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Partnership News - archive 2011

Current 2011 2010 2009~2006

In memory of Mark Barter: dedicated conservationist in the East Asian - Australasian Flyway:

Mark Barter at the Scaly-sided Merganser Workshop in Russia (May 2010) © Chang-yong Choi

A very sad day indeed for many. The EAAF Partnership Secretariat sadly reports the passing of Mark Barter on 21 November 2011. Mark was an outstanding and enthusiastic conservationist who has contributed to migratory waterbird research and conservation in the East Asian - Australasian Flyway. Over the past 3 decades Mark's contribution has been instrumental to:

the development of the Australasian Wader Studies Group and its conservation activities (Chair, 1987-1997). -the development and oversight of the East Asian - Australasian Action Plan (1997-2001) and his role as Chair of the Shorebird Working Group during this time.

conducting a program to train Nature Reserve staffs in bird recognition and survey methods at various wetland sites and, with them, undertake surveys of tidal flats from Fujian in southern China to the border with North Korea.

promoting global recognition of the critical importance of the Yellow Sea for migratory shorebirds in the East Asian - Australasian Flyway.

advancing our understanding of the importance of the Middle and Lower Yangtze wetlands for Anatidae, and establishing a waterbird monitoring program for the Yangtze wetlands in China.

facilitating the development of international collaborative waterbird research programs that linked scientists in Asia, Europe and North America.

All his friends, colleagues, and Secretariat staffs greatly value his contribution as a leader, a scientist and as a trainer and mentor in this region. We will miss you, Mark! [29/11/11]

Ramsar Asia Regional Meeting had discussions in preparation to Ramsar COP11 in 2012:

Representatives of Ramsar Asia Regional Meeting in Indonesia © Yeap Chin Aik

Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention in Asia and relevant international/domestic NGOs have gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia on 14-18 November 2011. The Ramsar Secretariat reported on the implementation of the Ramsar Convention 2008 – 2011 and outlined the forthcoming issues for the implementation of the Ramsar Convention. The EAAFP Secretariat, represented by Aram Lee, Communications and Information Officer, has delivered a presentation about the Partnership as a regional initiative of the Ramsar Convention, More issues including economic valuation of wetlands, working with local communities, best practices in wetlands tourism, opportunities for regional cooperation were discussed. [29/11/11]

First seabird network site ‘Chilbaldo Islet’ to the Flyway Site Network of the Partnership:

Certificate ceremony in Shinan County, Republic of Korea © Gi-chang Bing Press image for enlargement.

The Chilbaldo Islet in Republic of Korea was designated in the Flyway Site Network (FSN) as first internationally important seabird habitat on 9 November 2011. The site is a breeding site for seabirds, Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma monorhis), Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas) and Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), and is also a stopover site for migratory passerines, raptors – 137 bird species were recorded including 4 internationally vulnerable and 17 nationally protected birds. The site meets FSN criteria for seabird species with high numbers of Swinhoe’s Strom-Petrels about 26,000 birds. Internationally Chilbaldo is also included within the boundary of Shinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve designated by UNESCO after 2009. [17/11/11]

Download the updated list

Position open for recruitment; Chief Executive, East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat:

The East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) is now inviting applications for the position of Chief Executive to lead the Secretariat in Incheon, Republic of Korea (open until 15 November 2011 or until the position is filled). This position is an exciting and challenging opportunity to lead the international Secretariat of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership, developing a diversity of activities in support of the Partnership. The Chief Executive will be responsible for managing a small multinational team. We are looking for an experienced team leader and manager who can work with a wide range of international stakeholders. Fluency in spoken and written English is essential as English is the language used by the Partnership. The successful applicant will have the experience and confidence needed to work closely with governments, intergovernmental organisations, international NGOs, and the corporate sector. Knowledge of the Asian – Australasian region is highly desirable. Please visit www.eaaflyway.net/vacancies.php for detailed information. [09/11/11]

Global Flyways Workshop in Seosan establishes a “Global Interflyway Network” (GIN):

