A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

implicated. In the absence of historical data on Spectacled Eider body conditions during
periods of population growth or stability, however, interpretations of the body condition
data will be seriously compromised if valid interspecific comparisons cannot be made.
C. Narrative Outline of Recovery Tasks
The purpose of this Narrative Outline is to identify and describe all tasks presently thought to
be necessary to meet the recovery objective. This list of tasks is based on the best available
information at the time the plan was prepared and the current state of knowledge in
conservation biology. Biological studies recommended in this plan, including some ongoing
projects, will be providing substantial new information about Spectacled Eider ecology,
population dynamics and recovery obstacles. These new data may alter our understanding of
recovery obstacles and influence management recommendations. Hence, this recovery plan
should be reassessed 1 year after initial implementation and at least every 3 years thereafter or
at any time if it becomes apparent that the plan is not fulfilling its function to guide Spectacled
Eider recovery. Reassessment should be based on population trends, on recent and ongoing
research, and on the results of any restoration efforts.
The Narrative Outline is structurally different from previous sections and provides greater
detail to the level of specific tasks. The outline follows the sequence of topics in the Strategies
for Recovery. Within each section, general headings describe common topics under which
similar tasks are grouped. The tasks represent action items. The task numbers in the
Narrative Outline are cross referenced in the Implementation Schedule. Tasks under topics
that are fairly well understood at this time are outlined in more detail (e.g., identify and
monitor breeding populations). For topics that have not been explored to date (e.g., evaluate
physiological condition throughout the year), the tasks in this plan are quite general. The
broadly defined tasks should become more specific, and possibly subdivided, in the future as
our understanding of Spectacled Eider ecology and threats increases.
A. Management Actions
Al. Designate and support a Regional Eider Coordinator to oversee recovery plan
impl~ni~niati~n.. The Spectacled Eider recovery plan proposes a complex, multi-agency,
multi-disciplinary recovery effort with major efforts directed towards public outreach,
population inventory and monitoring, research on population dynamics and the causes for
historical and current population problems, and management efforts to reduce mortality. A
Regional Eider Coordinator is needed to oversee plan implementation and coordinate activities
both among organizations and within Fish and Wildlife Service Divisions. The Coordinator
would ensure that all funded tasks are assigned, implemented, accomplished, reported, and
evaluated. The Coordinator would maintain open communication between all parties,
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