The Town of Cartwright made a commitment today to protecting the habitat of the common eider duck habitat in Cartwright by officially signing a coastal stewardship agreement with the Provincial Government. The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, was on hand for the signing.

"This program is designed to foster cooperation among the town, local residents, interest groups and the partners of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, and help ensure the sustainability of eider duck populations," said Minister Johnson. "The signing of a coastal stewardship agreement in Cartwright is a testimony to the community's dedication to conserving this species and its habitat, and I congratulate them on their efforts."

In 1986, in light of a drastic decline in North American waterfowl populations and in an effort to effectively reverse the trend, the governments of Canada and the United States signed the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) with a goal to return waterfowl populations to 1970s levels by actively conserving wetland and upland habitat. In 1994, Mexico signed on to that agreement making it a truly continental initiative.

To implement NAWMP, joint ventures were established throughout North America. The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) was established in 1989. Partners are the six eastern provinces, Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador division of the EHJV is administered through the Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation.

"I am very pleased to participate in the signing of this stewardship agreement and enhance awareness around the importance of conserving coastal waterfowl, which has special relevance for the residents of Cartwright," said Minister Hickey. "This innovative program helps communities strike a balance between the environment and community development, while helping ensure that wildlife resources are protected."

"This agreement is of great importance to Cartwright, as well as the larger Table Bay ecosystem and the sea duck populations using it," said Cartwright Mayor Rosetta Holwell. "This is a wonderful initiative that highlights our focus on environmental stewardship."

The Coastal Stewardship Program was developed by EHJV to encourage communities that have a historic relationship with coastal areas frequented by eider ducks to recognize the value of this resource and to accept a stewardship role in maintaining their integrity. Common eiders nest on coastal islands and rear their young on the shoals that are usually associated with these islands and along nearby coastlines. Significant concentrations of overwintering eiders can be found in these areas.

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