Introduction to the Network Sites Biwa-ko Shiga, Japan [ in Japanese ] [ Back ]

Biwa-ko is:

• A Ramsar Site.

• A permanent freshwater lake, the largest in the country.

• Area: 65,602 ha.

• Location: 35°15'N, 136°05'E.

• One of the largest wintering sites for Anatidae populations.

  • The Lake supports more than 20,000 individuals of Anatidae populations, by survey in midwinter by the Prefecture Government:
    Feb. 1999: 40,883
    Jan. 1998: 66,841
    Jan. 1997: 62,149
    

  • The Lake supports more than 1% of individuals of Anatidae populations, by surveys in recent winter by the Prefecture Government:
    Cygnus columbianus bewickii: 305
    Anser fabalis middendorfi: 424
    Anas penelope: 12,166
    Anas strepera strepera: 2,332
    Aythya ferina: 23,889
    Aythya fuligula: 13,543
    

  • The Lake regularly supports appreciable number of individual of Anatidae population of unfavourable conservation status:
    Anser fabalis middendorfi
    Anas strepera strepera
    

The management authorities of the Site, which have joined to the activities of the Anatidae Site Network are:

Shiga Prefecture Government, Division of Nature Conservation
Kyomachi 4-1-1, Otsu, 520-8577 Japan
TEL +81-77-528-3481 / FAX +81-77-528-4846
E-mail: dg00ⓐpref.shiga.jp
URL <English>: http://www.pref.shiga.jp/index-e.html
URL <Japanese>: http://www.pref.shiga.jp/

Shin'asahi Township Government, Division of Construction

Kohoku Township Government, Division of Local Development

Takatsuki Township Government, Division of Environment and Sanitation

Further information of the Site can be found on the internet at:

• Shiga Prefecture Government: <English> <Japanese>

• Biwako Waterfowl Wetland Center: <English> <Japanese>

• Ramsar database sheet for Biwa-ko, A Directory of Wetlands of International Importance, Wetlands International.

• Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in Japan, Ramsar Bureau.

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The "Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway" is a component of the "Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy", and the "Anatidae Site Network in the East Asian Flyway" is a programme of international co-operation to enhance the conservation of the wetlands of international importance for Anatidae (ducks, geese and swans) in the flyway under the "Action Plan". The "Anatidae Working Group" of Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee oversees the implementation of these programmes with technical support from Anatidae Flyway Officer. For further information, please contact the Anatidae Flyway Officer. Posted 14 May 1999, updated 4 February 2003.