I find this conversation very interesting and am always interested to know the
"why" behind conservation law. I'm not sure when the following was written, but
it's a species account put together by the Canadian Wildlife Service and the
Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Harlequin Duck has been protected in Canada as a migratory game bird since
the Migratory Birds Convention Act became law in 1917, although a complete ban
on hunting the species in eastern Canada only came into effect in 1990. Also in
1990 the eastern population was listed as "endangered" by the Committee on the
Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
There are many possible reasons for this endangerment. On their breeding
grounds in Labrador and Quebec, Harlequin Ducks find fewer suitable breeding
sites, as some rapids are stilled behind hydro dams. The once remote areas used
by breeding birds are increasingly the sites of hydro developments, mines, and
access roads.
On wintering areas, threats include oil spills and other human disturbance. The
threat posed by disturbances to habitat is intensified by the strong attachment
of Harlequin Ducks to specific wintering sites. Because a large proportion of
the eastern North American population concentrates along the Maine coast during
the winter, potential oil spills in the Gulf of Maine are a major concern. One
spill in this area could have a significant impact on the total population.
Similarly, other human disturbances in wintering areas could affect survival.
Birds cannot feed effectively if they are avoiding humans and may use much of
their energy reserves necessary for survival. During the moulting period, the
birds are particularly susceptible to disturbance and oil pollution because of
their inability to fly. Human activity in both wintering and breeding areas may
decrease the food supply for Harlequin Ducks.
The Harlequin’s relative tameness and tendency to feed close to shore in some
locations may make the bird vulnerable to hunting. Moreover, female and young
Harlequin Ducks are difficult to identify. The incidental killing of Harlequins
during the hunting of other waterfowl is an especially serious threat.
There may be other reasons why the eastern population is declining. Pollution
and changes to water quality may be contributing factors. Acid precipitation
and atmospheric fallout of heavy metals in breeding areas may be harming the
aquatic insects that nourish the ducks during the breeding season.
The Eastern North American Harlequin Duck Recovery Team began recovery efforts
shortly after the eastern population was listed as "endangered." In 1995, it
completed a plan that outlines necessary actions such as enforcing hunting bans
more strictly, protecting and enhancing habitat, developing environmentally
sustainable plans for major disruptions (such as hydro dams and mines) on the
Harlequin’s habitat, and promoting public support for conservation activities.
It is now illegal to hunt Harlequin Ducks in the Atlantic Provinces, Ontario,
Quebec, and in the eastern United States, where most birds winter. Hunting
closures have not been implemented in western Canada, where hunting of the
species is thought to be rare. However, recent information suggests that the
western population could be declining. A review of the status of the western
population and of the current monitoring programs is underway.
The public has an opportunity to contribute to recovery efforts by supporting
conservation measures. Hunters, too, can play a part. Handouts describing how
to identify Harlequin Ducks are available, and hunters are urged to familiarize
themselves with the appearance of all ducks they might encounter and to
identify targets accurately before shooting."
On Monday, December 12, 2022 at 07:29:57 AM EST, Geo Kloppel
<[email protected]> wrote:
I imagine the legal status of eastern Harlequin Ducks is regularly mentioned
in hunter education courses run by the wildlife management agencies in the
various states and provinces. In 1990 the Committee on the Status of Endangered
Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) listed the entire eastern population of Harlequin
Ducks as endangered. Hunting Bans followed in Ontario, Quebec, the Maritime
Provinces and the eastern United States.
https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/ec/CW69-14-274-2014-eng.pdf
-Geo
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