Thirteenth census of seabird populations in the sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1982-1988

Abstract

The 1988 census revealed an increase in all families of birds present in the sanctuaries. Common Eiders increased tremendously between 1982 and 1988. The vigorous enforcement program carried out by Parks Canada in Betchouane Bird Sanctuary and by the Canadian Wildlife Service in the Iles Sainte-Marie Bird Sanctuary may explain this spectacular comeback. The high rate of yearly increase of this species supports an immigration hypothesis. Although the gull population also grew, their rate of increase was lower those that of other species. Alcids, which represent 58% of the nesting birds, continued to increase, as they have done since 1977. Two factors may account for the improvement: a better conservation program, of which enforcement and education are the two main components, and the exploitation of large predatory fish competitors by fisheries, which made more small prey fish (Capelin and sand lace) available for seabirds. However, the abundant Capelin stocks have now become attractive to the fisheries, and their imminent exploitation may augur a leaner future for the alcids.