France protects Red Knot in French West Indies

[Chris Merkord]

This isn't from the Waterbird Society, but I thought I would post it here anyway.  The following appeared in the Birding Community E-Bulletin:
 
MORE ON SHOREBIRDS IN THE CARIBBEAN

Last month we reported on the changing situation on the island of Barbados, with some encouraging improvements in the area of shorebird conservation:
http://refugeassociation.org/?p=7904/#gauntlet

Now from elsewhere in the Caribbean, specifically the French West Indies (Guadeloupe, Martinique), there is more good shorebird news. Last month, in a decision from Paris, the Ministry of Environment moved to protect the Red Knot from hunting pressure on these islands. Stiff penalties will be applied if a hunter on either of the islands shoots a Red Knot.

Although Red Knots are scarce in the region, this is still an important additional step in terms of shorebird conservation in the Caribbean.