Environment and Conservation
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
July 13, 2010Coastal
Stewardship Agreement Signed in Cartwright
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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