• Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore announced Sister Sites

        Photo shows the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site in Hong Kong (left) and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore (right) In line with World Migratory Bird Day, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of Hong Kong S.A.R., the National Parks Board of Singapore, the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong and the World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the conservation of migratory waterbirds on 12 May, 2023. This MoU establishes the Sister Sites between the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site (Flyway Network Site EAAF 003) in Hong Kong S.A.R. and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (Flyway Network Site EAAF 073) in Singapore following the Sister Site Programme of East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership. This is the first Sister Site Agreement of EAAFP since the adoption of Guidelines for the EAAFP Sister Site Program during the 11th Meeting of Partners (MOP11). The Sister Site Agreement showcased collaboration among government agencies and NGOs.  Areas of cooperation include mutual assistance in the continuous development and management of the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. In addition, the MoU signing parties involved will initiate collaboration in research on migratory shorebirds, exchange of expertise and training on the management of wetland habitats, and promotion of the sites. Dr Leung Siu-fai, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation said, “Tomorrow is World Migratory Bird Day which aims to raise awareness on the conservation of migratory birds and the wetland habitats they depend on. The conservation of migratory birds especially requires collaboration across the region. The MoU demonstrates that Hong Kong and Singapore are committed to the conservation of wetlands and migratory waterbirds through closer collaboration.” Ms Nicole Wong, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong said, “WWF-Hong Kong has been managing Mai Po Nature Reserve in collaboration with AFCD since 1983. The MoU with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve lays the foundations for a future partnership that will improve the management of both wetlands, allow for the exchange of expertise and knowledge, and secure an integrated network of wetland ecosystems for migratory shorebirds.” Dr. Leong Chee Chiew, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation and Executive Director, National Parks, Gardens and Nature Reserves of the National Parks Board of Singapore said, “International cooperation is key to supporting migratory shorebirds as they require multiple refuelling stops on their long-distance travels to roost and feed. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Mai Po Inner Deep Bay serve as two important sites along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. This MoU will strengthen the partnership between the two wetlands, and the National Parks Board will continue building cross-border collaboration on the conservation of wetland sites to protect these shorebirds and their habitats.” "WWF-Singapore recognises the significance of both these wetlands for migratory birds. This transnational collaboration between NParks, AFCD, WWF-Hong Kong and WWF-Singapore will enable more opportunities for protection and conservation work. We also look forward to amplifying the conservation efforts of habitats and species in these wetlands through our upcoming contribution to educational programmes in Singapore," said Mr. R. Raghunathan, CEO of WWF-Singapore. Learn more about: Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site (Flyway Network Site EAAF 003) in Hong Kong S.A.R. (here) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore (Flyway Network Site EAAF 073) (here) EAAFP Sister Site Program (here) Read the original news release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202305/12/P2023051200276.htm https://www.wwf.org.hk/en/?25563/Mai-Po-and-Sungei-Buloh-establish-Sister-Wetlands


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  • Linking environmental educators from Hong Kong and Incheon for conservation of migratory waterbirds

    Environmental education is key to conservation efforts. Exchanging knowledge and…


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  • Announcement of EAAFP Partners Workshop leading up to MOP 11