With the generous support of Seosan City, Republic of Korea, the government of Switzerland and the Secretariat of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), an international workshop to review good practice in international initiatives for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and other migratory bird taxa was convened by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the UNEP/AEWA Secretariats, BirdLife International, Wetlands International and the EAAFP Secretariat. The workshop, held from 17-20 October 2011 and attended by 35 representatives and observers from 14 international organisations and seven Korean organisations, was hosted by Seosan City at Hanseo University. The workshop participants were unanimous in their recognition of the value of knowledge and information sharing across flyway initiatives, and agreed to establish an open and inclusive network of flyway-scale initiatives, so as to facilitate future networking, collaboration and information-sharing between initiatives and their personnel, entitled the “Global Interflyway Network” (GIN). A summary report of the workshop’s conclusions and recommendations is being prepared for consideration by CMS Scientific Council in November 2011, and a full workshop report is in preparation for publication as a joint Ramsar /CMS/AEWA Technical Report. [09/11/11]

EAAFP Task Force Meeting; Review of Implementation Strategy Workshop:

The Implementation Strategy of the EAAFP was adapted at the First Meeting of Partners (MoP1) in November 2006 and refers to the period 2007-2011. The Implementation Strategy is the Partnership’s most important guiding document and has influence across all of its activity. A Task Force on the Review of Implementation Strategy was established to undertake review and update of the EAAFP Implementation Strategy. As agreed at the Fifth Meeting of Partners (MoP5), the Secretariat in consultation with the Task Force appointed a consultant, Crawford Prentice from Nature Management Services, to prepare report and facilitate the workshop. Subsequently, the workshop was convened, chaired by Douglas Hykle of CMS, at EAAFP Secretariat on 14-15 October attended by Ramsar, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Wetlands International, and BirdLife International. On the first day of the workshop, the task force reviewed the key issues identified by the consultant in relation to the 14 outcomes of the current implementation Strategy. The substantive points identified during these discussions will be incorporated into the synthesis section of the consultant’s report in due course, for the consideration of the Partners. On the second day, possible new subject areas, e.g. climate change adaptation and mitigation, the possible inclusion of indicators and a detailed review of the existing outcomes and guidance points, a feedback on CEPA outcomes from the EAAFP CEPA Task Force meeting in September 2011, as well as the structure and content of the current Implementation Strategy were discussed. The final version of the implementation review and a draft of the revised Strategy 2012-2016 should be available for inclusion in the Agenda Documents of MoP6 in March 2012. [09/11/11]

Bangladesh to add five new network sites to the Flyway Site Network:

Five sites in Bangladesh - Nijhum Dweep National Park, Sonadia, Hakaluki Haor, Tanguar Haor and Hail Haor have been added to the Flyway Site Network as internationally important habitats for migratory waterbirds. Nijhum Dweep National Park and Sonadia are important coastal habitats which support diverse range of shorebirds including the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus). The other two sites, Hail Haor, Hakaluki Haor and Tanguar Haor, are important freshwater habitats mainly for Anatidae species such as Gadwall (Anas strepera), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica), and threatened Baer’s Pochard (Aythya baeri). Designation of these fives sites is a significant step forward to recognising the sites of international importance in Bangladesh since that country joined the Partnership in August 2010. The Partnership looks forward to continued participation of Bangladesh in extending the Flyway Site Network. [09/11/11]

Download the updated list

EAAFP Task Force Meeting, CEPA Strategy Workshop:

The EAAFP’s Working Group on CEPA, led by Lew Young, Senior Advisor for Asia-Oceania of Ramsar Convention, convened at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore on 19-21 September. Representatives from Singapore and Indonesia Government, Australasian Wader Studies Group, Society for the Conservation of Philippines Wetland, and the Ramsar Secretariat as well as the EAAFP Secretariat participated in the meeting. During the first two days, the existing Communication Strategy 2007-2011 was reviewed and on the last day, the group has identified tasks at the three levels: flyway, national and site, and categorized the actions by tools/linkages/activities in achieving the strategy for 2012-2016. The recommendations from the CEPA WG were delivered to the Implementation strategy review group in order to be harmonized with the new implementation strategy. The new strategy on CEPA will be presented to the next Meeting of Partners, scheduled in March 2012, Indonesia. [09/11/11]

A warm welcome to a new Partner, New Zealand:

New Zealand is now officially a Partner (the 26th) of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) as from 18 September 2011. A letter of endorsement from the Chair, has been sent to the Hon Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Conservation, and Nicola Scott, Senior International Partner Liaison of Department of Conservation, has been appointed as the EAAFP contact point. Many Partners have sent supportive messages. Wetlands International anticipates that it would strengthen what could be achieved from the Partnership by an additional Ramsar Contracting Party joining a Partnership; Ramsar believes that New Zealand will have an important and constructive role in the Partnership over the coming years; and Miranda Naturalists' Trust strongly supports NZ joining the Partnership which would enable them to be even stronger in ensuring the migratory birds keep returning to New Zealand each year. New Zealand Government expressed its willingness to nominate other significant sites for migratory waterbirds in addition to the current two important migratory waterbird sites included in the Flyway Site Network, Farewell Spit and the Firth of Thames.[09/11/11]

