Published Thursday, 11 September, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Threatened species seek out our shores
The State Government is encouraging Queenslanders to take a bird’s eye view of our coastal protected areas.
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara said Threatened Species Week was a timely opportunity to remind people they are not the only visitors to Queensland’s coastline.
“Each year more than a million migratory birds travel up to 10,000km to and from Australia, often feeding and roosting alongside resident species on our coast, coral cays and islands,” Mr McNamara said.
“Queensland’s unique network of coastal protected areas includes the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, island national parks and wetlands of international significance.
“This network is critical to the survival of many rare and threatened migratory birds — the southern giant petrel, little tern, eastern curlew, and red-tailed tropicbird to name just a few.
“After breeding in the northern hemisphere, migratory birds return to our shores for summer, where they join breeding resident birds such as the beach stone-curlew and sooty oystercatcher.”
“Offshore islands such as the Capricornia Cays are particularly important as they are internationally significant breeding areas for species such as wedge-tailed shearwaters and black noddies.”
Mr McNamara said Australia currently had mutual migratory bird agreements with Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, and habitat protection was a major aim of all three agreements.
“Migratory birds need protected areas — free from disturbance and predation — to feed, rest and build up depleted energy reserves, and resident birds also need protected areas for breeding, “he said.
“The isolated nature of islands provides this protection, but careless use of our oceans, beaches and waterways has a direct impact on many of our threatened species.
“Everyone can make sure our coastal protected areas remain safe havens for both our migratory and resident birds.
“Please behave responsibly on beaches and mudflats, keep dogs under control and well away from feeding, roosting and nesting sites, and always prevent pollution from entering our waterways.”
It is estimated that of the 1145 plants and 289 animals presently listed as rare and threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, about 73 percent of birds, 69 percent of mammals, 57 percent of reptiles and 50 percent of plants are known to live in, or use habitats in protected areas.
To learn more about activities planned for Threatened Species Week visit www.epa.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Emma Parnell Ph: 3336 8002
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara said Threatened Species Week was a timely opportunity to remind people they are not the only visitors to Queensland’s coastline.
“Each year more than a million migratory birds travel up to 10,000km to and from Australia, often feeding and roosting alongside resident species on our coast, coral cays and islands,” Mr McNamara said.
“Queensland’s unique network of coastal protected areas includes the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, island national parks and wetlands of international significance.
“This network is critical to the survival of many rare and threatened migratory birds — the southern giant petrel, little tern, eastern curlew, and red-tailed tropicbird to name just a few.
“After breeding in the northern hemisphere, migratory birds return to our shores for summer, where they join breeding resident birds such as the beach stone-curlew and sooty oystercatcher.”
“Offshore islands such as the Capricornia Cays are particularly important as they are internationally significant breeding areas for species such as wedge-tailed shearwaters and black noddies.”
Mr McNamara said Australia currently had mutual migratory bird agreements with Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, and habitat protection was a major aim of all three agreements.
“Migratory birds need protected areas — free from disturbance and predation — to feed, rest and build up depleted energy reserves, and resident birds also need protected areas for breeding, “he said.
“The isolated nature of islands provides this protection, but careless use of our oceans, beaches and waterways has a direct impact on many of our threatened species.
“Everyone can make sure our coastal protected areas remain safe havens for both our migratory and resident birds.
“Please behave responsibly on beaches and mudflats, keep dogs under control and well away from feeding, roosting and nesting sites, and always prevent pollution from entering our waterways.”
It is estimated that of the 1145 plants and 289 animals presently listed as rare and threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, about 73 percent of birds, 69 percent of mammals, 57 percent of reptiles and 50 percent of plants are known to live in, or use habitats in protected areas.
To learn more about activities planned for Threatened Species Week visit www.epa.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Emma Parnell Ph: 3336 8002