Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00043:reg:14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00043
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 14
Character Range: 6217–8652

14    Appendix A 30

         1 Summary

Migratory species which visit Australia such as shorebirds and seabirds received national protection as a matter of national environmental significance when the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) took effect in
July 2000. Under the EPBC Act, wildlife conservation plans may be prepared for the purposes of protection, conservation and management of listed migratory, marine, cetacean or conservation dependant species.

This Wildlife Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds provides a framework to guide the conservation of migratory shorebirds and their habitat in Australia and, in recognition of their migratory habits, outlines national activities to support their appreciation and conservation throughout the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). The previous Wildlife Conservation Plan
for Migratory Shorebirds came into effect in February 2006, and was the first wildlife conservation plan developed under the EPBC Act.

Based on expert opinion and new information, a review of the previous wildlife conservation plan recommended that Little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius) should be added to the revised list of species covered by the plan. The species is a known regular visitor to northern Australia in low numbers (Geering et al. 2007).

  This revised plan contains clarification of statutory elements of the EPBC Act by addressing topics relevant to the conservation of migratory shorebirds, including a summary of Australia's commitments under international conventions and agreements, and identification of important habitat. It outlines national actions to support EAAF shorebird conservation, and should be used to ensure these activities are integrated and remain focused on the long-term survival of migratory shorebird populations and their habitats.

  The Wildlife Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds will remain in place until such time that the shorebird populations that visit Australia have improved to the point where they do not need research or management actions to support their survival. This plan will be in place for five years and will be reviewed in 2020. It is available for download from the Department's website at:
  www.environment.gov.au/resource/wildlife-conservation-plan-migratory-shorebirds

  Photo: Aerial view of the Oyster Farms and coastal area of Barilla Bay (Nick Rains)