UK #BirdFair 2015 theme announced #StopTheSlaughter in the Eastern Mediterranean

Following a record breaking Birdfair 2014, a £280,000 cheque was handed to BirdLife International to help advance the designation of new marine protected area and to enrich worldwide marine wildlife.

At the same time Birdfair also revealed details of their latest fund raising project, ‘Hope for migratory birds in the Eastern Mediterranean: action against illegal killing’. The aim of the project will be to reduce the scale and impact of illegal killing of migratory birds, and to improve protection and laws throughout the region.

Last year’s Birdfair was dedicated to raising money for the ‘Protecting the World’s Seas and Oceans’ project. The funds will be spent on ensuring that marine protected areas cover critical at-sea habitats for seabirds and other mobile marine species, around Europe, Africa, Antarctica and the high seas.

These sites will protect critical breeding and feeding areas, as well as areas vital for seabirds on migration. The project will potentially benefit a high number of seabirds and may boost the number of rare seabirds visiting UK shores such as Balearic shearwater.

Conserving threatened seabirds

BirdLife International’s Chief Executive, Patricia Zurita, said: “BirdLife International and our Partners working in marine protected areas are very grateful to the Birdfair. This cheque will enable us to work with national governments to create a network of areas that will conserve threatened seabirds, marine mammals, fish stocks and other species. Your support this year will help our partners in the Mediterranean basin tackle the illegal killing of migrant birds, addressing a key threat that our partnership has prioritised.”

The RSPB’s Head of Marine Policy, Tom Hooper, said: “There is a wealth of marine species that are currently at risk because of a lack of protection against the threats facing them. The ocean covers the majority of the Earth’s surface yet only a pin prick of it is under protection by law.

“Overall our aim is to make sure that UK marine life is protected within a ‘network’ of marine protected areas. These are intended to prevent damaging human activities so that habitats and species can revive and thrive.

“The network of marine protected areas around the UK is now quite well evolved but there are still elements missing that mean it is not yet capable of restoring marine life. There are areas that are highly productive and important feeding grounds but are not protected. This means that many seabirds are threatened by human activity around the areas in question. Effective management and protection would mean areas can be revived for future generations to enjoy.”

Birdfair 2015 – stop the slaughter in the Eastern Mediterranean

Millions of birds are illegally killed in the eastern Mediterranean each year, these White Storks were shot in Lebanon

Millions of birds are illegally killed in the eastern Mediterranean each year, these White Storks were shot in Lebanon

Birdfair Co-Organiser, Tim Appleton, said: “I am delighted that through Birdfair we can highlight the major issues for migrating birds in this region of the Eastern Mediterranean, millions of birds are being slaughtered illegally as they fly to their breeding grounds and then return to their wintering grounds. It has to stop before it’s too late for many vulnerable species.”

The Eastern Mediterranean is used by hundreds of millions of migratory birds twice yearly on their migration between Europe and Africa, each spring and autumn. The Africa-Eurasia flyway is used by more than 25 species of bird facing the threat of global extinction, including Sociable Lapwing and Northern Bald Ibis – two of the world’s rarest birds. Sixty-four of the 188 songbirds using the flyway are in decline, including European Roller and Red-backed Shrike.

Unfortunately, the birds passing through this region are being seriously affected by illegal, indiscriminate killing, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. This threat is believed to be a major factor in the decline of many species, and appears to be getting worse. Moreover, it is undermining important conservation gains that have been made for key species elsewhere in their ranges. Illegal killing is a problem throughout the region, but is worst in Egypt and Lebanon. For example, it has been estimated that more than a million birds are trapped in mist-nets on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt every autumn.

Funding from the Birdfair 2015 will allow us to tackle this problem at both regional and national levels. Regionally, we will establish a Flyway Facility in the BirdLife Middle East office; secure high-level political support; catalyse action under the Convention on Migratory Species and African–Eurasian Waterbird Agreement; strengthen alliances with responsible hunters; and secure funding for the longer term. National work will focus on Egypt and Lebanon, and will involve establishing an illegal Hunting Unit within the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency; improving the understanding and enforcement of relevant laws; increasing public awareness of the problem and political/religious support; building civil society alliances for responsible hunting; and supporting responsible hunting leaders and groups.

 

This year’s Birdfair will take place at Rutland Water, Leicestershire, Fri 21 – Sun 23 August 2015

Find out more about this year’s fair and book your tickets online at www.birdfair.org.uk