Wildlife Tasmania

Native Waterbirds Under Pressure from Shooting

At a time when native waterbirds are being severely impacted by limited habit and adverse climatic conditions, shooters are claiming to have bagged over 35,000 ducks during this year's open season. The figures are provided by the Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW) and compiled from shooters' licence returns. Animal and environment groups are seriously questioning the validity of the figures.

“Rescuers, shooters, Department officials and anyone witness to the season opening declared it be one of the quietest ever.” said Chris Simcox of Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania, “Given that there was no improvement to bird numbers during the season, there is no possibility that shooters could have bagged that many native ducks. Perhaps the question should be: If a shooter kills a duck and nobody else sees it, did the duck really exist?”

“We believe that the shooters are distorting the truth.” announced Peter Power of Wildlife Tasmania, “Their logic follows the line that the more ducks shot, the more ducks there must be. And the more ducks there are, the better their chance of getting a season next year. If the DPIW February counts found only about 14,500 native ducks, and the shooters say they bagged more than 35,000, are there any native ducks left in Tasmania? Of course Field and Game Australia will say that shooters have no impact on duck numbers.”

Professor Richard Kingsford conducts annual surveys of waterbirds over south-eastern Australia each year, with this year being the first to take in wetlands over the whole of Australia. The most recent report shows that waterbird numbers have plummeted by 82% over the past 25 years, many species are near their lowest recorded levels, and the total wetland area is the lowest on record.

“We raise the question yet again as to why recreational shooting is still permitted in Tasmania.” declared Mr Simcox, “All five game species of native ducks are quite nomadic, moving in both directions across Bass Strait. The observations made by Professor Kingsford apply equally to Tasmania, as many birds move here in times of drought. This puts the onus on the Tasmanian government to protect waterbirds seeking refuge here, particularly in dry times.”

A Common Position Statement calling for a permanent ban on shooting of waterbirds was recently presented to the federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett. This document is supported by more than 135 groups around Australia. In recognition that the long term future survival of some species is seriously at risk, these groups are calling for Mr Garrett to take responsibility for introducing a nationwide ban on recreational shooting of waterbirds.

For more information contact:

Chris Simcox, Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania, Ph: 0429 015 110

Peter Power, Wildlife Tasmania Ph: 0417 017 105