policies and legislation that recognise the importance of conserving migratory waterbirds and theirhabitats are promoted to support the management and conservation of waterbirds and their habitats.

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    Element 7: Enhanced organisational relationships at all levels to increase cooperation anddeliver greater conservation benefits.

    Rationale

    A fundamental principle of the Strategy is that cooperative action is the only means to ensure the conservation ofmigratory waterbirds and their habitats. As the nature of this action is cooperative it is essential that constructiverelations are built and maintained with a wide range of organisations and individuals.

    Coordination of implementation of the Strategy: 1996-2000 has built a coalition of national government agencies,international Convention staff and NGOs. The development and implementation of action plans build additionalrelationships between waterbird biologists, site managers, local communities and national government organisations.These coalitions need to be expanded to enable more comprehensive and sustainable outcomes over the 2001-2005 period.

    Links between site managers and the local community are crucial to maintaining the values of waterbird habitat.

    Outcomes

    24. Linkages between local communities at different sites within each of the migratory waterbird networks havebeen established.

    25. Cooperative implementation of Action Plans and actions at Network sites involving governments,conventions, site managers, NGOs and local communities.

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Element 8: Adequate planning and resources to implement the Strategy.

    Rationale

    To achieve the outcomes of the Strategy and to successfully implement the Action Plans, adequate planning andprogramme management will be required. The MWCC and Working Groups provide the institutional mechanisms forthe implementation of the Strategy and Action Plans at the international level (refer to 4.1, page 22 for furtherinformation).

    A detailed Strategy implementation plan will be developed in consultation with governments and NGOs to achievethe broader objectives of the Strategy not covered by the species-group action plans. This will ensure a co-ordinatedapproach for all migratory waterbird conservation efforts in the region.

    Detailed work programmes with annual milestones will be prepared for the Waterbird Officers.

    Planning and implementation of the Strategy at the national and local level will be promoted by detailed planning andthe development of an agenda for joint action with other partners. Their development will benefit through creatingcloser links and synergies with the MWCC and Working Groups.

    Considerable financial resources need to be mobilised at the international and national level to achieve theoutcomes of the Strategy. This is especially relevant for a number of countries whose economies are in transition.

    A number of agencies and organisations are funding some ongoing activities. Additional financial resources will benecessary to ensure timely implementation of the Strategy. The support of the development assistance community,corporations, national and state governments, conventions and non-government organisations will be vital to achievethe aims of the Strategy.

    Outcomes

    26. Effective operation of the MWCC and Working Groups to promote and monitor implementation of the Strategyand Action Plans.

    27. Engagement of personnel to coordinate, promote and monitor implementation of the Strategy and Action Plans.

    28. Annual implementation plans for the Strategy and Action Plans including resourcing strategies.

    29. National implementation plans for the Strategy developed and supported by all relevant stakeholders.

    30. Increased funding directed towards the conservation and management of migratory waterbirds and theirhabitats.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    22

    4. Organisational Arrangements

    4.1 Co-ordination of Action

    4.1.1 Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee

    The Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee (MWCC) was established in 1996 by the Council ofWetlands International - Asia Pacific to oversee the implementation and review of Strategy: 1996-2000. The MWCCcomprises 16 members: seven government representatives (Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australia(Environment Australia); State Forestry Administration, Peoples Republic of China; Ministry of Environment andForests, India; Ministry of Forestry and Forest Crops, Indonesia; Ministry of the Environment, Japan, Ministry ofNatural Resources, Russian Federation, and Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.A.), the Convention on Wetlands, theConvention on Migratory Species, a development assistance agency (United Nations Development Programe/GlobalEnvironment Facility), international NGOs (BirdLife International and World Wide Fund for Nature), chairs of threetechnical Working Groups (for Anatidae, cranes and shorebirds) and a Wetlands International Specialist GroupCoordinator (Figure 2). The MWCC is supported by a Strategy Coordination Officer.

