Offshore and Overlooked

Recommended Updates to Sea Duck Population Objectives

Sea duck population recommendations were developed in consultation with the Sea Duck Joint Venture (SDJV). The SDJV Continental Technical Team considered new information available since the 2018 Update and recommended numeric objectives for Hudson Bay common eider and bufflehead, and adjustments to population size estimates for several other sea duck species. Insufficient information exists to calculate population estimates or objectives for many sea duck species. Additional supporting information and discussion may be found in the 2024 Update Technical Report and in Appendix D.

  1. Broadly, while progress has been made in sea duck monitoring, more resources should be directed to acquiring information on sea duck population status.
  2. Continue current operational surveys, including WBPHS, Central Arctic Canada Pacific Common Eider Breeding Survey, Parts Collection Survey, Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program, Arctic Coastal Plain Survey, Quebec/Newfoundland Common Eider Winter Survey, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Aerial Survey and the Pacific Black Scoter Breeding Survey.
  3. Apply the results of CWS's experimental scoter survey work to improve the current WBPHS for late-nesting sea ducks through design revisions or augmentation.
  4. Improve estimates and the ability to discriminate between goldeneye and merganser species in aerial surveys by analyzing/modeling sources of error in the existing WBPHS merganser and goldeneye data.
  5. Incorporate the Sea Duck Key Habitat Sites Atlas into coastal habitat Joint Venture planning (including the Great Lakes), as well as marine spatial planning and environmental assessments, to help direct habitat conservation to the most important sites for sea duck populations.
King eider standing on grassy ground with one wing raised in warm light.
King eider stretching one wing in warm evening light.
Mathew Schwartz