Unlikely Low Low Moderate High Very High Rare or Unknown Low Low Moderate High Very High Categories for likelihood are defined as follows: Almost certain – expected to occur every year Likely – expected to occur at least once every five years Possible – occur at some time Unlikely – such events are known to have occurred on a worldwide basis but only a few times Rare or Unknown – may occur only in exceptional circumstances; OR it is currently unknown how often the incident will occur Categories for consequences are defined as follows: Not significant – no long-term effect on individuals or populations Minor – individuals are affected but no affect at population level Moderate – population recovery stalls or reduces – population declines Catastrophic – population extinction
Actions to achieve the Specific Objectives Actions identified for the protection, conservation and management of the species covered by this plan are described below. Some of the objectives are long-term and may not be fully achieved during the lifetime of this wildlife conservation plan. 1 Lead organisations are identified in bold type. Objective 1: Protection of important habitat for migratory shorebirds has occurred throughout the flyway. Action Priority Performance Criteria Threat to be mitigated Responsible agencies1 and potential partners 1a Maintain, and where possible, improve existing international obligations that concern migratory shorebird conservation. High Continue or improve existing international obligations to minimise threats. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Climate variability and change Altered hydrological regimes Australian Government 1b Seek the support of the Chinese and South Korean Governments to protect remaining tidal flats in the Yellow Sea. High Undertake negotiations with the Chinese and South Korean Governments through multilateral environmental agreements and biennial migratory bird consultative meetings. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Altered hydrological regimes Invasive species Australian Government East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership 1c Support the development of a single species action plan for Eastern Curlew through the Convention on Migratory Species. High An Eastern Curlew task is formed and a single species action plan developed by 2017. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Coastal development in Australia Anthropogenic disturbance Invasive species Hunting Australian Government 1d Make available via the website, Australian Government standards and case studies for assessing development proposals that may impact on important migratory shorebird habitats. Medium Development assessment standards relevant to important migratory shorebird habitat are discussed and considered by national governments across the flyway. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Australian Government East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership 1e Support the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership Implementation Strategy. Medium Progress with Implementation Strategy objectives can be demonstrated by 2016. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Australian Government
Objective 2: Wetland habitat in Australia, on which migratory shorebirds depend, is protected and conserved. Action Priority Performance Criteria Threat to be mitigated Responsible agencies1 and potential partners 2a Identify key areas for shorebird species and improve legal site protection and management using international, national and state mechanisms. High An increased number of important sites for migratory shorebirds in Australia are formally recognised as new protected areas by 2020. Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Harvesting of shorebird prey Anthropogenic disturbance Australian Government State and Territory governments Relevant NGOs 2b Update a directory of important habitat for migratory shorebirds. High A review of internationally and nationally important habitat is completed and published by 2018. Coastal development in Australia Altered hydrological regimes Anthropogenic disturbance Australian Government State and territory governments Relevant NGOs Objective 3: Anthropogenic threats to migratory shorebirds in Australia are minimised or, where possible, eliminated. Action Priority Performance Criteria Threat to be mitigated Responsible agencies and potential partners 3a Develop and implement a community education and awareness program to reduce the effects of recreational disturbance on migratory shorebirds. High Community education programs and initiatives implemented, particularly in communities where disturbance is high and where highest risk species exist. Anthropogenic disturbance Australian Government and territory governments Relevant NGOs 3b Investigate the impacts of climate change on migratory shorebird habitat and populations in Australia. High An improved understanding of the effects of climate change on migratory shorebirds can be demonstrated. Climate variability and change Academic institutions Australian Government 3c Investigate the significance of cumulative impacts on migratory shorebird habitat and populations in Australia. High Undertake research to identify the level of threat that cumulative impacts of development have on migratory shorebird habitat. Coastal development in Australia Academic institutions Australian Government 3d Investigate the impacts of hunting and shorebird prey harvesting on migratory shorebirds in Australia and the flyway. Medium An improved understanding of the effects of hunting on migratory shorebirds populations can be demonstrated by 2020. Hunting Fisheries by-catch Harvesting of shorebird prey Academic institutions Australian Government
3e Develop guidelines for wetland rehabilitation and the creation of artificial wetlands to support populations of migratory shorebirds. Medium Guidelines developed to support land managers rehabilitate degraded wetlands are published by 2020. Altered hydrological regimes Invasive species Chronic pollution Acute pollution Australian Government State and territory governments Relevant NGOs 3f Ensure all areas important to migratory shorebirds in Australia continue to be considered in development assessment processes. High All assessments of future developments are undertaken in accordance to the EPBC Act and the associated guidelines and policy documents and take account of information included in the wildlife conservation plan for migratory shorebirds and sources of information. Coastal development in Australia Australian Government State and territory governments Objective 4: Knowledge gaps in migratory shorebird ecology in Australia are identified and addressed to inform decision makers, land managers and the public. Action Priority Performance Criteria Threat to be mitigated Responsible agencies1 and potential partners 4a Identify and prioritise knowledge gaps that are required to support the conservation and management of migratory shorebirds. High Priority knowledge gaps are identified, and responses are agreed and implemented for migratory shorebirds in Australia by 2018. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Anthropogenic disturbance Altered hydrological regimes Invasive species Hunting Harvesting of shorebird prey Australian Government State and territory governments Academic institutions Relevant NGOs 4b Identify important and staging areas for migratory shorebirds in the East Asian – Australasian Flyway. Medium Important stop-over and staging are identified and published by 2020. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Australian Government East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership 4c Survey northern and inland Australia for migratory shorebird populations and identify important habitat. High Priority have been identified and surveyed for migratory shorebird populations by 2020. Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Altered hydrological regimes Australian Government State and territory governments Academic institutions Relevant NGOs
Invasive species 4d Maintain Shorebirds 2020 as Australia’s national shorebird monitoring program. High The Shorebirds 2020 program remains active and relevant over the duration of this plan. Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Anthropogenic disturbance Altered hydrological regimes Invasive species Australian Government Birdlife Australia Relevant NGOs 4e Complete a review of the conservation status of all migratory shorebirds. High The conservation status, including revised population estimates, of all migratory shorebirds is reviewed and published by 2020. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Anthropogenic disturbance Altered hydrological regimes Invasive species Australian Government Academic institutions Birdlife Australia 4f Promote conservation of migratory shorebirds through strategic programs and educational products. High Knowledge of shorebirds and their conservation needs is widespread amongst decision makers and across the community. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Anthropogenic disturbance Altered hydrological regimes Invasive species Harvesting of shorebird prey Australian Government Relevant NGOs State and territory governments 4g Promote exchange of shorebird conservation information between governments, NGOs and communities through use of networks, publications and web High Information on shorebird conservation is available in a form useful to Governments, NGOs, land managers and the community. Coastal development, particularly in the Yellow Sea Coastal development in Australia Climate variability and change Anthropogenic disturbance Altered hydrological regimes Invasive species Australian Government State and territory governments Relevant NGOs