A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A. Status of the Spectacled Eider - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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A6. Develop <strong>and</strong> coordinate information <strong>and</strong> education activities. The <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong><br />
I&E program should be directed at three audiences: Native Alaskans in rural Alaska, <strong>the</strong><br />
general public in Alaska, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> general public outside Alaska. The I&E activities directed<br />
toward Alaska Natives should be focused primarily in those villages within <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong> that currently harvest or have harvested <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong>s. Current emphasis<br />
on steel shot education <strong>and</strong> negotiations culminating in a “date certain” for cessation <strong>of</strong>lead<br />
shot use in Yukon Delta eider habitat should be continued. The I&E program should be<br />
developed from an Alaska Native perspective, as part <strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong> Agreement. The<br />
Native Liaison would coordinate implementation <strong>of</strong> I&E directed toward Alaska Natives, in<br />
consultation with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Service</strong> <strong>and</strong> Native organizations on <strong>the</strong> YKD, NS, <strong>and</strong> Bering Strait. -<br />
Regions.<br />
Outreach activities are also needed for <strong>the</strong> general public, regionally <strong>and</strong> nationally. These<br />
audiences should be informed about <strong>the</strong> roles <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Endangered Species Act <strong>and</strong> Migratory<br />
Bird Treaty Act; <strong>the</strong> need for eliminating intentional harvest <strong>and</strong> avoiding incidental take; -<br />
items <strong>of</strong>general biological <strong>and</strong> ecological interest; <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> recovery program. I&E activities<br />
targeting limited audiences should also be developed where appropriate, such as soliciting<br />
eider observation records from Bering Sea vessel operators. The Regional <strong>Eider</strong> Coordinator<br />
would oversee <strong>the</strong> general I&E program, with substantial contributions by <strong>the</strong> Native Liaison<br />
<strong>and</strong> agency staffs (I&E program initiated in 1991).<br />
A7. Evaluate <strong>the</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong> Agreement annually. -<br />
A7. I Evaluate <strong>and</strong> recommend revision <strong>of</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong> Agreement activities where<br />
appropria1~ With assistance from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong> Recovery Team <strong>and</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong><br />
Agreement partners, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Service</strong> should annually review whe<strong>the</strong>r: (1) <strong>the</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong><br />
Agreement are effective in reducing subsistence harvest <strong>of</strong> <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong>s; <strong>and</strong> (2)<br />
Alaska Natives are participating in <strong>the</strong> decision-making process for <strong>the</strong> recovery program.<br />
The effectiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> I&E programs, regulatory protection under <strong>the</strong> Endangered<br />
Species Act <strong>and</strong> Migratory Bird Treaty Act, <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r strategies for addressing subsistence<br />
harvest should be included in <strong>the</strong>se annual reviews. These evaluations should consider<br />
adequate time allowances for implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong> Agreement. Based on<br />
<strong>the</strong>se reviews, implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong> Agreement may be revised by joint<br />
agreement. The annual review should continue until viable populations capable <strong>of</strong><br />
sustaining harvest have been achieved. Refer to related tasks Fl <strong>and</strong> C5.3.<br />
A7.2. Promulgate regulations pursuant to section lO(e)(4) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Endangered Species Act<br />
to prohibit take <strong>of</strong> <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong>s by Alaska Natives for subsistence purposes. -<br />
Contingent upon results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> annual review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong> Agreement (task A7. 1),<br />
including <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> harvest on <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong> populations, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Service</strong> may find that<br />
it is necessary to initiate action to prohibit subsistence take <strong>of</strong> <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong>s under <strong>the</strong><br />
Endangered Species Act. Specific efforts directed at subsistence take <strong>of</strong> <strong>Spectacled</strong> <strong>Eider</strong>s<br />
should be addressed initially through <strong>the</strong> Memor<strong>and</strong>a <strong>of</strong> Agreement (task A4). If full<br />
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