Lead Institution(s): Canadian Wildlife Service
Project Lead: Garnet Raven
Collaborator(s): Lynne Dickson (CWS), SDJV, CWS, PCSP, IWMAC
Focal Species: Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Project Description: The Bathurst Inlet area, including Melville Sound, Parry Bay and Elu Inlet, supports about 25% of Canada’s breeding population of Pacific Common Eider. The North American eider population experienced a marked decline in recent years and is believed to be at moderate risk from resource development. Likely the entire Canadian breeding population stages in the southeastern Beaufort Sea for 2-3 weeks during spring migration, hence they are highly vulnerable to development of offshore oil and gas reserves in that region. Three mines are currently under way in the Bathurst Inlet area, as well as a proposal for a port and road to the interior. The resulting habitat loss and increased human activity in the area are an additional threat to the Pacific Common Eider. This survey provides a breeding population estimate for the Bathurst Inlet area and a baseline for both monitoring abundance in the area and tracking population trends continentally. Survey results also provided information on key areas for nesting eiders. A comparable survey was conducted in 1995, and thus will add to our knowledge of population trend for the Pacific Common Eider.
SDJV80 Interim Report FY06
SDJV80 Interim Report FY07
SDJV80 Final Report FY08
Related Publications
Raven, G. H., and D. L. Dickson. 2009. Surveys of Pacific Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima vnigra) in the Bathurst Inlet area of Nunavut, 2006-2008. Technical Report Series 503, Canadian Wildlife Service, Edmonton, Alberta. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2011/ec/CW69-5-503-eng.pdf
