Extent and impact of hunting on migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific: is there enough evidence? Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao a,b,* , Tiffany H. Morrison b,c , Bradley K. Woodworth a , Alexander C. Lees d,e , Liliana Naves f , Ding Li Yong g , Chi-Yeung Choi h , Taej Mundkur i , Jeremy Bird a , Anuj Jain g , Konstantin Klokov j , Evgeny Syroechkovskiy k , Sayam U. Chowdhury l , Vivian Wing Kan Fu m , James E. M. Watson b,n , Richard A. Fuller a a School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia b School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia c ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Australia d School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK e Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA f Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Subsistence, Anchorage, USA g BirdLife International (Asia), 354 Tanglin Road, #01‐16/17, Tanglin International Centre, Singapore 247672, Singapore h School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China i Wetlands International, Ede, Netherlands j Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia k All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Conservation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Moscow, Russia lBangladesh Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation Project, House # 16/C (Flat # 501), Tallabag, Sobhanbag, Dhaka – 1207, Bangladesh m East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, Republic of Korea n Global Conservation Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460 USA *Presenter: Taej Mundkur, [email protected]Migratory shorebirds are declining in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). While many factors are at play, there is concern that hunting might be contributing to their decline. However, our understanding of hunting (by any method, including legal and illegal take) as a threat in this flyway is currently insufficient to inform policy, as no study has considered it at a flyway scale. Hence, we present a synthesis and analysis of the state of knowledge on hunting of migratory shorebirds in the EAAF. We ask: i) what is the temporal, spatial, and taxonomic extent of hunting?; ii) what are the potential population-level effects?; and, iii) what are the knowledge gaps? To that end, we conducted an exhaustive literature search ranging from 1970 to 2017 and aggregated data focusing on uncertainty in different dimensions (i. e., spatial, temporal, taxonomic, and demographic). We discovered that hunting has been pervasive temporally, spatially, and taxonomically. We found 224 spatially explicit records of shorebird hunting from 97 references corresponding to 166 geographic locations or areas in 17 countries. In all, 46 of the 61 species occurring in this flyway, including 12 of the 14 species of conservation concern, have at least one record of hunting since 1970. When considering the number of records of hunting per species, twelve are within the upper quartile of the frequency distribution, which includes six species of conservation concern. Based on thresholds of sustainable harvest, we discovered that hunting has likely occurred at unsustainable levels for at least two species. Furthermore, and given our data limitations and emerging information, the hunting of shorebirds is likely to be far more widespread in the flyway and affecting a wider suite of species. An important next step is to undertake
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Extent and impact of hunting on migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific: is there enough evidence? Eduardo Gallo-Cajiaoa,b,*, Tiffany H. Morrisonb,c, Bradley K. Woodwortha, Alexander C. Leesd,e, Liliana Navesf, Ding Li Yongg, Chi-Yeung Choih, Taej Mundkuri, Jeremy Birda, Anuj Jaing, Konstantin Klokovj, Evgeny Syroechkovskiyk, Sayam U. Chowdhuryl, Vivian Wing Kan Fum, James E. M. Watsonb,n, Richard A. Fullera aSchool of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia bSchool of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia cARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Australia dSchool of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK eCornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA fAlaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Subsistence, Anchorage, USA gBirdLife International (Asia), 354 Tanglin Road, #01‐16/17, Tanglin International Centre, Singapore 247672, Singapore hSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China iWetlands International, Ede, Netherlands jSaint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia kAll-Russian Research Institute for Nature Conservation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Moscow, Russia lBangladesh Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation Project, House # 16/C (Flat # 501), Tallabag,
Sobhanbag, Dhaka – 1207, Bangladesh
mEast Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, Republic of Korea nGlobal Conservation Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460 USA *Presenter: Taej Mundkur, [email protected] Migratory shorebirds are declining in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). While many factors are at play, there is concern that hunting might be contributing to their decline. However, our understanding of hunting (by any method, including legal and illegal take) as a threat in this flyway is currently insufficient to inform policy, as no study has considered it at a flyway scale. Hence, we present a synthesis and analysis of the state of knowledge on hunting of migratory shorebirds in the EAAF. We ask: i) what is the temporal, spatial, and taxonomic extent of hunting?; ii) what are the potential population-level effects?; and, iii) what are the knowledge gaps? To that end, we conducted an exhaustive literature search ranging