    Figure 2. Organisational structure of the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee (as at 1 January 2001)

    - Australia - Japan- China - Russia- India - U.S.A.- Indonesia

    Government Representation

    - Convention on Wetlands- Convention on Migratory Species

    Conventions

    - BirdLife International- World Wide Fund for Nature

    International NGO Representation

    - Shorebird Working Group- Anatidae Working Group- Crane Working Group

    Chairs of Working Groups

    Representative of WetlandsInternational Specialist Groups

    Asia-PacificMigratory Waterbird

    ConservationCommittee (MWCC)

    Wetlands International -Asia Pacific Council

    - UNDP/GEF

    Development Assistance Agency

    - Strategy Coordination Officer- Anatidae Flyway Officer- Crane Flyway Officer- Shorebird Flyway Officer

    Administrative &Technical Support

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    The MWCC will maintain overall responsibility for coordinating, monitoring and reporting on implementation of theStrategy, fund raising, development of projects, and overseeing activities of the Strategy Coordination Officer. Theterms of reference for the Committee are to:

    n Promote and encourage support for implementation of the Strategy by governments and other relevantorganisations in the Asia-Pacific region.

    n Monitor implementation of the Strategy.n Establish and provide guidance to Working Groups to oversee the implementation of species-group Action

    Plans and site networks.n Provide advice to and monitor progress of Working Groups.n Monitor and encourage partnerships and linkages between initiatives for conservation of migratory

    waterbirds and those for wetlands and other wetland species.n Make recommendations for development of proposals for the conservation of waterbirds and their habitats.n Provide advice to the Wetlands International - Asia Pacific Council and other agencies on priorities for

    funding and projects.n Report on activities to the Wetlands International - Asia Pacific Council.n Review the annual work programme of the Strategy Coordination Officer.

    Contact details for the MWCC are provided in Annex 6.

    4.1.2 Working Groups

    Coordination of activities to implement the shorebird, crane and Anatidae Action Plans during 1996-2000 wasachieved through three international Working Groups. The Working Groups established by the MWCC, comprise 6-9members drawn from governments, technical institutes and NGOs. Each Working Group has an elected Chair and issupported by a Flyway Officer.

    The Working Groups are responsible for developing, coordinating, monitoring and reporting on implementation ofAction Plans, development of projects, supporting fund raising activities, and overseeing activities of the FlywayOfficer. Contact details for the Working Groups are provided in Annex 6.

    These Working Groups will continue their support role to the MWCC. Additional Working Groups may be establishedto address specific elements of the Strategy.

    4.1.3 Waterbird Officers

    A coalition of non-government organisations will host the Strategy Coordination Officer and Flyway Officers:

    n Strategy Coordination Officer is hosted by Wetlands International - Asia Pacific, provides secretariatsupport to the MWCC and Flyway Officers and coordinates the implementation of the Strategy.

    n Crane Flyway Officer is hosted by the Wild Bird Society of Japan and implements the Crane Action Planfor the North East Asian Flyway.

    n Anatidae Flyway Officer is hosted by the Japanese Association for Wild Geese Protection and implementsthe Anatidae Action Plan for the East Asian Flyway.

    n Shorebird Flyway Officer is hosted by Wetlands International - Oceania and implements the ShorebirdAction Plan for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and conservation action for shorebirds in the WestPacific Flyway.

    4.2 Resourcing the Strategy

    During 1996-2000, Environment Australia, Environment Agency of Japan and Wetlands International provided corefunding to support the Strategy and Action Plan implementation activities, and the meetings of the MWCC andWorking Groups. Funding was also provided for the development of the Strategy: 2001-2005. It is expected thatthese agencies will continue to work with governments and other agencies in the Asia-Pacific region to implementthe Strategy: 2001-2005.

    Implementation of the key elements outlined in the Strategy: 2001-2005 will require considerable financial resources.A number of agencies and organisations are already undertaking some of these activities with funds from a variety ofsources. Other activities can be supported through the re-allocation of existing resources. Additional financialresources will be necessary to ensure timely and sustainable implementation of most of the Strategy.

  • Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

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    Fund raising will be the responsibility of Wetlands International (including MWCC and the Working Groups) and theorganisations that host Flyway Officers. Fund raising will be guided through the development of a detailed fundraising programme.

    4.3 Strategy Evaluation

    Reports on the implementation of the Strategy and evaluation of its outcomes will be prepared periodically.Information for the report will be collated by the MWCC by soliciting reports from the agencies and organisationsinvolved in implementation. The report will be available for public information. Progress reports will be presented atappropriate international waterbird and wetland conservation conferences and other fora.

