Last year and in January this year, a survey of water-birds was conducted at wetlands under the plan of the Asian Water-bird Census (AWC). The survey proved that main migrants sanctuaries in the country are up to the standard of the Ramsar Convention.

In this regard, Ri Chung Song, section chief of the Biodiversity Institute under the State Academy of Sciences, told KCNA:

More than 100,000 water-birds were observed in 22 survey areas last year. And 144,800-odd water-birds of nearly 50 kinds were confirmed in 31 areas this year.

Black-faced spoonbills, hooded cranes, swan gooses, pochards and long-tailed ducks in danger of extinction worldwide were newly observed not only in the Mundok Migrants Sanctuary, registered on the list of wetlands of international importance (Ramsar List) and acceded to the Ramsar Convention, but also in Kangryong, Kumya, Kwangpho and Tongjongho migrants sanctuaries and Kumsanpho tideland, Ongjin Bay and estuary of Rimjin River.

In particular, 21 kinds of water-birds and more than 45,400 water-birds were observed in Phanmun Plain and the waters off West Sea Barrage respectively. The facts go to prove that the country's ecological environment and biological diversity are very favorable for water-birds' inhabitation

The DPRK has set 30-odd migrants sanctuaries along the eastern and western coasts and taken thorough measures for their protection.