from 1970 to 2017 and aggregated data focusing on uncertainty in different dimensions (i. e., spatial, temporal, taxonomic, and demographic). We discovered that hunting has been pervasive temporally, spatially, and taxonomically. We found 224 spatially explicit records of shorebird hunting from 97 references corresponding to 166 geographic locations or areas in 17 countries. In all, 46 of the 61 species occurring in this flyway, including 12 of the 14 species of conservation concern, have at least one record of hunting since 1970. When considering the number of records of hunting per species, twelve are within the upper quartile of the frequency distribution, which includes six species of conservation concern. Based on thresholds of sustainable harvest, we discovered that hunting has likely occurred at unsustainable levels for at least two species. Furthermore, and given our data limitations and emerging information, the hunting of shorebirds is likely to be far more widespread in the flyway and affecting a wider suite of species. An important next step is to undertake
further ground surveys to gather new empirical data, which can in turn form the basis of coordinated monitoring programmes. Theme: Conservation Management Preferred option: Oral Presentation
First attempt of evaluation of shorebird hunting in Kamchtka
Konstantin B. Klokov1, Yuri N. Gerasimov2 , Evgeny E. Syroechkovskiy3
1 Saint-Petersburg State University
2 Kamchatka Branch of Pacific Institute of Geography FED RAS/BirdsRussia
Kamchatka Branch
3 All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Conservation
Hunting on shorebirds in the Northeast of Russia (most northern part of EAAF) may negatively impact shorebird populations especially threatened species. The first ever attempt to evaluate hunting pressure (legal and illegal) on shorebirds was started in the Russian Far East in January 2019. First year we were focused on Kamchatka and tried to get a first very general idea where, how and how many shorebirds are harvested. Special attention was given to Whimbrel – the most commonly shot shorebird and endangered Far Eastern Curlew (FEC). We have developed a methodology, which includes analysis of ring recovery data (thanks to Russian Bird Ringing Center) to identify places of active hunting for shorebirds, anonymous social surveys of hunters as well as informal interviews with specialists of the Forestry and Wildlife Protection Agencies and leaders of hunters' societies. Our first preliminary evaluation showing annual harvest of 45,000 shorebirds in Kamchatka by legal hunters, of which 37,000 were identified by hunters as Whimbrel (including young FEC, which still have short bills in August and possibly other bigger shorebirds), about 1,600 of large and medium size shorebirds definitely not Whimbrels and about 6,000 small shorebirds of different species. In addition shorebirds are shot by poachers. 90% of interviewed legal hunters have difficulties with identifying of shorebird species, may shoot Bar-tailed Godwit and FEC together with Whimbrel and are not aware of shorebird declines and conservation needs. Considering that Whimbrel are also harvested elsewhere, our results suggest that flyway Whimbrel’s population estimate of 55,000 birds is about 3-4 times
lower than in reality. Our migration observation of Whimbrels in Kamchatka also confirm this. In future we hope to visit areas of possible shooting of Spoon-billed Sandpipers, other key shorebird hunting areas in Kamchatka, verify FAC shooting by participating autumn hunting sessions and start surveying Sakhalin. Theme: conservation management
Preferred Option: Oral Presentation
Promoting alternative livelihoods in Myanmar and Bangladesh to reduce hunting pressure on Spoon-billed Sandpiper and other shorebird species Sayam U. Chowdhury1,2 1. Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force, EAAFP 2. Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Intertidal mudflats along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF) support more than 50 million migratory birds each year, including 33 globally threatened species. These mudflats are also among the most threatened habitats on Earth, due to infrastructure developments and hunting of shorebirds. The critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper (SBS) Calidris pygmaea breeds in Russia and winters in South and South-east Asia. It is a flagship species for the EAAF, being the most threatened species on the flyway and evolutionarily distinct. The global population was declining rapidly and projected to be extinct by 2020 without intervention. The most imminent threat was hunting on the non-breeding grounds, particularly in Myanmar and Bangladesh, but also habitat lost on the non-breeding grounds such as China. Action has been undertaken throughout the flyway by a broad partnership through the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force (SBS TF) - EAAFP. Since 2009 Bangladesh SBS Conservation Project (BSCP) and Biodiversity & Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) have been working in Bangladesh and Myanmar in collaboration with SBS TF, RSPB, ICFC, WWT and BirdLife International on threatened shorebirds with a special focus on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Hunting of shorebirds is being addressed by providing alternative livelihood support to individual shorebird hunters at the Gulf of Mottama and Nan Thar Island in Myanmar and Sonadia Island in Bangladesh. Non-hunting agreements signed with over 50 ex-hunters, who have been provided alternative, sustainable and legal livelihoods in both countries. In addition, local communities are further engaged through various outreach events. There are encouraging signs that these conservation measures are working so far, but these need to be continued and expanded. Theme: hunting mitigation Preferred Option: Oral Presentation
