The Flyway Site Network not only identifies and includes sites of international importance for migratory waterbirds to promote improved protection and management, but also aims to link those sites through sharing information and capacity building.

The EAAFP Sister Site Program brings together Flyway Network sites in different countries that share species to encourage increased awareness of their shared migratory waterbirds and link sites through collaborative activities to promote the conservation of these birds. It is designed to offer a better chance to be engaged with other sites in the Flyway Site Network to conduct collaborative research and monitoring on shared species and exchange information and experience, which is critical for site managers and decision makers to reinforce conservation action. Capacity building is an important element of sister site relationships and exchange visits can help site managers learn new and innovative approaches to different aspects of site management, from visitor centre development to participatory wetland management techniques.

As on May, 2023, there are 12 Sister Site Agreements, from 21 sites across 7 countries. The EAAFP encourages further cooperation between existing or potential Network sites. The present list may not include all the arrangements and diverse activities in place along the Flyway. Please contact the EAAFP Secretariat if you would like to provide further information.

EAAFP Sister Site Program Guidelines

The 11th Meeting of Partners (MOP11), which was held in March 2023, adopted guidelines for the EAAFP Sister Site Program. The guidelines contain a basic understanding and steps to establish the Sister Site Program, including several case studies and how to exchange knowledge effectively.

Existing sister site arrangements and other collaborative activities involving Network sites in the EAAF

Country

City or Management Authority

Site Name

Site Name

City or Management Authority

Country

1 China, People’s Republic Dandong City Yalujiang National Nature Reserve (EAAF043) Firth of Thames (EAAF019) Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalist Trust New Zealand
2 Korea, Republic of Changwon City Junam Reservoir (EAAF095) Kejo-numa (EAAF098) Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture Japan
3 China, People’s Republic Qiqihar City Zhalong National Nature Reserve (EAAF070) Janghang Wetland Protected area (EAAF143) Goyang City Korea, Republic of
4 Australia Brisbane City Moreton Bay, Boondall wetlands (EAAF013) Yatsu-higata (EAAF059)  Narashino City, Chiba prefecture Japan
5 Australia Newcastle City Hunter River Estuary Wetlands (EAAF010) Kushiro Wetland (EAAF032)

Kushiro City Hokkaido

Japan
6 Korea, Republic of Suncheon City Suncheon Bay (EAAF079) Izumi formerly named Arasaki (EAAF030)

Izumi City Kagoshima Prefecture

Japan
7 Japan Nagoya City Fujimae Tidal Flat (EAAF080) Swan Bay Tidal Flats Greater Geelong City Australia
8 Korea, Republic of Seocheon County Yubudo Tidal Flat (EAAF101) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (EAAF073) National Parks Board of Singapore Singapore
9 China, People’s Republic Shanghai City Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve (EAAF002) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (EAAF073) National Parks Board of Singapore Singapore
10 Korea, Republic of Incheon Metropolitan City Incheon Songdo Tidal Flat (EAAF145) Mai Po Inner Deep Bay (EAAF003) Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China, People’s Republic
11 United States of America Bureau of Land Management Alaska Qupałuk (EAAF133) Higashiyoka-higata (EAAF124) Saga City, Saga Prefecture Japan
12 China, People’s Republic Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mai Po Inner Deep Bay (EAAF003) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (EAAF073) National Parks Board of Singapore Singapore

1. Yalujiang National Nature Reserve - Firth of Thames

In 2004 Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalist Trust (PMNT) signed a memorandum of understanding which established a sister-site partnership with the Yalujiang National Nature Reserve (NNR). Since then, various programs including surveys, training of staff, speaking to local schools and public awareness have been conducted in Yalujiang NNR as a cooperative program to conserve species common to the two sites.

Major focus: Shorebird

Activities:

2. Junam Reservoir - Kejo-numa

Between Changwon city and Osaki city, a memorandum of understanding was signed to conserve wetlands and promote international cooperation in Osaki city in 2009. Both Kejo-numa and Junam Reservoir comprise a system of water storage wetland and rice paddy fields. A workshop to promote cooperation between Junam Reservoir and Kabukuri numa was held in November 2009 in Changwon.

Major focus: Anatidae (Greater White-fronted Goose, Thick-billed Bean Goose, Baikal Teal)


3. Zhalong National Nature Reserve - Janghang Wetland Protected area

Qiqihar city and Goyang city have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote international cooperation between Zhalong National Nature Reserve and Janghang Wetland Protected area with support from UNDP/GEF Korea Wetland Project.

