Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) management plan: chapter 7
SUMMARY TABLE - MANAGEMENT
Table 1. Each item has corresponding text within the plan. Priorities are defined as: Legal = a legal requirement as dictated by legislation; Urgent = top priority action; Necessary = needed to evaluate and guide conservation actions; Secondary = beneficial if urgent actions are already underway; Ongoing = action that has been started in the past and is presently still ongoing; Beneficial = action would be beneficial to our understanding of Harlequin Ducks but is not a priority.
Population Management | ||||
Requirement | Obj. | Action Item | Specific steps | Notes |
Legal | 1 | Maintain and enforce hunting ban | · Maintain and enforce the ban on hunting Harlequin Ducks. · Maintain communication with CWS Waterfowl Committee and counterpart in the USA · Maintain communication with the enforcement organizations associated with migratory bird hunting |
Hunting ban is in effect in the Atlantic Flyway. There are no indications that this ban should be removed |
Urgent | 2 | Develop a monitoring strategy, and data presentation format. | · Work with scientists and statisticians to assess present monitoring structure and determine statistical validity in assessing population status in eastern North America · Consultation with scientists and jurisdictions to determine optimal structure of the strategy if changes are deemed necessary · Work with other jurisdictions and groups to implement the monitoring program |
CWS-NL to lead this initiative |
Necessary | 2 | Develop a dynamic population model | · Determination of available population data · If there are knowledge gaps, attempt to fill those gaps with scientific investigation · Compile data and develop model · Present model in peer reviewed journal |
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Necessary | 3 | Delineate management units | · Based on current scientific knowledge of the species, attempt to delineate management units · Based on knowledge gaps determined in step 1, complete all necessary research to definitively outline management areas in eastern North America and Greenland · Combine that effort with the creation of element of occurrences (Eos) |
Population Management (continued) | ||||
Requirement | Obj. | Action Item | Specific steps | Notes |
Necessary | 6 | Ensure publication and/or distribution of relevant data | · Promote the publication of shelved data · Promote the publication of studies · Work with other jurisdictions to ensure that data and studies relevant to Harlequin Duck recovery and conservation get published in some capacity |
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Ongoing | 2, 6 | Maintain databases and share with Conservation Data Center (CDC) or CDC equivalent organization | · Continued collection of data on Harlequin Duck sightings and surveys · Maintain relationship with local CDCs or CDC equivalent organization · Work with CDC or CDC equivalent organization to determine Harlequin Duck element occurrences (EOs) in eastern Canada |
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Ongoing | 2 | Continue winter monitoring | · Continuation of wintering monitoring at established sites: 1) Cape St. Mary’s, NL; 2) Ile au Haut, ME; 3) The Wolves, NB; and 4) Sachuest Point, RI · Revisit methods to determine that the number of sites and the methods used are adequate for assessing the status of the wintering population · Compile and distribute the data annually |
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Beneficial | 2 | Plan and implement Harlequin Duck surveys | · Compile survey and incidental sighting information · Collect anecdotal information · Based on these data and knowledge of the landscape, determine areas of potential habitat that would benefit from additional and focussed survey efforts · Attempt to survey these indicated areas over time |
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Beneficial | 2, 7 | Develop Greenland monitoring strategy | · Discuss possible monitoring programs with Greenland and Dutch biologists | Not relevant to Canadian legislation |
Habitat Protection |
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Requirement | Obj. | Action Item | Specific steps | Notes |
Legal | 3 | Protect Harlequin Ducks on federal property | · Overlay present knowledge of Harlequin Duck locations with the federal lands database to determine key areas on federal lands where Harlequin Ducks are found. · Consult with jurisdictions to determine protective status of the area. · Work with the other federal departments to ensure these sites are recognized andappropriate protocols are put in place to protect/conserve the locations. |
CWS-NL, AC CDC, and Parks Canada are already pursuing this in the Atlantic Region. PCA is also pursuing this in Québec |
Necessary | 5 | Work with forestry companies to minimize impacts on Harlequin Duck breeding habitat | · Establish stronger ties with the forestry industry regarding SAR issues. · Share data where and when possible to inform companies of areas used by Harlequin Ducks. · Develop codes of conduct for forestry activities in known Harlequin Duck habitat. · Work with the forest companies and the applicable government departments to implement these codes of conduct and standards regarding Harlequin Ducks. |
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Necessary | 5 | Maintain and improve relations with hydroelectric companies to protect Harlequin Ducks | · Maintain a strong working relationship with hydro companies where such a relationship already exists. · Regular communication with biologists from hydro companies to inform them of where Harlequin Ducks are located and how they are utilizing the area. · Continued vigilance with proponents of small scale and local hydro development projects. |
Small scale hydro power may become an issue in parts of the region. Future large scale hydro projects are pending in some areas |
Necessary | 5 | Develop relationship with aquaculture industry to protect Harlequin Ducks | · Establish formal connection with aquaculture industry in the region. · Develop codes of practices and standards near known Harlequin Duck habitat. · Work with the aquaculture companies and the applicable government departments to implement these codes of conduct and standards regarding Harlequin Ducks. · Provide the industry representatives with key locations for Harlequin Ducks. |
Habitat Protection (continued) | ||||
Requirement | Obj. | Action Item | · Specific steps | Notes |