    A mid term review will be conducted in 2003. During the final year, 2005, a comprehensive independent final reviewwill be undertaken. The MWCC, Working Groups and major co-operating agencies will consider the outcomes of thereview. Future conservation initiatives will be developed based on the evaluation of the success of the implementa-tion of the Strategy.

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    5. References and Further ReadingAdyasuren Tsokhiogiin, Mundkur, T. & Ayushiin Namkhai. 1998. Proceedings of International Workshop on Wetland

    Conservation in Mongolia and North-East Asia. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 16-19 September 1997. Development &Environment NGO, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 181pp.

    Anonymous. 1996. Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 1996-2000. Wetlands International - AsiaPacific, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau, Japan Committee,Tokyo, Japan. 41pp.

    Australian Nature Conservation Agency. 1996. A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. Second Edition,Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra, Australia. 964pp.

    AWB. 1994. Priorities in Wetland Conservation in South-east Asia: Selected Recommendations for Action. RamsarSouth-east Asia Regional Workshop. 29 March - 1 April 1994, Indonesia. Asian Wetland Bureau, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. 39pp.

    Beintema, A. & J. van Vessem (eds.) 1999. Strategies for Conserving Migratory Waterbirds. Procs. of Workshop 2 ofthe 2nd International Conference on Wetlands and Development held in Dakar, Senegal, 8-14 November 1998.Wetlands International Publication No. 55. Wageningen, The Netherlands. 71pp.

    BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Italyand Cambridge, UK. 852pp.

    BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened Birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLifeInternational, Cambridge, UK.

    Brown, S. Hickey, C. & Harrington, B. (eds.). 2000. The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan. Manomet Center forConservation Sciences, Manomet, MA. USA. 60pp. [on-line] http://www.manomet.org/USSCP/files.htm

    Callaghan, D. A. et al. in prep. Global Action Plan for the Conservation of Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Swans andScreamers). IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

    Circumpolar Seabird Working Group. 1997. Circumpolar Eider Conservation Strategy and Action Plan. Conservationof Arctic Flora and Fauna. Akureyri, Iceland. 16pp.

    Chan, S. 1999. Atlas of Key Sites for Cranes in the North East Asian Flyway. Wetlands International - Japan, Tokyo,Japan. 67pp.

    Chen Kelin & Zhang Guixin (eds.). 1998. Wetland and Waterbird Conservation - Proceedings of an InternationalWorkshop on Wetland and Waterbird Conservation in North East Asia. Wetland International -ChinaProgramme. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing. China. 294pp.

    Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. & Stattersfield, A. A. 1994. Birds to Watch 2: The World List of Threatened Birds. BirdLifeConservation Series No. 4. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. 407pp.

    Environment Australia. 1997. Wetlands Policy of the Commonwealth Government of Australia. Commonwealth ofAustralia, Canberra, Australia. 48pp.

    Hafner, H., Lansdown, R. V., Kushlan, J. A., Butler, R. W., Custer, T. W., Davidson, I. J., Erwin, R. M.,Hancock, J. A., Lyles, A. M., Maddock, M., Marion, L., Morales, G., Mundkur, T., Perennou, C., Pineau, O.,Turner, D., Ulenaers, P., van Vessem, J. & Young, L. 2000. Conservation of herons. Pp 343-376. In: HeronConservation (eds. Kushlan, J. A. and H. Hafner). Academic Press, San Diego, USA. 480pp.

    Heredia, B., Rose, L. & Painter, M. (eds.) 1996. Globally threatened birds in Europe: Action plans. Council of EuropePublishing, Strasbourg, France. 408pp.[on-line] http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ nature/directive/birdspriority.htm

    Ichida, N. 1994. The proposed international wetland nature reserve network. Pp. 176-181. In: The Future ofCranes and Wetlands. (eds. Hiroyoshi Higuchi & J. Minton) Wild Bird Society of Japan, Tokyo. Japan. 181pp.

    IUCN. 1996. 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Grand, Switzerland. 378pp.

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    Hilton-Taylor, C. (compiler) 2000. 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland andCambridge, UK. 61pp.

    Lopez, A. and Mundkur, T. (eds.) 1997. The Asian Waterfowl Census 1994-1996. Results of the CoordinatedWaterbird Census and an Overview of the Status of Wetlands in Asia. Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. 118pp.

