Moreton Bay contains numerous wetlands which are protected under the Ramsar convention and provide habitat to migratory shorebirds that are protected by the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA). Migratory shorebird populations of international significance feed and roost in and near port areas. The progressive reclamation process at the FPE temporarily creates habitat types suitable for shorebirds roosting at high tide and is used by up to 16,000 shorebirds at peak migration times. Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) has also constructed a permanent shorebird roost near the FPE to provide permanent high tide roosting habitat. This, along with other existing high tide roosts around Moreton Bay, will continue to provide long-term habitat for roosting shorebirds following the completion of the FPE.
PBPL has partnered with the Queensland Wader Study Group (QWSG) over the last 25 years to carry out monthly shorebird counts at PBPL’s shorebird habitat areas. PBPL also support QWSG in banding and leg-flagging migratory birds found on port land. Data from these monitoring programs is collated with data from around Queensland and Australia to provide a greater understanding of migratory shorebirds. PBPL has also partnered with tertiary academic institutes to research shorebird population dynamics based on the Port data set. This research has resulted in significant research findings which has directly resulted in changes to the regulatory protection of certain shorebird species in Australia and informed international shorebird management strategies.
Additionally, we also have strong ties to other JAMBA and CAMBA countries and regularly facilitate delegations from these countries to educate them on our shorebird monitoring and management.