All that makes sense but surely the relevant part of the reason is to pander
to people who do not have the skills or interest to recognise this species
(or probably several other ones), so that the system does not get involved
in debating whether someone made an identification or shooting error. The
bureaucracy would have a hard task prosecuting that, given the likely
defence. I would suspect that as the reason rather than what it eats or that
it associates with other waterfowl species that do harm crops, which is of
course a cop out. Maybe it does not help that it has a name that refers to a
feature barely visible at shooting range.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Chris King
Sent: Tuesday, 25 June 2013 4:53 PM
To: Erica Trinder
Cc: Birding Aus
Subject: Duck Shooting in NSW
Hi Erica
It is dismal. At the risk of being political, below is part of an email from
the National Parks Association (a not for profit group, not associated with
the government National Parks) showing that at least there is some
opposition and that other groups care about the pink-eared ducks in NSW!
Chris
"In the last two years, the NSW government has made a series of alarming
environmental decisions that seriously threaten the future of our national
parks and wildlife. Many of these decisions are based on political deals
made with the Shooters and Fishers Party, rather than credible scientific
evidence.
Nothing illustrates this quite as clearly as the case of the Pink-eared
Duck<http://npansw.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=42506f0673a573cdc6034c9
ec&id=6808d64a1c&e=30cd68c91f>.
This beautiful Australian bird has recently been added to the list of native
game species that can be legally hunted on private land in NSW. According to
the Legislation, ducks can only be shot for the purposes of 'sustainable
agricultural management', primarily to protect rice crops. However, the
scientific literature indicates that the Pink-eared Duck is an insect eater
and doesn't consume rice or other crops. In reality the Pink-eared Duck
serves as a farmer's friend, preying on insects that are major rice pests.
If left unharmed this unique little duck could even help reduce pesticide
use on these crops.
Based on the species feeding habits, the NPA provided evidence for a recent
private member's Bill calling for Pink-eared Ducks to be removed from the
list of native game birds. However, despite clear scientific evidence that
the decision to cull this species is fatally flawed, the government will not
support the Bill, claiming that the Pink-eared Duck associate with other
waterfowl species that do harm crops. So for no other reason than that they
"hang out" with the wrong crowd the government has made it legal to shoot
this unique native species.
We use this example to highlight how bad recent environmental decisions
have been in NSW and why we fear for the future. If this was not ominous
enough a serious new threat is now emerging out of the recent inquiry into
the management of public lands, chaired by Shooters and Fishers MLC Robert
Brown, whose recommendations include opening national parks to logging, and
imposing a moratorium on the creation of new national parks.
With the help of our supporters, NPA has been driving a successful high
profile campaign against hunting in national parks that has helped delay the
start of the program. However, as you have just read hunting is no longer
the only major threat our parks and environment face and we need to broaden
our campaign to tackle these new, emerging dangers.
*Please make a donation and help us to protect our national parks **and
unique species, such as the Pink-eared Duck, for future generations to
enjoy."*
On Mon, Jun 24, 2013 at 11:17 PM, Erica Trinder
<>wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering what people think / feel / know about recreational
> shooting of NSW waterbirds?
>
> When I say recreational shooting, that's what it of course is. But it
> is being politically disguised under the "pest management" banner by
> the O'Farrell government. They're calling it a cull! Yet they have now
> added the pink-eared duck to the hit list. Despite the fact they are
> claiming they are doing this cull for the rice and grain farmers
> (claiming the birds eat their crops), yet the pink-eared duck eats
> insects, not grains.
>
> For more on the latest from the O'Farrell government giving in to
> every desire of the 2 Upper House NSW Shooters MP's, see:
>
> http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/duck-season-puts-ofarrell-in
> -crosshairs-20130621-2onxa.html
>
> I'm very interested in people's thoughts and comments on this topic.
>
> My interest in this is that I care deeply for all animals, and will
> fight to the death for them. I've been going down to Victoria for many
> years to protect and rescue our native water birds during the annual
> duck shooting season. However, the state of things in NSW is quite
> possibly a whole lot worse, as it takes place on private property all
> year round, where it can't be monitored. I've heard terrible stories
> of as many as 3000 birds being killed (I hate to think how many were
> not killed outright, but seriously
> wounded) in a single days shooting on a single property. But no one aside
> from the shooters and farmers really knows exactly what's going on...and
> they're certainly not telling. I'd appreciate the thoughts and knowledge
of
> people in the bird loving community.
>
> --
> Erica Trinder
> CatRescue Coordinator
> (m) 0416 741 020
> (e)
> (w) www.catrescue.com.au
> (f) Like CatRescue NSW on Facebook
> <http://www.facebook.com/CatRescueNSW>
> ===============================
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