    Jaensch, R. (ed.) 1996. Wetland Conservation in the Pacific Islands Region. Proceedings of the Regional Workshopon Wetland Protection and Sustainable Use in Oceania, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 6-10 June 1994.Wetlands International - Asia Pacific Publication No. 118, Canberra, Australia. 222pp.

    Meine, C.D. and Archibald, G. W. (eds.). 1996. The Cranes: - Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan.IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, U.K. 294pp.[on-line]. http://www.npsc.nbs.gov/resource/distr/birds/cranes/cranes.htm

    Miyabayashi, Y & Mundkur, T. 1997. Action plan for conservation of Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway. Pp. 90-94. InDetermining priorities for waterbird and wetland conservation. Proceedings of Workshop 4 of the InternationalWetlands and Development Conference, Kuala Lumpur, 9-13 October 1995. (ed. J. van Vessem). WetlandsInternational, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 71pp.

    Miyabayashi, Y. & Mundkur, T. 1999. Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway. WetlandsInternational - Japan, Tokyo, and Wetlands International - Asia Pacific, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 148pp.[on-line] http://www.jawgp.org/anet/aaa1999/aaaendx.htm

    Mundkur, T., Matsui, K., Chan, S., Miyabayashi, Y. & Watkins, D. 1999. Promoting Migratory Waterbird Conservationin the Asia-Pacific. Pp 6-12. In: Strategies for Conserving Migratory Waterbirds - Proceedings of Workshop 2 ofthe 2nd International Conference on Wetlands and Development held in Dakar, Senegal, 8-14 November 1998.(eds. A. Beintema & J. van Vessem). Wetlands International Publication No. 55. Wageningen, the Netherlands.71 pp.

    North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee, the. 1999. 1998 Update, North American WaterfowlManagement Plan, Expanding the Vision. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington,Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Hull, and Instituto Nacional de Ecologia, Mexico, 33pp.[on-line] http://www.nawmp.ca/pdf/update-e.pdf (2.4MB)

    ODonnel, C. and Fjeldsa, J. (compilers). 1997. Grebes - Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SCCGrebe Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. 59pp.

    Perennou, C., Mundkur, T., Scott, D. A., Follestad, A. & Kvenild, L. 1994. The Asian Waterfowl Census 1987-91:Distribution and Status of Asian Waterfowl. AWB Publication No. 86. IWRB Publication No. 24. AWB, KualaLumpur, Malaysia and IWRB, Slimbridge, UK. 372pp.

    Ramsar Convention Bureau. 2000. Ramsar handbooks for the wise use of wetlands. (9 Handbooks) RamsarConvention Bureau, Gland, Switzerland.

    Rose, P. M. & Scott, D. A. 1997. Waterfowl Population Estimates. Second Edition. Wetlands International Publication44. Wageningen, The Netherlands. 106pp.

    Scott, D. A. 1989. A Directory of Asian Wetlands. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. 1181pp.

    Scott, D. A. 1993. A Directory of Wetlands in Oceania. International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau,Slimbridge, U.K. and Asian Wetland Bureau, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 444pp.

    Scott, D. A. (ed.) 1995. A Directory of Wetlands in the Middle East. IUCN Gland Switzerland and InternationalWaterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau, Slimbridge, U.K. 560pp.

    Scott, D. A. 1998. Global overview of the Conservation of Migratory Arctic Breeding birds outside the Arctic.Wetlands International Publication No. 45. Wageningen, The Netherlands and CAFF Technical Report No. 4.CAFF. Iceland. 132pp.

    Scott, D. A. and Poole, C. 1989. A Status Overview of Asian Wetlands. Asian Wetland Bureau, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. 40pp.

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    Scott, D. A. &. Rose, P. M. 1996. Atlas of Anatidae Populations in Africa and Western Eurasia. WetlandsInternational Publication 41. Wageningen. The Netherlands. 336pp.

    Severinghaus, L. L., Koen, B. Chan, S., Chong, J. Coulter, M. C., Poorter, E. P. R., & Wang, T. 1995. Action Plan forthe Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor. Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Taipei.

    Shorebird Working Group of Wetlands International - Asia Pacific. 1999. Action Plan for the Conservation ofMigratory Shorebirds in Asia Pacific: 1998-2000, Environment Australia, Canberra, Australia. 9pp.

    SPREP. 1999. Regional Wetlands Actions Plan for the Pacific Islands. SPREP, Apia, Samoa. 25pp.