    In preparation of and to increase dialogue with and between Partners in the months leading up to MOP11, which will be held in Brisbane Australia, from 12th – 17th March 2023, the Secretariat is organizing a series of webinars endorsed by the EAAFP Management Committee with the following schedule and program. The webinar series will give Partners the opportunity to be briefed on important ongoing activities of the Secretariat and follow-up on Decisions made at MOP10. The EAAFP Secretariat is inviting all Partners to mark these dates and participate in the webinars. Title: EAAFP Partners Workshop lead up to MOP 11 Date/Time: 1 – 5 August 2022; 15:00 – 17:30 KST Organizers: EAAFP Secretariat and Management Committee Participants: EAAFP Partners, EAAFP Working Groups and Task Forces, Flyway Network Site Managers Language: English Meeting Platform: Zoom Register: https://cutt.ly/dJJgCmV *We invite everyone to join as many sessions as possible EAAFP Provisional Programme Day Programme Presenter/Moderator Day 1 Opening Remarks Robb Kaler, MC Chair Briefing on MOP11 Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive/Nick Davidson, TsC Chair Activities of the Management Committee Robb Kaler, MC Chair Report on the Secretariat’s workplan and budget Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive Day 2 Presentation on the Partner New Reporting Template for MOP11 Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive Interactive Session 1: How to increase the effectiveness of Working Group/Task Forces for EAAFP, following up on the Discussion Paper presented at MoP10 (link). (TBC) Day 3 MOP10 DD08: EAAFP Guidelines for National and Site Partnerships (link) Jennifer George, Consultant MOP10 DD 09: EAAFP Guidelines for the Sister Site Program (link) Day 4 Presentation on the revised CEPA Action Plan 2023 – 2028 Casey Burns, CEPA Working Group Chair Update on the ADB Regional Flyway Initiative Duncan Lang, Asian Development Bank /Doug Watkins, Secretariat Chief Executive /Ding Li, BirdLife International Day 5 Conservation Status Review of Migratory Waterbird Populations for the EAAFP [MOP10 DD 12] / Q&A Taej Mundkur, Consultant to Wetlands International Interactive Session 2: How to expand, strengthen and engage the Flyway Site Network, including adopting a more simplified and focused nomination form (SIS)  Nick Davidson, TsC Chair/Qing Zeng, Science Officer Closing Remarks Robb Kaler, MC Chair For inquiries, please email to secretariat@eaaflyway.net.


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  • 1st EAAFP briefing for the development of guidelines for National/Site Partnership and Sister Site Programme