First Chief Executive moves on:

The first Chief Executive of EAAFP, Roger Jaensch, finished in that role on 2 September 2011 and together with family members has moved back to his home country, Australia. Roger led the Secretariat from 2009 and oversaw its development to full operational capability including recruitment of staff and implementation of annual work plans set by the Partners. During his time as Chief, two Meetings of Partners (Songdo; Siem Reap) were completed and the number of Partners and breadth of Partnership activities increased. The Partnership wishes Roger the very best for his future and looks forward to successful recruitment of the next Chief Executive. [23/09/11]

New Flyway Network Site: ‘Yubu-do Tidal Flat’ in Seocheon County, Republic of Korea:

Based on the recommendation of the Secretariat and review panel, the ‘Yubu-do Tidal Flat’ in Seocheon County is now designated in the Flyway Site Network (FSN) as an internationally important habitat for migratory waterbirds on the East Asian-Australasia Flyway. Classified as intertidal flat and islands, it is located in the centre of the western coast in Korea, and is an important staging and non-breeding habitat for many migratory waterbirds such as Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina). It also regularly supports appreciable numbers of Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus). [01/09/11]

Partnership support to training for shorebird research:

Over three weeks in February-March 2011, two personnel of the Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation received technical training with support from the Flyway Partnership. Sunate Karapan and Thiti Sonsa participated in the North-West Australia Wader and Tern Expedition at Roebuck Bay and Eighty Mile Beach, which are internationally important sites for migratory waterbirds. This annual expedition, typically with international participants, was coordinated by the Australasian Wader Studies Group and trainees experienced cannon-netting, recording of bio-data and fitting of leg flags and geolocators. Sunate and Thiti were reassured about the efficiency and safety of procedures they have been using for similar research in Thailand and also learnt new techniques. The training was made possible by a small grant from EAAFP using a contribution to Partnership activities in 2010 by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. [29/07/11]

Tentative venue and date of the Sixth Meeting of Partners:

The Secretariat has received a letter from the Government of Indonesia confirming that it will host the Sixth Meeting of Partners of EAAFP. The Partnership is most grateful to Indonesia for its generous offer and looks forward to a successful and productive Meeting. The proposed location is the city of Palembang, South Sumatra. The date proposed by Indonesia, after consultation with the Secretariat and review of MoP5 decisions, is 19-23 March 2012. These details will be confirmed and formally announced by the Partnership Chair in due course. [29/07/11]

New Chair, Vice-Chair and Management Committee for the EAAFP:

The terms of the Republic of Korea as Partnership Chair and Japan as Vice-Chair concluded in June 2011 and these roles have been transferred to Cambodia (new Chair) and China (Vice-Chair) for a period of two years (24 months). H.E Dr. Yin Kim Sean, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment (Vice Minister) of Cambodia will take up the Chair position and Dr. Srey Sunleang, Director of Department of Wetlands and Coastal Zones will be the contact point for communication.

See contact details

The Membership of the Secretariat’s Management Committee has also changed in June 2011. Following the Terms of Reference for the Secretariat’s Management Committee adopted by Partners at MoP5, the members now are:

Cambodia (as Partnership Chair; new member)
China (as Vice-Chair; new)
Republic of Korea (as Host of Secretariat; ongoing)
Convention on Migratory Species (as an Inter-governmental Organization; ongoing)
International Crane Foundation (as an NGO Partner; ongoing)
BirdLife International (as an NGO Partner; new)
Indonesia (as an additional Government Partner; new member).