    Straw, P. (ed.) 1997. Shorebird Conservation in the Asia Pacific Region. Based on papers presented at a symposiumheld on 16-17 March 1996, Brisbane, Australia. The Australasian Wader Studies Group, Victoria, Australia.

    UNEP. 1999. Global Environment Outlook 2000. Earthscan Publications Ltd., London. 398pp.

    UNEP/CMS. 1997. Proceedings of the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Geneva. Switzerland, 10-16April 1997. UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 179pp.

    UNEP/CMS. (ed.) 1999a. Conservation Measures for the Siberian Crane. CMS Technical Series Publication No.1,UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 195pp.

    UNEP/CMS. 1999b. Proceedings of the Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Cape Town, South Africa,10-16 Nov. 1999. Vols.1 and II. UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Bonn, Germany.

    van Vessem, J. (ed.) 1997. Determining priorities for waterbird and wetland conservation. Proceedings of Workshop4 of the International Wetlands and Development Conference, Kuala Lumpur, 9-13 October 1995. WetlandsInternational, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 208pp.

    Weaver, K. 1997. Conservation planning for migratory waterbirds in the Asia Pacific Flyways: bilateral andmultilateral approaches. Pp. 29-46. In: Determining priorities for waterbird and wetland conservation.Proceedings of Workshop 4 of the International Wetlands and Development Conference, Kuala Lumpur, 9-13October 1995. (ed. J. van Vessem). Wetlands International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 208pp.

    Wells, D. R. & Mundkur. T. (eds.) 1996. Proceedings of the international workshop on Conservation of migratorywaterbirds and their wetland habitats in the East Asian-Australasian flyway. Wetlands International - AsiaPacific, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Publication No 116 and International Waterfowl and Wetlands ResearchBureau, Japan Committee, Tokyo, Japan. 304pp.

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    Annex 1: Accession to international conventions directly relevant tothe conservation of waterbirds in the Asia-Pacific region

    Nation and TerritoryInternational Conventions1

    BiologicalDiversity CMS Wetlands

    AfghanistanAustraliaAzerbaijan2BangladeshBhutanBrunei DarussalamCambodiaChina, Peoples Republic ofCook IslandsEast TimorFijiFrance (French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallisand Futuna Islands)IndiaIndonesiaIran, Islamic Republic ofJapanKazakhstan2Kyrgyzstan2

    KiribatiKorea, Peoples Democratic Republic ofKorea, Republic ofLao Peoples Democratic RepublicMalaysiaMaldivesMarshall IslandsMicronesia, Federated States ofMongoliaMyanmarNauruNepalNew Zealand

    Yes Yes YesYes (Yes)Yes YesYes

    Yes YesYes (Yes) YesYes

    Yes

    YesYesYes

    YesYesYes YesYesYesYes

    YesYes

    (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)Yes Yes YesYes YesYes (Yes) YesYes YesYes (Yes)

    Yes Yes Yes

    Yes YesYes Yes YesYesNiue

    (Yes)Northern Mariana IslandsYes Yes YesPakistanYesPalauYesPapua New Guinea YesYes Yes YesPhilippinesYes (Yes) YesRussian FederationYesSingaporeYesSolomon IslandsYes Yes YesSri LankaYes Yes*Tajikistan2

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    Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

    Notes:Yes - nation is party to the convention, (Yes) - territory of a nation is party to the convention, Yes* Deposition ofDeclaration of Succession, (Yes) - a non Contracting Party to CMS, but a member of agreements on waterbirds underCMS.

    1 Wetlands - Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat(Ramsar Convention); list as at 31 December 2000.CMS - Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention); list as at31 December 2000.Biological Diversity - Convention on Biological Diversity; list as at 31 December 2000.

    2 Nations belonging to the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) have undertaken in the Alma-AtaDeclaration of 21 December 1991 to guarantee in conformity with their legislative procedures, the fulfilment ofinternational obligations, stemming from the agreements signed by the former USSR. In December 2000,Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan are still to confirm their membership of the Ramsar Convention.

