Yellow-Billed Loon Subsistence Harvest in Alaska: Challenges in Harvest Assessment of a Conservation Concern Species

Abstract

The yellow-billed loon Gavia adamsii was designated as a candidate species for listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2009. Subsistence harvest was identified as a threat based on the 2007 harvest estimate for the Bering Strait region of Alaska. This estimate was unusually high and inconsistent with data on the species' abundance and distribution. We conducted this study in 2011-2012 on St. Lawrence Island, in the Bering Sea, to fulfill data needs related to this Endangered Species Act listing process. Our objectives were to clarify 1) loon species harvested, 2) numbers of loons harvested, and 3) loon harvest methods and uses by local subsistence communities. We conducted harvest surveys, ethnographic research, and shore-based bird counts. Loons were ,1% of all bird harvest. Pacific loons Gavia pacifica were 96% of observed loons and likely comprised the majority of loons harvested. Local ethnotaxonomy grouped loons by size (large or small) and overall plumage (breeding or nonbreeding), differing from scientific taxonomy. We found no evidence that loon migratory aggregations occurred near St. Lawrence Island or that intense harvest effort targeted loons. We estimated that five yellow-billed loons were harvested annually in 2011 and 2012. Hatch-year loons were likely at least half of the loon harvest, lessening effects of harvest on loon populations. Our study exemplifies the importance of using multidisciplinary approaches and engaging subsistence users to improve harvest assessment and inform wildlife conservation policy.

Emperor goose fall–winter harvest monitoring and hunter's perspectives in Alaska

“…The AMBCC survey fall–winter harvest estimates (extrapolated numbers) of emperor goose in 2017–2019 averaged 991 birds/year for the Bering Strait‐Norton Sound and Yukon‐Kuskokwim Delta regions, although confidence intervals around these estimates were wide (Table 1). These estimates suggest that current harvest levels in these regions in the fall–winter regulatory season are similar to those for 1987–2016 during the harvest closure (724 birds/year, Table 2; Wentworth, 2007; Naves, Knight, & Mengak, 2021). Historically, more than half of the emperor goose harvest in these two regions occurred in spring–summer, although fall–winter harvest in the Bering Strait‐Norton Sound also was substantial (Table 2).…”

“…Participation may increase over time as hunters become more familiar with this relatively recent program. However, the older tundra swan permit reporting illustrates persisting challenges for implementing some harvest regulations in rural Alaska (see also Naves et al, 2010; Schmidt & Chapin III, 2014). The fall–winter emperor goose and tundra swan requirements contrast with historical advocacy by Alaska Native leaders for traditional hunting practices for migratory birds and opposition to western harvest management tools such as permits, bag limits, and agency‐driven law enforcement (AMBCC, 2023b).…”

“…Prior to these season closures, the average fall-winter emperor goose harvest (1966)(1967)(1968)(1969)(1970)(1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985) was 1097 birds/year as measured by a survey largely representing urban hunters (Crowley, 1998;Trost & Drut, 2003). In the years following the agreement for cessation of subsistence harvest (1987-2016), the average emperor goose estimated harvest in rural regions was 3354 birds/year and 367 eggs/year (including all seasons and regions) (Naves, Knight, & Mengak, 2021;Wentworth, 2007). Rural harvests may have been underestimated because of harvesters' reluctance to report take of a closed species.…”

Bycatch of Loons Assessed in Coastal Arctic Char Fisheries in the Canadian Arctic

“…At the population level, the number of Pacific loons (likely ≥500,000 individuals; Russell 2020) is increasing and red-throated loon numbers (likely ≥40,000 individuals in North America; Rizzolo et al 2020) are decreasing, but both fall in the "Least Concern" category internationally (BirdLife International 2022). However, yellow-billed loons are the least numerous of the Arctic loons (≤32,000 individuals; Uher-Koch et al 2020) and numbers are decreasing, considered in part due to subsistence harvest in the Bering Sea region (Earnst 2004, although recent studies suggest harvest may be lower than previously thought; Bentzen and Robards 2014;Naves and Zeller 2017). Nonetheless, the species is listed as "Near Threatened" (BirdLife International 2022).…”

“…However, yellow‐billed loons are the least numerous of the Arctic loons (≤32,000 individuals; Uher‐Koch et al. 2020) and numbers are decreasing, considered in part due to subsistence harvest in the Bering Sea region (Earnst 2004, although recent studies suggest harvest may be lower than previously thought; Bentzen and Robards 2014; Naves and Zeller 2017). Nonetheless, the species is listed as “Near Threatened” (BirdLife International 2022).…”