A Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Lime05, banded in Chukotka, Russia, was recorded at Rudong, PR China. Photo courtesy: Eugene Cheah
SUPPORTED by the YSLME Phase II Project, the 1st Institute of Oceanography of State Oceanic Administration of PR China completed a study to support the government of Rudong in Jiangsu Province of PR China to establish Xiaoyangkou wetland as a National Marine Protected Area for consideration by the State Oceanic Administration of PR China.
The Xiaoyangkou wetland is one or the most important habitats for waterbirds in the Yellow Sea, according to a 2016 study of the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resource Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is critical to the survival of many migratory waterbird species using the East Asian-Australian Flyway. It is the staging and over-wintering habitats for migratory waterbirds, and home to about 370 birds recorded in this area.
Some critically endangered species like the spoon-billed sandpiper, Baer’s Pochard and white crane, can be found in the area, too, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species 2015.
The detailed information on the importance of Rudong coastal wetlands, threats and managemnet actions needed in the report are meant to support Rudong’s efforts for the conservation of protected areas, strengthening laws and regulations, and gaining access to some funding for research, among others.
Proposal to Establish Xiaoyangkou a National MPA prepared by Dr. Zhaohui ZHANG, First Institute of Oceanography of State Oceanic Administration of PR China.
