Bird flu (H5N1) was detected in Victoria for the first time on July 30, and there has now been a case confirmed at Clyde near the shores of Western Port Bay. This raises fresh concerns about the vulnerability of one of Victoria’s most important coastal wetlands and the threatened wildlife that call it home.
As of Wednesday, August 12, 53 cases have been confirmed in wild birds across Victoria, including the case at Clyde, just south-east of Melbourne.
Western Port Bay’s wetlands are critical habitat for wildlife, home to 65% of threatened bird species in Victoria. The arrival of bird flu adds another serious pressure to an already vulnerable ecosystem facing pressure from development, industry and declining water quality along its shores.
The threat extends beyond birds. Bird flu can have devastating impacts on marine mammals, putting animals including Little Penguins and the largest fur seal colony in the world at risk.
Western Port Bay is one of Victoria’s remaining strongholds and important breeding and refuge areas for a number of threatened and vulnerable marine and coastal species. Its wetlands and surrounding waters provide habitat for internationally significant migratory shorebirds, seabirds, waterbirds and marine mammals, including species identified in the Australian Government’s national H5 bird-flu risk assessment.
Species of particular significance to Western Port that are identified in the assessment as being at high, or very high risk from H5 bird flu include:
Western Port is also an important habitat for Critically Endangered Eastern Curlews and Curlew Sandpipers, as well as Red-necked Stints and Australian Pied Oystercatchers – highlighting the extraordinary concentration of threatened and vulnerable wildlife that could be affected by the arrival of H5 bird flu.
With wildlife facing an emerging disease threat, conservationists say Victoria needs to be better prepared – particularly following significant cuts to the government agencies responsible for protecting and responding to threats to wildlife and habitats.
More than 300 DEECA staff and rangers have been cut, reducing the capacity for frontline monitoring, management and response at a time when emerging threats such as bird flu require resources on the ground.
The Victorian National Parks Association and Environment Victoria are calling on the Victorian Government to strengthen the resilience of Western Port Bay’s wildlife by funding frontline responses and committing to a Western Port Framework, including a whole-of-bay plan and dedicated Western Port Fund.
“Western Port Bay is too important to be managed in pieces. Bird flu is another warning that we need to be better prepared for the growing threats facing this precious ecosystem – from habitat destruction and declining water quality to disease,” said Shannon Hurley, Victorian National Parks Association.”
“Working under a whole-of-bay plan would mean we are tackling these threats together – protecting critical habitat, building wildlife resilience and ensuring governments have the resources to respond when a crisis like bird flu hits. Western Port needs a clear plan for its future, and the resources to deliver it through implementing the Framework.”
“There is already broad support for The Framework. The Victorian Government needs to get on with delivering it while we still can.”
‘Bird flu arrived in Victoria less than two weeks ago, and we already have over 50 confirmed cases. It’s fast becoming a crisis for wild birds, and we need urgent emergency funding and immediate action to protect native wildlife and their habitats.’ said Amy Northwood, Environment Victoria’s Community Organiser for Nature.
“We started with cases in the furthest western corner of the state, and now it’s spread rapidly to one of Victoria’s most important strongholds for native wildlife –Western Port Bay.”
“Ramsar wetlands like Western Port Bay support stronger bird populations and give wildlife the best possible chance to withstand disease outbreaks and recover when disaster strikes. Governments must act now to remove all avoidable threats to native bird species to bolster their resilience,” said Northwood.
MEDIA CONTACT:
James Norman, Media and Content Manager – 0451291775
j.norman@environmentvictoria.org.au