S!r '

The East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Reserve Network New Zealand was officiallylaunched on March 26 1996 at the Ramsar Firth of Thames Conference in Brisbane. The success of the launch far Farewell Spit exceededthe best of expectations.A total of ten countries participatedto launch24 sitesas partof the Network. Over 300 peopleattended the launchto hear the keynote The breakdown of countries and sites is shown below. speechesby Senator lan Campbell(Federal Parliament, The list includes 19 full nominations and five sites that Australia), Dr Peter Bridgewater(chair Ramsar mangersformally intend to nominate(in brackets)• Conference and CEO Australian Nature Conservation Agency),Hikari Kobaysaahi(Director Wildlife Protection Russian Federation Bureau,Environment Agency of Japan), Wang Shi Bao MoroshechnayaEstuary (Kamchatka) (Vice Ministerfor Forestry,China) and Faizal Parish (DirectorWetlands International- Asia Pacific). Japan Yatsu tidal flats Followingthese species,representatives of each site Yoshino Estuary participatedin a ceremonyof"putting their siteson the China map". Shuangtaizi Estuary Yellow River Delta The Shorebird Reserve Network launch was the start. (Chongming Island) Over the next four years we need to be organisedto increase awareness and education,training, research and Hong Kong to improvethe managementof importantsites. Mai Po-lnner Deep Cambodia Pleasejoin in this initiative. I would like to hear your (Kaoh Kapik) comments and ideas on the Shorebird Reserve Network and the activitiesthat should be developedwithin it. Philippines Olango Island Doug Watkins,Wetlands International- Oceania, PO Box Indonesia 636, Canberra 2601, Australia. Wasur National Park E-maildwatk/•s•anca. gov.au. Papua New Guinea (Tonda Wildlife Reserve)

Australia Kakadu Parry's Lagoon KoorangangNature reserve Corner Coorong () ()

•-re•, - •a•lea' 7'ae•ler

82