Incheon Civic Groups Say "Downgrading the Endangered Status of the Black-faced Spoonbill by Two Levels Is Premature"

Submission of Statement to International Organization IUCN

Civil society organizations in the Incheon area have expressed concerns over the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s move to downgrade the endangered status of the Saunders's gull by two levels.

The Incheon Tidal Flat World Natural Heritage Registration Promotion Cooperation Group, composed of 64 civil society organizations, announced on the 12th that it recently submitted a statement expressing this position to the IUCN.

In their statement, the organizations argued, "Although the Saunders's gull population has increased globally from about 2,000 in 2010 to over 6,000 earlier this year, lowering the endangered status by two levels from 'Endangered' to 'Near Threatened' rather than a one-level adjustment to 'Vulnerable' is premature."

They added, "In Incheon, there have been voluntary and active efforts by citizens every year to maintain nesting sites, provide nesting materials, and monitor the breeding process. Without these citizen efforts, the Saunders's gull population would not have increased and might have faced extinction."

Ganghwado Mudflat Black-faced Spoonbill Breeding Site
[Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

They further pointed out, "More than 90% of the global breeding population of Saunders's gulls breed on uninhabited islands along the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, with breeding sites in Incheon's tidal flats and coastal areas such as Ganghwa Island, Yeongjong Island, and Namdong Yusuji accounting for a significant portion. We are concerned that downgrading the endangered status by two levels could adversely affect the protection and conservation of the Saunders's gull and its habitat."

The cooperation group urged caution, stating, "Plans for bridges (roads) crossing the tidal flats are underway, surrounding rice paddies are gradually disappearing, and development plans are progressing in areas used as resting sites during high tide. The Saunders's gull habitat continues to face threats of destruction. Therefore, the adjustment of the Saunders's gull's endangered status should be approached carefully."

The international organization IUCN is reportedly collecting opinions from related organizations and groups to review the endangered status adjustment of the Saunders's gull.

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