    1st Webinar Group Photo ©EAAFP Secretariat Starting with the speech of Mr. Robert Kaler, the Chair of EAAFP, the first webinar for Briefing on Development of Guideline/Recommendation for Site and National Partnership and Sister Site Programme was held on 2 July, 2021. Following the Decision 8 and Decision 9 at EAAFP MOP10, the Secretariat has been working with Ms. Jennifer George, project consultant to develop the guidelines strategically and efficiently. It will improve the 1,060 EAAFP FNS relationship among and beyond the network. The following Partners of EAAFP participated in the webinar: 5 Government Partners: Japan, Singapore, RO Korea, United States, Thailand 2 NGOs: New Zealand Miranda Trust and WWT 2 IGOs: ACB and Birdlife (Cambodia) 2 Site Managers from Indonesia Ms. George shared the background and expected outcomes through the guideline development. She highlighted that the FNS flows from relationships, hence securing and strengthening relationships within and between countries is the main purpose of this project. As 1,060 sites are crucial to migratory waterbirds, EAA Flyway holds 149 of those sites which some are twinned as Sister Sites. Ms. George shared the key terms of the guideline: Site Partnership (SP) National Partnership (NP) Sister Site Programs (SSP) Two case studies were presented to share the National Partnership in Japan, and strong Sister Site programs in Singapore. Ms. Tomoko Ichikawa (Presentation file), Ministry of Environment of Japan shared the 3 national networks (Anatidae, Shorebird, Crane), the structure of the NP, and the ongoing meetings in Japan. First, to strengthen cooperation among the Sites, she mentioned that each FNS in Japan belongs to 1 or more of the national networks. Second, she introduced the structure of the NP, where MOE-J carries out activities of the network in coordination with associated organizations. As well as coordinators of each species group network plays a key role publishing newsletters, forming mailing lists, creating Facebook page etc. to exchange information across the national FNS. She highlighted the many meetings well facilitated in Japan, such as the shorebird virtual meeting, the national CEPA WG meeting, the national liaison meeting, and workshops for FNS managers. The effort to share necessary information, encourage and support issues and discussions, and strengthen a cooperative relationship among site managers, local government and NGO all contributes to the excellent NP structure in Japan. Following are some key elements Ms. Ichikawa suggested for a NP: Network species group works well in mobilizing people for active participation and enthusiasm Coordinating cooperative activities Involvement of NGO to secure continuation on past achievements and the implementation of conservation works in the FNS Obtain the understanding of stakeholders by publishing CEPA materials Ms. Ichikawa further proposed some elements for the guideline: Changing the wording from ‘guideline’ to ‘guidance’ or ‘non-binding guideline’ Avoid too detailed and restrictive guideline as establishing a NP depends on the social condition and national stakeholders Highlighting the benefits of a NP The next case study was Mr. How Choon Beng (Presentation link) from National Parks Board, Singapore shared the Sister Site Programs. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at the center of EAAF requires strong justification to secure the space for birds. Mr. How shared Singapore’s approach of regarding the entire population as the stakeholders. Hence, a shared understanding for the stakeholders to view the site as a national heritage, and a habitat for migratory waterbirds is essential. In support of this, Singapore encourages many programs to connect the people, and to enhance the 4 major MOU with China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and RO Korea. The MOU activities diversifies from school exchange, cross promoting other international sites as a tourist spot etc. As well as the MOU expands from sites to various institutions such as National Institute of Ecology, which Singapore held the 1st EAAF Shorebird Science meeting. Mr. How shared the key benefits of exchanging relationship opportunities, such as increasing research opportunities and sharing capacity building. Hence, the following suggestions were made for the SS Program: Strengthening research and management for capacity building Building target groups Utilizing technology to overcome travel and funding barriers Enhancing promotion and publicity Then the panel and open discussion was facilitated by Mr. Doug Watkins, the Chief Executive of EAAFP Secretariat. Mr. Watkins focused the discussion on three points: Defining the term “National Partnership” How to build relationships with other FNS on the Flyway How to develop more Sister Sites A question was raised by Dr. Piyakarn Teartisup, Thailand government partner of EAAFP, with recommendations regarding twinning sites nationally or internationally. Mr. Watkins encouraged to identify common points for linkage such as shared common species. Ms. Ichikawa supported the idea of common species, as Japan’s NP implementation worked best through species group based. Nonetheless, she highlighted the challenge of language barrier, hence initiated the support needed both locally and internationally. Mr. How also shared that a lot of the decisions in linking a Site comes from informal meetings. Such as, during MOP when small group discussions open it gives an opportunity to hear specific issues, challenges, or preferences on other sites. Mr. Terry Townshend, an advisor to the Beijing government on biodiversity, suggested in support of public engagement “to link sites using tracking studies, where individual birds are named by local schools and tracked between sites.” Finally, Mr. Fnu Aprinto, site manager from Wasur National Park Indonesia, shared despite its desire in building a relationship with other FNS there is a limit in the capacity of initiating this as all decision making is done by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the central government. Mr. Watkins concluded the open and panel discussion that the EAAFP Secretariat encourages the flexibility of the guideline and supports building strong relationship among sites by capturing he human elements on the shared biodiversity. Hence, in moving forward to articulate an effective and strategic guideline, he welcomed Partner’s suggestions in more depth through interviews that would be arranged by the Secretariat. EAAFP Partners can reach out to us through the contact information here: Ms. Jennifer George, Project consultant: jennifer@snapdragon.co.nz EAAFP Secretariat: secretariat@eaaflyway.net 1st Webinar video recording: Proposed Timeline:                    


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  • A Tale of Black-faced Spoonbill Linking Two Cities – Launch of Incheon-Hong Kong Sister Site Agreement video

    Sister Site Agreement under the EAAFP Flyway Site Network is a useful mechanism to enhance the collaboration between important sites of migratory waterbirds in the Flyway. In 2019, Governments…


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  • First council meeting of Incheon Black-faced Spoonbill (BFS) Conservation Guild

    On 5th March 2021 the first council meeting of Incheon Black-faced Spoonbill (BFS) Conservation Guild (hereinafter referred to as “council meeting”) was convened by the National Institute of Ecology…


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  • EAAFP Flyway Site Network Leaflet finally here!

            For the past years, EAAFP Secretariat has worked to…


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  • Work and achievements of EAAFP Secretariat in collaboration with the Partners in 2020

    The year 2020 is an unprecedented time for everyone due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Yet, the EAAFP Partners and Secretariat adapted to the situation and overcome the challenge to…


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