Another bivalve victim (moderated)

[Frank O'Connor <>]

Geoff Jones wrote :

> I think what most of us who are concerned about the
> Cannon Netting process would like to see some independent
> observers at the Cannon netting sites. Unfortunately it
> maybe in the best interest of the participates not to
> report any injuries to the birds as it may affect their
> funding and that could been seen as a conflict of interest.
> I am sure that both parties have the welfare of birds at
> heart and it would great if we could all work together to
> ensure the survival of as many species as possible with
> minimal impact on the birds well being.

The north west wader expeditions are not a closed shop.  They
are open to volunteers (everyone is a volunteer, and they pay to cover
the costs).  There is no "funding" other than by the
participants themselves, although the WA Department of Environment &
Conservation (DEC) usually funds two overseas participants from the
flyway, and DEC provides a trailer.  It is not a holiday
though!!!  It is during the wet season.  They are long
days.  The net set is just after dawn (usually 05:30).  You
also are part of cooking teams, laundry run, cannon cleaning team, leg
flag making team, etc.  You are encouraged to make short
presentations after the evening meal, so it is rare to retire before
21:00.

There are outside people involved on most occasions.  There is very
often an AQIS officer who takes samples for the disease testing. 
The local aboriginal rangers are involved.  They also take a large
control of the monthly mud sampling for invertebrates.  There are
members of the public who are staying at the BBO, or sometimes day
visitors to the BBO and they are encouraged to participate. 
Sometimes the media is present.  At 80 Mile Beach there are
regularly staff from the station who participate on their day off. 
Perhaps these people are not independent enough for you, but it would be
impossible to cover up any problems.  I am not a bander.  I am
simply a volunteer when I join most of the expeditions.  I certainly
ensure that any problems that I see are reported (but I have never had to
do anything as it has always happened).

I can ensure you that all deaths and injuries are reported on the cannon
net summary sheets, including birds taken by raptors on release (so there
are strict controls on how to release birds).  If a bird is killed
or injured, then there is discussion of what happened during the debrief
in the evening.

_________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor           Birding WA http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au
Phone : (08) 9386 5694              Email :

===============================

To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to: 

http://birding-aus.org
===============================