Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Harvest

Note: this is a PRE-conference workshop on July 22 & 23, by invitation only

Organized and facilitated by: Brad Andres, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (brad_andres@fws.gov), Cynthia Pekarik, Canadian Wildlife Service (cynthia.pekarik@canada.ca), Anthony Levesque,Levesque Birding Enterprise (anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr), & Charlotte Francesiaz, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (charlotte.francesiaz@oncfs.gouv.fr)

Purpose: To discuss shorebird harvest practices, including the associated cultural traditions, regulations and policies within the relevant Caribbean countries and jurisdictions of the Atlantic Flyway. The information will be discussed in the context of current scientific knowledge on the status of populations in order to support sustainable hunting.

Introduction: Shorebird hunting has a long history in the Caribbean and northern South America. Information and collaboration is required to 1) determine population-level effects, and 2) develop sustainable harvest policies and practices. Guadeloupe has been central to this effort and has supported shorebird monitoring, research and sustainable harvest initiatives. Government representatives from Guadeloupe helped prepare and ratify a Memorandum of Understanding among Canada, France and the USA to address sustainable shorebird harvest. This workshop will bring together practitioners working on shorebird harvest in the Atlantic Flyway to review progress and plan future work.

Objectives:

· To learn about harvest practices and regulations and current knowledge on the status of shorebird populations.

· To find opportunities for future collaboration for the implementation of sustainable harvest practices and other conservation initiatives for shorebirds.

Session Structure:

· Classroom: July 22nd, 08:00-17:00 at Karibea Beach Resort. Presentations on the work that has been done in each country where shorebird hunting occurs. Attendance by invitation.

· Field Trip: July 23, 07:00-15:00. Tour of a shooting swamp (Port-Louis Swamp) and a multi-use conservation area (Barrage de Gaschet). The field trip will allow for informal engagement with hunters and government officials. Attendance by invitation.

· Evening session: July 23^rd, 18:00-21:00 at Karibea Beach Resort. Presentations and an open discussion on shorebird conservation and harvest. Snacks and drinks will be provided by La Direction de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Lodgement. Open session.