Hello Simon
Thank you for your reply. No, my comments about BA supporting cannon
netting and wader leg flagging are not meant to be a digression but
intended to demonstrate the cultural difference between the clubs.
This is an important distinction and if the BOCA bird friendly ethic is
to be maintained within an amalgamated structure, the new organization
can not support destructive research practices such as bird banding.
Regarding your other comments about the use of shark liver and other
berley on pelagic trips, in the context of the discussion about club
amalgamation proposals I think this subject may be an excellent topic
for a separate discussion.
In respect to your reply below, over the years I have carefully
considered the potential impact from chum use on birding pelagics. My
conclusion is that provided "fresh, uncontaminated chum" is used,
adverse impacts on sea birds are negligible because, usually months
occur between scheduled pelagic birding trips, chumming stops are brief
and in these circumstances it is most unlikely that any birds would hang
out to their detriment away from normal feeding grounds. In this
scenario, pelagic birding impacts are of no concern.
Sea bird behaviour change caused by attraction and dependence to
discarded offal from some commercial fishing boats during extended trips
is a potential concern. Birds may stay with a boat for great distances,
possibly drawing away and separating from their natural feeding
grounds. However experience shows that at sea, where there is
available food, there are usually birds.
Regarding your other comments about the collection of shark liver
contributing to potential impacts on already over fished top line
predators, it should be noted that shark fishing in Australia is part of
a sustainable managed fishery Sharks are not caught here for
harvesting of livers. Livers are normally discarded at sea as offal
during the gutting process. Shark livers retained for pelagic birding
operators are separated out by the fishing operators more often as a
favour in exchange for a contribution of some pocket money for the crew
who collect it. In Australia the keeping of shark livers for pelagic
birding does not provide any additional incentive or reason for fishing.
Regards
Ian May
St Helens, Tasmania
currently at Price SA
Mob: 0428337956
Simon Mustoe wrote:
Ian,
I'm not sure how wader study activities are a factor in the merger between BA and BOCA. Surely that's an animal welfare issue and a digression? Birding pelagics use copious amounts of shark liver and are contributing to over-fishing of top predators and, at the same time, modifying the behaviour of seabirds at sea (an equally manifest animal welfare issue and something I personally have strong views on). However, despite the fact that BOCA and BA run pelagics, I would never consider this to be an over-riding factor in any decision to support / not support a merger. It just doesn't make sense. There are much more significant conservation issues at stake.
Regards,
Simon.
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:48:06 +1030
From:
To:
CC: ; ;
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Combining BA - BOCA About Bloody Time!
Its interesting how people can have such a different view on the same
subject. I disagree with the amalgamation proposal. Traditionally the
two organizations follow different policies offering separate
attractions to their members . Does this mean now that BOCA supports
cannon netting and wader leg flagging with all the hideous impacts
caused to birds by this practice? Although once upon a time I was
involved with field collecting and banding projects, I observed the
evils of it and now, I would prefer to support an organization that
pursues passive study methods. In the past BOCA stood apart from the
other organization by always insisting on welfare of birds first and
pursuing an agenda based on passive field study which earned my respect.
Another major issue is the different financial commitments of each
organization. Effective conservation land management is very expensive
and BA appears to have over committed itself in land acquisition
projects. While strategic land acquisition for nature conservation is
a worthy practice, will BOCA members now have to pickup costs of running
over stretched BA reserves?
I think amalgamation with BA is a bad move, will do nothing for the
conservation of birds but will leave a great space for a new
organization to fill the niche.
Cheers
Ian May
St Helens Tasmania
Simon Mustoe wrote:
Hi,
I just want to say how utterly delighted I am to receive a letter proposing the possible integration of BA and BOCA in future. At a time when we should be focused entirely on conservation, it is unthinkable that our peak bird conservation groups should remain divided.
I don't care how it is done...we need a national peak conservation group representing birds and the Australian landscape. How fitting that this effort should begin during the 2010 year of biodiversity.
Good on you everyone at BA and BOCA involved in this. I completely endorse what you are trying to do and hope that your respective committee's can find the same common ground in the meeting rooms, as our bird life and Australia's birders do in the bush.
Cheers,
Simon.
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