[29/07/11]

Update on development of the Flyway Site Network:

Over recent months, nominations for new Flyway Network Sites have been received from Bangladesh (5 sites) and Republic of Korea (1 site); the outcomes will be announced shortly. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive met with US Fish and Wildlife Service officers and scientists and developed a strategy for possible Network Site nominations in Alaska. He also met with the Australian Government and encouraged the States to put forward further nominations. The Communication and Information Officer and Publications Officer visited Thailand to support possible new site nominations at Kohk Kham and Bang pu. In Korea, Secretariat staff visited Seomando, a candidate Network site used by breeding Swinhoe’s Egret and Black-faced Spoonbill, and met local officials and discussed about nomination of the site. [29/07/11]

Secretariat contact with Partners in 2011:

In the first half of 2011, the Secretariat staff met face-to-face with many Partners to discuss potential Network site nominations and other EAAFP business. Discussion with potential Partners has also been undertaken. [29/07/11]

See EAAFP visits

Krabi Estuary and Bay of the EAA Flyway Site Network in Thailand:

Krabi Estuary and Bay, located in Muang District, Krabi province on the southern part of Thailand, joined the EAA Flyway Site Network as a shorebird site on 9 November 2005. The site meets Network criteria for Lesser Sandplover (Charadrius mongolus), Nordmann’s Greenshank (Tringa guttifer), Greater Sandplover (Charadrius leschenaultii), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). It is one of important non-breeding sites and 25 species of shorebird have been recorded from this site. The site is covered with mangrove forest, mud flat, seagrass bed and villages. The intertidal mudflats extend up to two km offshore at low tide. A substantial amount of fresh water enters the system as run-off via the major rivers, especially during the wet season. The site has tourism and educational values. Since the area is near to the town, it is a suitable bird-watching site for student and interested people. This site has been managed by Krabi Provincial Administrative Organisation. EAAFP staff attended meetings and field trips to discuss potential Network sites with Thailand Government Partner and relevant organisations including Bird Conservation Society of Thailand and WWF-Thailand. Visiting Krabi site by the Secretariat staff encouraged Krabi site managers to develop public awareness activities regarding conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in Krabi. It also provided the local staff a chance to make contact with the EAAFP focal point in the Thailand Government. The Secretariat and Thailand Government Partner is spurring to add new Flyway Network sites in Thailand. [29/07/11]

Transfer of two Mongolian sites to the Flyway Site Network confirmed:

On 10 June 2011 the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism of Mongolia confirmed the transfer of two Mongolian sites to the Flyway Site Network: Ogii Nuur and Khurkh-Khuiten Valley. [29/07/11]

Download the updated list

Partner contribution from Republic of Korea, 2011:

In addition to ongoing Secretariat hosting and operating costs (5 years) provided by Incheon City Government under the hosting MoU, the Ministry of Environment of Korea has recently contributed KRW 50 million (USD 47,000) to the Partnership for calendar year 2011. The Secretariat and Partnership are very grateful for this generous assistance.
All Partners are encouraged to contribute to the costs of operating the Partnership including the Secretariat. Also, Partners are reminded that support can be given to EAAFP in various ways, e.g. hosting of meetings and covering the costs of delegates to attend Partnership events. [20/07/11]

National mechanism for communication among Network sites launched in China:

On 22-23 May 2011, a special China Forum for Nature was conducted at Beijing Forestry University in connection with World Biodiversity Day. The Forum was co-organised by the University, the China Wildlife Conservation Association and Future Generations China and was hosted by the University’s School of Nature Conservation. Speeches were made by Ms Yin Hong, bureau chief of the State Forestry Administration (SFA) which is the EAAFP focal point for China, and invited guests including the Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat. Certificates of Participation were presented to representatives of China’s 19 Flyway Network sites. The occasion marked the launch of an arrangement whereby the School of Nature Conservation, under Professor Lei Guangchun, will support communication among China’s widespread Network sites and provide technical advice to SFA and the sites on waterbird conservation issues generally. With national partnerships or similar domestic-level networks for communication now developing in Japan, South Korea and China, the Partnership is making steady progress in North-east Asia on this important desired outcome of EAAFP. [27/05/11]

World Wetland Day 2011 event held at Woonkok Wetland, South Korea:

To celebrate the new Ramsar site, Woonkok Wetland in Gochang County, South Korea, a World Wetland Day event was held at the Dolmen Museum in Gochang on 11 May 2011. The event was co-organised by the Ministry of Environment Korea (MoE) and Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTMA), and was hosted by Gochang County. Welcoming speeches were given by the Minister of Environment, Vice-Minister of MLTMA and the Mayor of Gochang County and a Ramsar Site Certificate was presented to a representative of Woonkok Wetland. The 200 participants included the Chief Executive and staff of the EAAFP Secretariat, government officials and local residents. In addtion, there was an EAAFP display to raise public awareness on conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats and a CEPA Workshop was conducted with support from MoE. As participants were mainly government officials, many of whom are associated with existing and potential Flyway Network sites in South Korea, it was great chance to create better understanding of the Network in South Korea. [27/05/11]