Major focus: Crane (White-naped Crane)


4. Moreton Bay, Boondall wetlands - Yatsu-higata

Narashino City and the Brisbane City Council have agreed on the First Five-year plan (1998 - 2003) and also the Second Five-Year Plan (2004 - 2009) for the Wetlands Affiliation Agreement. These plans support conservation initiatives along the East Asian – Australasian Flyway, exchange of information in relation to wetland conservation and the protection of migratory shorebirds in both cities, and training persons involved in wetland conservation.

In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding on Education Cooperation (2003 - 2006) was agreed, to exchange information, conduct training, increase awareness in education and encourage visitors to their local communities following the successful 2002 trial exchange (Oct. 22, 2003).

Major focus: Shorebird

Activities:


5. Kushiro area - Hunter River Estuary Wetlands

Wetlands in the Kushiro area (Kushiro-shitsugen, Akkeshi-ko and Bekanbeushi-shitsugen, and Kiritappu-shitsugen) formed a sister-wetland affiliation with Kooragang Wetland and the surrounding wetlands in the Hunter region, New South Wales, South-eastern Australia, in November 1994. (Since the 2004 renewal of sister wetland affiliation agreements, its name was changed to the Hunter River Estuary Wetlands.) The sister-wetland affiliation aims to promote conservation and wise use of wetlands and exchange techniques and knowledge of wetland conservation.

Major focus: Shorebird (Latham’s Snipe)

Activities:


6. Suncheon Bay - Izumi crane migration grounds*

In 2009, Suncheon City, Korea, and Izumi City, Japan, agreed to cooperate for conserving Hooded Cranes and management of their habitats. Suncheon and Izumi will exchange information regarding the internationally important sites for Cranes and promote activities through international networks and improve environmental policies. In addition, the cities will collaborate for developing eco-tourism and international events based on the agreement.

Major focus: Hooded Crane

Activities:


7. Fujimae Tidal Flat – Swan Bay Tidal Flats

On May 22, 2007, a wetland affiliation was signed between Nagoya City, Japan, and Geelong City, Australia. Nagoya manages the Fujimae Tidal Flat and Geelong manages the Swan Bay Tidal Flats.

The website with live webcams on both sites is one of a number of actions to come from a joint wetlands agreement between the City of Nagoya and the City of Greater Geelong. A web camera in each location will relay live coverage of the wetlands allowing people to watch in real time the summer and winter habitats of birds that migrate between Geelong and Nagoya. The wetlands website can be accessed at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/wetlands

Major focus: Shorebird

Activities:


8. Yubudo Tidal Flat – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

On 20th September 2012, Seocheon County, South Korea and the National Parks Board of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Yubudo Tidal Flat and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Both are Network sites of EAAFP. The authorities agree to collaborate in joint research on migratory shorebirds and sharing knowledge and expertise on the wetland habitat conservation and management. This will promote better understanding of habitat management for the shared species as sister sites under the East Asian – Australasian Flyway.

Major focus: Shorebird

Activities:


9. Chongming Dongtan – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

On 6th April 2017, Shanghai city, People's Republif of China and the National Parks Board of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Chongming Dongtan and Sungi Beloh Wetland Reserve. Both are Network sites of EAAFP. This will help to encourage understanding of wetlands and sharing of wetland information among sister wetland schools across the EAAF. They look forward to strengthening the research and management for capacity building between sites.

Major focus: Shorebird

Activities:


10. Incheon Songdo Tidal Flat – Mai Po Inner Deep Bay

On 27th November 2019, Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Incheon Songdo Tidal Flat and Mai Po Inner Deep Bay. Both are Network sites of EAAFP. This will help to enhance knowledge and information sharing on habitat management and shared migratory species. In particular, they will collaborate in youth environmental education programme such as youth forum for Black-faced Spoonbill.

Major focus: Black-faced Spoonbill, Shorebird

Activities:


11. Higashiyoka-Higata – Qupałuk

On 8th February 2023, Saga City, Japan and Bureau of Land Management Alaska, United States of America signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Higashiyoka-Higata and Qupałuk. Both are Network sites of EAAFP. This will help to promote active exchange between both sites on monitoring, conservation and management as well as CEPA activities regarding both wetlands. Both sites will cooperate in building strategic foothold for further joint activities and communication activities.

Major focus: Dunlin, Shorebird

Activities:


12. Mai Po Inner Deep Bay – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

On 13th May 2023, Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), National Parks Board of Singapore (NParks), WWF-Hong Kong, and WWF-Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes Sister Sites between Mai Po Inner Bay and Sungei Buloh. Both are Flyway Network Sites of EAAFP. This will help to strengthen the partnership and collaboration between the two sites, and promote active research exchange between MoU signing parties on migratory shorebirds monitoring, conservation and training on the management.

Major focus: Shorebird

Activities: