birding-aus

Fwd: Restore Saemangeum

To: Russell Woodford <>
Subject: Fwd: Restore Saemangeum
From: David Stowe <>
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 21:56:41 +1000
Only 97 emails sent to the Australian ambassador so far.
Denise has a very good excuse, but it would be fantastic if more people can take the 30 seconds that it took me to send the email.
Thanks RIcki for sharing.

http://www.restoresaemangeum.com

Cheers
Dave


On 09/07/2007, at 1:09 PM, Russell Woodford wrote:

From Ricki Coughlan

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ricki Coughlan <>
Date: 9 July 2007 1:02:28 PM
Hi All

In April 2006 a 33km seawall was completed at Saemangeum on the Yellow Sea coast of South Korea. The wall excluded the tide from 400 square kilometres of mudflat which was the most important staging area for many species of migratory shorebirds which visit the Yellow Sea as they travel ffrom Australia to their breeding grounds in Siberia each year. This action completed the creation of the now infamous Saemangeum Reclamation Area. It will certainly increase pressure on the Threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann's Greenshank, both of which number 1000 or less individuals. There is every likelyhood that the reclamation will bring about a reduction in migratory shorebird numbers overall - as former visitors to Saemangeum compete with other populations around the Yellow Sea for resources - and we are particularly concerned about the one third of the global population (280,000) of Great Knot which relied upon this region for refuelling before proceeding to their Siberian breeding grounds each year.

The South Korean government can find no use for the "reclaimed" site but, despite this, there is no realistic chance of having the wall removed. The chances are good that some of the site can be returned to nature if the sluice gates on the wall are fully opened, permitting the reintroduction of a tidal flow and I am appealling to all of you to assist me in calling for this take take place. You can do so by visiting http:// www.restoresaemangeum.com. Admittedly, the likelyhood of attaining even this concession is not good. However, to do nothing will only encourage continued reclamation activity on more sites along the South Korean coastline and beyond. This is part of a range of actions which are currently in train and which are aimed at restoring Saemangeum and discouraging further reclamations in the region so please lend just a few moments to act on behalf of the magnificent migratory shorebirds.

Regards

Ricki Coughlan
Cremorne Point, Sydney

http://www.restoresaemangeum.com



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