World Migratory Bird Day 2011, in Incheon, South Korea:

To mark World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), the EAAFP Secretariat invited Incheon city officials with their children, totaling 80 people, to a Waterbird Watching & Education Program. The program was held on 5 May 2011 coinciding with a national holiday in Korea – Children’s Day. A half day program was designed to promote awareness of tidal flats in the region as an important habitat for migratory waterbirds and to stimulate public efforts to conserve them for the future. Incheon City includes significant areas important for migratory waterbirds such as Songdo, South part of Yeongjong Island, and South part of Ganghwa Island. After a welcoming speech by the Chief Executive, the Science Officer explained about waterbirds and threats along their journey, highlighting the theme “Land use changes from a bird’s-eye view”. After the lecture, the Science Officer and three invited bird guides from a University Bird Watching Club led the excursion. Participants visited Namdong Reservoir to observe nesting Black-faced Spoonbills and Yeongjong Island to observe shorebirds roosting during stopover (2-3 weeks) before their continued northward migration. The Science Officer showed a dead godwit that apparently had struck overhead electricity wires next to a roost – a sobering reminder of the many hazards to successful migration. The Partnership tries to encourage national and local governments to promote WMBD activities to raise public awareness of the importance of migratory waterbirds and protecting their habitats for future generations. [27/05/11]

Korean Network Site Managers’ Workshop, in Gunsan, South Korea:

On 7-8 April 2011, the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea hosted the second Korean Network Site Managers’ Workshop, in Gunsan City, to further develop a National Partnership to conserve migratory waterbirds and their habitats. The first Korean Network Site Managers’ Workshop was held in September 2010 and participants recommended to hold the workshop once or twice each year. At Gunsan, managers from ten existing Network Sites in South Korea and also from potential Network sites were invited. The Deputy Director and Science Officer gave presentations on East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership activities at the international level and emphasized the importance of work by site managers to conserve the sites at the local level. Presentations were delivered by participants on current and potential Network sites and their activities and on Avian Influenza. At the beginning of the workshop, a Certificate of Participation was presented to the Gunsan City Mayor by the Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat for designation of Geum River Estuary as the 100th Flyway Network Site. Geum River Estuary is jointly managed by Gunsan City and Seocheon County. Please see the article below regarding the 100th Flyway Network Site for details. [27/05/11]

The 100th EAAF Network Site designated in Republic of Korea:

Geum River Estuary, located on the western coast of the Republic of Korea, was designated as the 100th Flyway Network Site on 1 December 2010. The site meets Network criteria for Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard), Anas formosa (Baikal Teal), Anser albifrons (Greater White-fronted Goose) and Anser fabalis serrirostris (Tundra Bean Goose). In winter it regularly accommodates more than 200,000 Baikal Teal which constitutes above 40% of the whole population and so it is one of the species’ most important non-breeding sites. It is jointly managed by Gunsan City and Seocheon County. A Certificate of Participation was presented to Seocheon County in December 2010 and a presentation to Gunsan City will be made in the near future. A Google Earth link to the site is accessible on the Partnership website at this link. [09/03/11]

Mongolia becomes the 25th Partner:

Mongolia is officially a Partner (the 25th) of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) as from 17 January 2011. Mongolia’s extensive territory includes many wetlands (lakes, floodplain wetlands, marshes) that are important for migration and/or breeding by waterbirds including cranes, Anatidae and shorebirds. Several have been assigned a special status and Mongolia has begun considering which of its wetlands should be designated to the Flyway Site Network. Mongolia joining the Partnership will help to conserve important areas for migratory waterbirds at the international level as well as at the national level. The Partnership encourages all government officials, researchers, national and international NGOs and intergovernmental organizations working to promote conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in Mongolia. [19/01/11]

Volunteers from universities in Incheon will translate E-Newsletter of the EAAF Partnership into Korean:

A Korean version of the EAAFP E-newsletter will be translated by volunteers who are Korean undergraduate students in Incheon. Free of cost, these volunteers are willing to assist dissemination of the Partnership news in Korea using their translation skills. This contribution is greatly appreciated by the Partnership. The first Korean version of the EAAFP E-newsletter will be circulated in January 2011 to relevant domestic organizations and individuals that have been in contact with the Secretariat. It is hoped that local people may become more aware of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in Korea through distribution of the Korean version of the E-Newsletter of the EAAFP. Other Partner countries could make similar arrangements for translation of the e-newsletter into their national language. [05/01/11]

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