Priority Actions
for Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Anatidae
in the East Asian Flyway: 2001-2005
approved by the 2000 Okinawa Workshop
for Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy: 2001-2005

2.1. Effectively managed network of sites

Anatidae Atlas 1999 preliminarily identified 337 sites of international importance for migratory Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway. At the end of 2000 the Site Network included 7.4% of these sites. Expansion of effectively managed network of sites in the Site Network is a useful mechanism for promoting and delivering conservation efforts. Supporting the appropriate management of habitat and species at each Network Site will be achieved by improving site management skills and building community awareness.

Action 1
Obtain nominations of sites from countries to the Anatidae Site Network in the East Asian Flyway, that include minimum of 10% of Anatidae key sites [Anatidae Flyway Officer, Anatidae Working Group, Governments, Site Management Bodies, Non-government organisations];

Action 2
Develop of the site-twinning programme in the Site Network [Anatidae Flyway Officer, Site Management Bodies, Governments, Anatidae Working Group, Non-government organisations];

Action 3
Encourage the development of management plans for Network Sites [Anatidae Flyway Officer, Anatidae Working Group, Site Management Bodies, Governments, Non-government organisations]; and,

Action 4
Develop the Site Information Sheet and Database for the management of Network Sites, based on the monitoring of the habitats [Anatidae Flyway Officer, Site Management Bodies, Anatidae Working Group, Non-government organisations].

2.2. Development of action plans for globally threatened species

The Strategy: 2001-2005 identified a key element of development of action plans for selected globally/regionally threatened species that have specific needs. Among the Anatidae populations in the flyway, 12 species have been identified as globally threatened.

Action 5
Develop action plans for two priority populations of threatened Anatidae in the flyway; Priority species in 2001-2005 are Swan Goose Anser cygnoides and Baikal Teal Anas formosa. Species of special concern including Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus, Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri and Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus are future target. [Anatidae Working Group, Anatidae Flyway Officer, Non-government organisations, Governments, Site Management Bodies, Wetlands International Specialist Groups].

2.3 Raised awareness of waterbirds and their link to wetlands values and functions throughout the region and at all levels

Public support and participation is essential to ensure the conservation of migratory Anatidae and their habitats. To increase the appreciation of and raise conservation awareness among the people of the region, it is important to expand existing education and public awareness programmes and to develop new programmes.

Action 6
Develop educational materials to promote Anatidae conservation [Anatidae Flyway Officer, Anatidae Working Group, Non-government organisations, Wetlands International Specialist Groups]; and,

Action 7
Develop site-based educational programmes to enhance awareness in the local communities living around the Network Sites [Site Management Bodies, Governments, Anatidae Flyway Officer, Non-government organisations].

2.4. Increased capacity of government agencies and non-government organisations to implement conservation actions for migratory waterbirds

The conservation of Anatidae and their habitats requires a variety of skills. As the existing skills and capacity in the countries vary considerably, it is important to assess training needs and subsequently to provide appropriate training and infrastructure support.

Action 8
Provide access to personnel of Network Sites to existing training programmes on species monitoring and wetland management, and develop and implement training activities [Anatidae Flyway Officer, Anatidae Working Group, Non-government Organisations, Site Management Bodies].

2.5. An enhanced knowledge base and increased information exchange for the sound management of migratory waterbirds and their habitats

In order to implement appropriate conservation activities for migratory Anatidae, it is essential to understand biology, movements and habitat requirements of them. The population status and trends are key requirements to review the conservation status of them.

Action 9
Promote the identification of important sites for Anatidae populations [Non-government organisations, Research Institutions, Anatidae Flyway Officer, Site Management Bodies, Governments, Anatidae Working Group, Wetlands International Specialist Groups];

Action 10
Promote the monitoring of Anatidae populations in the flyway [Wetlands International, Research Institutions, Wetlands International Specialist Groups, Non-government organisations, Site Management Bodies, Anatidae Working Group, Anatidae Flyway Officer]; and,

Action 11
Promote the conduct of research projects on migration of selected Anatidae populations through ringing and satellite tracking [Research Institutions, Non-government organisations, Site Management Bodies, Governments, Anatidae Flyway Officer, Wetlands International Specialist Groups].

Action 12
Assessment of hunting pressure for understanding conservation needs of Anatidae [Anatidae Working Group, Anatidae Flyway Officer, Governments, Non government organisations].

2.6. Enhanced organisational relationships at all levels to increase cooperation and deliver better outcomes

Exchange of information on the migratory Anatidae and experiences in management of their key sites is a basic co-operation to enhance the conservation of them on a flyway basis.

Action 13
Establish human network and/or co-ordinate with concerned organisations to assist in the activities of the Network Sites, and enhance the exchange of information on the conservation of Anatidae populations and their habitat [Anatidae Flyway Officer, Anatidae Working Group, Site Management Bodies, Governments, Non-government organisations, Research Institutions].

The Action Plan will be published and widely distributed in early 2001, as well as the Strategy: 2001-2005 and Action Plans for other two species group. The full document of Anatidae Action Plan will be put on this website, but please request for printed one to the Flyway Officer.

[ Back ]

For further information, please contact the Anatidae Flyway Officer of Wetlands International - Japan, Yoshihiko Miyabayashi, JAWGP, Minamimachi 16, Wakayanagi, 989-5502 Japan (TEL&FAX +81 228 32 2592 / E-mail: yym@mub.biglobe.ne.jp). Posted 19 December 2000.