Inuit knowledge of Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea) and perspectives on declining abundance in southeastern Hudson Bay, Canada

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242193
• Publication Date: 2020-11-17T18:33:31Z
• Authors: Dominique A. Henri; Laura M. Martinez...; Salamiva Weetaltuk; Mark L. Mallory; H. Grant Gilchrist; Frankie Jean-Gagnon
• Keywords: Sterna

The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea; takatakiaq in Inuttitut) breeds the circumpolar and undertakes longest known annual migration. In recent decades, populations have been declining some parts of their range, this has a cause concern for both wildlife managers Indigenous harvesters. However, limited scientific information is available on abundance distribution, especially within its breeding range remote areas Arctic. Knowledge held by Inuit harvesters engaged egg picking can shed light ecology, regional distribution marine bird. We conducted individual interviews workshop involving 12 elders from Kuujjuaraapik, Nunavik (northern Québec), Canada, to gather knowledge cultural importance, stewardship. Interview contributors reported decline numbers which appeared early 2000s nesting islands near Kuujjuaraapik. Six possible factors were identified: (1) local harvest through picking; (2) nest disturbance predation; (3) abandonment tern (i.e., that become connected mainland due isostatic rebound); (4) climate change; (5) natural cycles population; (6) capelin (Mallotus villosus) region. Recommendations related stewardship protection included: conduct more research; let nature take course; an awareness campaign; implement ban; coordinate harvest; start 'tern farming'; (7) protect Terns across migration route; (8) foxes predating terns. Our study highlighted complementarities between ecological science, showed make substantial contributions ongoing future research management initiatives.