Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00043:reg:5:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00043
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 5 (pt 4/15)
Character Range: 27032–30450

the establishment of a network of internationally important sites for migratory waterbirds throughout the EAAF. The partnership operates via working groups and task forces, one working group and a number of task forces focus on migratory shorebirds. More information about the Partnership is available at: www.eaaflyway.net

7 Important habitat for migratory shorebirds in Australia

           Under the EPBC Act, 'important habitat' is a key concept for migratory species, as identified in EPBC Act Policy Statement 1.1 Significant Impact  Guidelines—Matters of National Environmental
           Significance 2009. Defining this term for migratory shorebirds in Australia is important to ensure that habitat necessary for the ongoing survival of the
           37 species is appropriately managed.

           Important habitats in Australia for migratory shorebirds under the EPBC Act include those recognised as nationally or internationally important (see below). The widely accepted and applied approach to identifying internationally important shorebird habitat throughout the world has been through the use of criteria adopted under the Ramsar Convention. Further assistance in identifying important habitats and survey guidelines for migratory shorebirds is available in EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21—Industry  Guidelines for avoiding, assessing and mitigating impacts on EPBC Act listed migratory shorebird species.

  According to this approach, wetland habitat should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports:
    •       1 per cent of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird or
    •       a total abundance of at least 20 000 waterbirds.

  Nationally important habitat for migratory shorebirds can be defined using a similar approach to these international criteria, i.e. if it regularly supports:
    •       0.1 per cent of the flyway population of a single species of migratory shorebird or
    •       2000 migratory shorebirds or

    •       15 migratory shorebird species.

                                      Photo: Black-tailed Godwit (Graeme Chapman) Photo: Long view northwards of the restored area of dunes behind Merewether Beach (John Baker)

Figure 2 illustrates the process for identifying important habitat for migratory shorebirds under the EPBC Act. This process applies to each of the migratory shorebird species with the exception of Latham's snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) which is treated differently, reflecting its cryptic lifestyle (see below).

         Figure 2. Process for identifying important habitat for migratory shorebirds (excluding Latham's snipe) within Australia.

            Is the shorebird area1  already identified as internationally2  important?

YES

       Important habitat

                  NO

          Does the shorebird area support3:

           a)  at least 0.1 per cent of the flyway population2 of a single migratory shorebird species, or
           b)  at least 2000 migratory shorebirds, or

           c)   at least 15 migratory shorebird species.

    YES Important habitat

                  NO

              Not important habitat

            1. Following Clemens et al. (2010) a shorebird area is defined as: the geographic area that has been used by the same group of shorebirds over the main non-breeding period. This is effectively