Introduction

Hunting is a substantial threat to migratory waterbirds in the EAAF and has been linked to the decline of many threatened species in the Flyway. In many parts of this diverse region, hunting is considered as illegal because species targeted are protected under national or sub-national legislation.

The Task Force was established with the mandate of Decision 10 of the 9th Meeting of the Partners (MOP9) of the EAAFP, following the recommendation of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), and in line with the mandate provided by the Resolution adopted at CMS COP11 (11.16 rev. COP12), entitled “The Prevention of Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds” of the Convention on Migratory Species.

Goal

The Task Force aims to provide a platform for Partners to work together, and exchange experience and knowledge with the ultimate goal of taking action to significantly reduce the impact of illegal hunting, taking and trade of migratory waterbirds in the flyway.

The Task Force has a wider goal of addressing illegal hunting, taking and trade of migratory birds (IHB) takes place in East Asian - Australasian Flyway (EAAF). To reach its goal the Task Force will facilitate concerted efforts and procedures to combat illegal hunting in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway

Scope of the Task Force

• The geographical remit of the Task Force covers all states of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway; Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United States of America (Alaska) and Vietnam.
• The Task Force covers migratory waterbird taxa as identified by the EAAFP.

Proposed Activities

• Support and guide a regional review on the status of hunting regulations in relation to migratory bird species in the EAAF;
• Support and guide a situation analysis on illegal hunting of migratory waterbirds in the flyway, building on the existing work of CMS MIKT in the Mediterranean, Europe and Middle East,
• Promote and facilitate the implementation of decisions and plans adopted in the framework of relevant MEAs or other frameworks, especially the CMS, AMBI and Bilateral Migratory Bird Agreements.
• Stimulate internal and external communication and exchange of information, experience, best practice and know-how,
• Assist in resource mobilization for priority actions including cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),
• Monitor the implementation of the relevant decisions and plans and their effectiveness and regularly submit progress reports to the governing bodies of participating MEAs, including via an intergovernmental ‘scoreboard’ to indicate progress on eliminating IHB,
• Strengthen regional and international networks with experience on IHB and,
• Liaise and share experience with the CMS MIKT Task Force

Task Force Chair