The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Conservation of Migratory Waterbirds signed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Environment Bureau of the Government of Incheon Metropolitan City takes effect today (November 27). The MoU strengthens the conservation of migratory waterbirds especially the Black-faced Spoonbill, and establishes the Sister Flyway Network Sites Arrangement between Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Songdo Tidal Flat in Incheon pursuant to the Sister Site Program of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP).
      
     Mai Po Inner Deep Bay and Songdo Tidal Flat, both of which are located in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, are important coastal feeding and roosting grounds for threatened waterbirds that migrate along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway annually. By establishing the sister arrangement between these two Flyway Network Sites under the MoU, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, and the Director General of the Environment Bureau of the Government of Incheon Metropolitan City, Mr Baig Hyeon, endeavour to collaborate in promoting conservation of these wetlands and migratory waterbirds, especially Black-faced Spoonbills, which have been recorded in both sites. Areas of cooperation include information exchanges, capacity building, enhancement of public awareness on conservation and initiation of collaboration with relevant authorities and organisations.   
      
     The Assistant Director (Conservation) of AFCD, Mr Simon Chan, will attend the Songdo Urban Waterfowl Wetland Development Conference, hosted by the Incheon Metropolitan City Government, EAAFP, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and the Korean Wetlands Society tomorrow (November 28) to share experiences on wetland conservation and management.

Ends/Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:30

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