    Nation and TerritoryInternational Conventions1

    BiologicalDiversity CMS Wetlands

    Yes Yes

    YesYesYesYes

    Tuvalu

    United States of America (American Samoa)Uzbekistan2VanuatuViet NamWestern Samoa

    (Yes)Yes*

    TOTAL 45 (3) 83% 10 (3) 19% 28 (6) 52%

    YesThailand(Yes) (Yes)TokelauYesTonga

    (Yes)YesTurkmenistan2

    United Kingdom (Pitcairn Islands) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)United States of America (Alaska, Hawaii and Guam) (Yes)

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    Annex 2: Threatened migratory waterbird species in theAsia-Pacific region

    Species1 English Name Categoryof Threat2 Status

    3 Population estimate4

    Pelecanus philippensisPelecanus crispusPhalacrocorax pygmaeusEgretta eulophotesGorsachius goisagiIxobrychus eurhythmusAnastomus oscitansCiconia boycianaThreskiornis melanocephalusPlatalea minorPhoeniconaias minorAnser cygnoidesAnser erythropusAnser canagicaBranta ruficollisAix galericulataAnas formosaMarmaronetta angustirostrisAythya baeriAythya nyrocaPolysticta stelleriiSomateria fischeriMergus squamatusOxyura leucocephalaGrus nigricollisGrus monachaGrus japonensisGrus vipioGrus antigoneGrus leucogeranusCoturnicops exquisitusCrex crexHeliopais personataVanellus gregariusVanellus cinereusCharadrius placidusNumenius tahitiensisNumenius tenuirostrisNumenius madagascariensisTringa guttiferGallinago hardwickiiGallinago nemoricola

    Spot-billed Pelican VU MR 11,500Dalmatian Pelican LR/CD 10,000-13,0005MPygmy Cormorant LR/nt M

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    Notes:

    1 Species list adapted from BirdLife International (2000). The list covers species and populations that breed and migrate withinthe Asia-Pacific region. In addition, it includes three globally threatened species Corn Crake, Slender-billed Curlew andGreat Snipe that breed within the region and migrate outside.

    2 Categories of threat follow BirdLife International (2000). Information provided below is abstracted from the publication whichprovides detailed information on the criteria used for the classification.

    CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR). A taxon is Critically Endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction inthe wild in the immediate future, as defined in any of the criteria.

    ENDANGERED (EN). A taxon is Endangered when it is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction inthe wild in the medium-term future, as defined in any of the criteria.

    VULNERABLE (VU). A taxon is Vulnerable when it is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk ofextinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as defined in any of the criteria.

    LOWER RISK (LR). A taxon is Lower Risk when it has been evaluated, does not satisfy the criteria for any of the categoriesCritically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Taxa included in the Lower Risk category can be separated into threesubcategories:

    1. Conservation Dependent (CD). Taxa which are the focus of a continuing taxon-specific or habitat-specific conservationprogramme targeted towards the taxon in question, the cessation of this conservation programme would result in thetaxon qualifying for one the threatened categories above within a period of five years.

    2. Near Threatened (nt). Taxa which do not qualify for Conservation Dependent, but which are close to qualifying forVulnerable.

    3. Least Concern (lc). Taxa which do not qualify for Conservation Dependent or Near Threatened.3 Status of species follows Perennou et al. (1994): M - Migratory species, MR - migratory species with resident populations4 Populations estimates are based on Perennou et al. (1994) and Rose and Scott (1997).5 The population estimated only refers to the population in the Asia-Pacific region for a species which has an extended range.

    6 Updated population estimates base on BirdLife International (2000).

    Species1 English Name Categoryof Threat2 Status

    3 Population estimate4

    Larus saundersi Saunders Gull VU M 7,0006Larus relictus Relict Gull VU M 2,500-10,0006

    Larus brevirostris Red-legged Kittiwake VU M 168,0006

    Sterna bernsteini Chinese Crested Tern CR M

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    Annex 3: Convention on Wetlands, Recommendation 6.4

    6th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting PartiesBrisbane, Australia19-27 March 1996

    Recommendation 6.4: The Brisbane Initiative on the establishment of a network of listed sites along theEast Asian-Australasian Flyway

    1. RECALLING Article 5 of the Convention, which calls for international consultation and coordination in theconservation and management of shared wetland resources;

    2. NOTING Recommendations 4.4, which calls for networks of reserves to be established, and 4.12, whichrecognizes the flyway concept for the conservation of wetland bird species;

    3. AWARE of the Kushiro Statement (Resolution 5.1), which calls for the strengthening of regional coordination onwetland issues, cooperation with other conventions and organizations, and the establishment of international networks