I agree.
My wife and I visited the awe-inspiring Mai Po Wetlands in Hong Kong during
their spring (our autumn), this year. We saw Nordmann's Greenshank, Great
Knots and about 70 other species of migratory bird - most of which also stop
by Saemangeum.
This is potentially a huge problem and if we think that it won't affect us
in Oz I fear we are probably mistaken. At the very least, it would be a
tragedy if people throughout the world won't have the opportunity to see
thousands of migratory birds in the one place like we did at Mai Po.
Paul Dodd
PS. We dipped out on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper (although a very serious UK
birder assured us they were due that very day!)
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Jeff Davies
Sent: Monday, 9 July 2007 1:23 PM
To: birding-aus
Subject: Fwd: Restore Saemangeum
There is no excuse for everyone on the forum not responding to this.
Jeff Davies
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Russell Woodford
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 1:10 PM
To: birding birding-aus
Subject: Fwd: Restore Saemangeum
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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