Necessary | 1, 4 | Prevent offshore oil dumping | · Maintain efforts in offshore programs of CWS and other jurisdictions. · Regularly survey Harlequin Duck concentrations for oil contamination in areas with busy shipping lanes. · Improve the profile of the Harlequin Duck within the shipping industry and within local communities in areas where ship traffic is high and there are known concentrations of Harlequin Ducks: o Targeted education programs o Community or industry based stewardship initiatives |
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Necessary | 1, 4 | Monitor and work to mitigate pesticide use | · Establish the network to determine where spraying programs will be initiated and conducted. · Develop codes of practice and standards regarding the use of pesticides in areas with Harlequin Ducks. · Mitigate effects on Harlequin Ducks where overlap exists. |
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Beneficial | 3 | Refine a habitat protection strategy | · Determine key habitat locations based on survey and incidental Harlequin Duck data. This can be done in conjunction with EO analysis with local CDCs. · Determine amount of required habitat to ensure long term conservation of Harlequin Ducks. · Work with other jurisdictions and NGOs to ensure proper protection for these areas. |
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Beneficial | 3, 4, 5 | Train Environmental Assessment officers and biologists in multiple departments, jurisdictions, and organizations | · Relevant to all species at risk · Prepare a training program · Educate on codes of practice and standards · Program to include EA officers and biologists in addition to private sector biologists and industry. |
Research | ||||
Requirement | Obj. | Action Item | Specific steps | Notes |
Urgent | 1, 4 | Develop Threat Assessment | · Consultation is required with the Provinces. · Literature review. · Ensure threats are differentiated per geographic area. |
Threat assessment is considered a priority with jurisdictions and may guide management decisions |
Necessary | 1, 4 | 1. Study impacts of threats 2. Study impacts of human encroachment |
· Completion of a detailed Threat Assessment for each area of their range in eastern North America. · Using the assessment, determine the most relevant threats to Harlequin Ducks. · Determine knowledge gaps associated with the threats · Develop a schedule of studies to address improved knowledge of the impact of the threat and the possible mitigation. · Details of the development of the impact studies will need to be developed and may vary among locations. |
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Necessary | 6 | Analyze gaps | · Identify the short-comings in the conservation efforts based on the threat assessment, monitoring program, and education · Develop programs and studies to address our knowledge gaps. |
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Ongoing | 2, 6 | Complete mark-recapture study | · Use this data to generate a population model for eastern Harlequin Ducks. · Such a model will provide insight into population viability, extinction probability, and minimum viable population values. |
Analysis nearing completion. Results to be published in CWS Occasional Paper in 2007. |
Ongoing | 2, 6 | Complete genetic analyses | · Continued communication with geneticists to establish most up to date information. · Interpretation of the data to better delineate distribution, overlap and potential metapopulations of Harlequin Ducks in the east. · Develop a schedule of studies if required. |
Analysis is ongoing. This will be relevant to the determination of Management Units |
Beneficial | 3, 6 | Study habitat | · If possible, create a habitat model for Harlequin Ducks based on known river and coastal habitat parameters · Use this information to predict carrying capacity for Harlequin Ducks. |
Will be difficult to accomplish due to a lack of information at the river and coastal areas |
Socio-Politics and Communications | ||||
Requirement | Obj. | Action Item | Specific steps | Notes |
Necessary | 5, 7 | Develop and deliver educational materials | · Deliver targeted education to hunters and aboriginal groups · Consultation required to determine effective education tools · Development of general distribution materials. · Educational materials needed for Greenland to address the hunting issue. This is contingent upon support and cooperation from Greenlandic officials. · Publicize conservation programs and progress in the local and national media in multiple forms. |
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Necessary | 5, 6 | Develop and promote codes of practice | · Compile a list of relevant jurisdictions and people · Develop Environmental Assessment standards of information that need to be considered when assessing projects that may impact Harlequin Ducks. · Develop codes of practice and standards regarding activities that may impact Harlequin Ducks that can be used in environmental assessments. · Work with these other jurisdictions to ensure proper training on SARA issues and species. · Ensure that Harlequin Ducks are properly represented within all Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessment laws. |
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Necessary | 2, 5, 6 | Prepare and distribute report | · To be completed every three years. | |
Beneficial | Stewardship promotion | · Communicate with local NGOs, community groups, and local development associations to educate them on Harlequin Ducks and Harlequin Duck conservation. · Facilitate and foster communities and NGOs to take an active role in Harlequin Duck conservation especially in areas where there are known concentrations of Harlequin Ducks. · Continue to work with partners in ongoing Harlequin Duck stewardship initiatives. · Implement Coastal Stewardship Initiative with NL Provincial Government. |
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Beneficial | 4 | Conduct public information sessions | · Conduct local presentations and information sessions in communities and schools. · Maintain contact with organizations, schools, and NGOs in areas where Harlequin Ducks are common. |
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Beneficial | 4 | Educate law enforcers | · Develop educational and information packages for law enforcement agencies on Harlequin Ducks. · Conduct training sessions on Harlequin Ducks and other species at risk to ensure that issues are clear and that the species are known. |
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