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Background
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) was launched in 1986 with the signing of an
agreement between Canada and the United States. Mexico joined the program in 1988. The Plan provides a policy framework for analysing North American waterfowl issues.
It sets out a number of objectives relating to waterfowl habitat and populations, with a focus on conserving and expanding wetland areas.
NAWMP is based on the principle of joint ventures that serve as a framework for the activities of its private and regional member agencies.These partners
co-ordinate their efforts in the pursuit of common objectives for waterfowl protection in each region, province or state.
NAWMP was officially launched in Québec in 1989 with the adoption of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV), in which the other provinces of Eastern Canada also participate. The purpose of this 15-year plan is to protect and increase waterfowl resources by conserving, enhancing and expanding wetlands.
The plan is being implemented in Québec under a standing partnership between the Québec Department of the Environment and Wildlife, the Fondation de la Faune du
Québec, the Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Wildlife Habitat Canada. Various agencies, associations and corporations such as Hydro-Québec contribute to projects which interest them,
financially or otherwise.
The main focus of NAWMP action in Quebec is on protecting habitat and restoring wetlands along the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa Rivers and Rivière Saguenay, and in
the Abitibi area.
Spending is expected to total $13 million, spread over 20 sites across Québec. Nearly half of these funds will be devoted to the Lac Saint-Pierre region, where
there are eight projects covering a total of 3 500 hectares of wetlands of national significance.
Principles
- Wetlands and waterfowl are among the most valuable features of North America's natural heritage.
- All uses of waterfowl must be consistent with long-term conservation.
- An abundant waterfowl resource depends on protection, restoration and ecologically sound long-term management of habitat. The persistent
loss of wetlands and their adjacent zones throughout North America must be halted and reversed.
- Protecting waterfowl populations and their habitats in North America will continue to require management that is based on long-term planning, and on close co-operation and co-ordination between
Canada, the United States and Mexico.
- Long-term measures are needed to achieve population and habitat goals for waterfowl and to preserve and enhance the biodiversity and other ecological functions of wetlands.
- Joint ventures of private organizations, individuals and government agencies form the basis for carrying out the Plan.
- The impact of habitat conservation efforts on North American waterfowl populations will only gradually become apparent and quantifiable, since there is a history of 200 years of habitat
destruction to be overcome.
- Sport and subsistence hunting are compatible with waterfowl conservation and will continue to be managed in Canada, the United States and Mexico by regulations that reflect waterfowl population
needs and the objectives of the Plan.
References
Canadian Wildlife Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994. Update to the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan. Expanding the Commitment. 30 pages + 3 annexes.
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Progress Report 1983-1994, 1994-1995. 12 pages. Fondation de la faune du Québec, Québec Department of the
Environment and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Environment Canada. ISBN 2-550-25933-5 Envirdoq EN960188
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