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

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fullest extent where appropriate. This would include working with ammunition marketers
to provide non-toxic shot at reasonable cost.
A9.2. Continue hunter information on non-toxic shot throughout rural areas where
Spectacled Eiders occur. Non-toxic shot information programs teach hunters about the
negative impacts to wildlife from exposure to lead shot in the environment and how to
adjust to using non-toxic shot. This existing State and Federal-run program should be
expanded to ensure that it is available to all hunters within the range of Spectacled Eiders,
so that the threat to Spectacled Eiders from lead shot is eliminated.
A9.3.- Promulgate regulations prohibiting use of lead shot for all hunting within Spectacled
Eider range, beginning with the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The use of lead
shot for hunting waterfowl was banned in 1991 in Alaska. The Service, with involvement
from Native organizations, should propose new regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot
for any purposes within Spectacled Eider nesting range, beginning with Federal refuge
lands. Negotiations fora “date certain” should be completed and an enforcement program
should be implemented after that date. -
AlO. Ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Sections 7 (consultation) and 10 (permitting) of the Endangered Species Act provide essential
tools for avoiding jeopardy to listed species, avoiding or minimizing incidental take, and
promoting full species recovery. These processes also provide valuable opportunities to
inform agencies and scientists of their responsibility to contribute to the recovery program.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act provides a vehicle for management of Spectacled Eiders
through the annual promulgation of sport hunting regulations and case-by-case permitting for
take.
AlO. 1 Implement sections 7, 9, and 10 of the Endangered Species Act. Sections 7, 9,
and 10 should be implemented so as to maximize the effectiveness of these tools for
Spectacled Eider recovery. The protection guidelines in Appendix D should be reviewed
annually and revised as appropriate. Cumulative records of permitted take (section 10) and
incidental take (section 7) estimates should be maintained, with evaluation and
documentation that this level of take is not adversely affecting the species (see task All).-
Spectacled Eider location data should be added to the Service’s endangered species
database and Geographic Information System (GIS).
ALO.2. Monitor scientific collecting of eggs and birds. and sea duck sport hunting
within Spectacled Eider range. Permits may be issued under the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act for scientific collecting of waterfowl eggs or birds within Spectacled Eider nesting
range (permits for scientific collecting of Spectacled Eiders or their eggs may also be
issued under the Endangered Species Act). Because of the potential for misidentifying
similar species, all permit applications should be screened carefully to assure that the
investigators are credible and safeguards are in place to minimize the risk of unintentional
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