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Results of the First Large-scale Study into Mist Netting

To: Gary Wright <>
Subject: Results of the First Large-scale Study into Mist Netting
From: Carl Clifford <>
Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2011 18:36:41 +1000
Hi Gary,

I have not read the full paper and have never been involved in any type of trapping, save for rabbits, so I can't really comment on it. I posted the item for those in both the pro and anti trapping camps on B- A. I do believe though, that those involved in trapping activities in Australia have similar animal welfare standards to those that scientist carrying out trapping mammals. Most, if not all, avian species in Australia that would be subject to trapping programs would have a protected status under various State and Commonwealth Legislation, which running afoul of, can be expensive, if not providing an unexpected holiday at the Government's expense. Believe me, the damage done by trapping in Australia, is nothing compared to what is going on in SE Asia. There the lucky bird end up in a cage.

I heartily agree with you on habitat destruction on the flyways but I don't think that the problem is mainly in the poorer countries: unless you call a country that has 1.9 trillion US dollars stuck under their mattress for a rainy day, such as China has, poor And Korea is not exactly doing too shabbily. Unless the rest of the world can persuade these two countries to stop migratory species habitat destruction, I can see the majority of these species near, if not fully extinct in the wild by the end of this century, if not earlier.

Cheers.

Carl Clifford
On 04/08/2011, at 9:41 AM, Gary Wright wrote:

Hi Carl

I think the study reported does not give useful information in relation to the problems of mist netting. The reason for this is that the study consists of self reporting of banders, who have a self interest in providing favourable information. This is why self regulation does not work.

I believe that the rate of injury is probably low, but I am aware of birds having died from being left in capture bags for too long in sun, for example. Or related issue of mammals dying of cold in traps overnight. Any trapping of the animal must put the animal at risk and the benefit is often highly questionable.

For example in the case of cannon netting of waders, it is my understanding that the flyways of waders are well known and habitat destruction is the biggest threat. Protection of habitat should be the priority and Australia hasn't even managed to protect its own RAMSAR listed wetlands(Coorong) let alone other poorer countries protecting theirs.

I believe we should look after habitats and not stress more birds by netting.

Gary

On 4 August 2011 04:19, Ian May <> wrote:
g'Day all

Whilst the inevitable questions should be asked about the validity of information supplied by bird_bandin organisations about injury and death of birds caused by their own banding operations, it should be recognised that the said report deals only with mist netting. (see http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/channel/newsitem.asp?c=11&cate=__10933 )

The minimal impacts of this relatively passive technique cannot be compared to the highly destructive impacts caused by c_annon_netting and the subsequent leg_fl_agging of our most vulnerable "small migratory wader species" where, after being subjected to these hideous research practices, most of the tagged birds almost certainly die on their next migration

For example, have a look at the wader photos, especially the Great Knot on the first page of this. http:// www.globalflywaynetwork.com.au/ Expand the photos, look at the multiple fl_ags on both legs and ask yourself, could this impact on its ability to feed, migrate and breed?

Urgently needed is an “independent" study into the destructive impacts caused by c_annon_netting and leg_fl_agging especially addressing small migratory waders (Great Knot and smaller) and multiple ta_gging impacts.

Furthermore, an immediate three-year Australia moratorium c_annon_netting and leg_fl_agging should be implemented. This would provide the opportunity for all interested observers to participate and evaluate the impacts that will either expose the damage being done or put the matter to rest.

An immediate ban would enable independent field observers to seperate surviving individuals from the presence of recently fl_agged birds and avoid confusing results but to achieve this, it is imperative to instigate a ban now, before any of this season returning migrants are leg_fl_agged


Regards


Ian May
PO Box 110
St Helens, Tasmania. 7216
Mob: 0428337956


Carl Clifford wrote:

Dear B-A,

The interesting results of the first large scale study into mist netting have recently been published. An over-view of the results and a reference to the paper can be found at http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/channel/newsitem.asp?c=11&cate=__10933

Cheers,

Carl Clifford
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