Eiderdown Industry and Protection of Eider-Ducks

Abstract

THE numerous islands which border the north coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence have long been a breeding ground of eiderducks. But it is only since 1933 that a supervised industry in the collecting and marketing of eiderdown has been established. During the past six years the export of cleaned eiderdown has increased five-fold, and the recognition of the value of the birds has led to active protection and encouragement of an increasing stock of nesting ducks. Where the eiderdown industry has been established severe penalties are enforced for their destruction or molestation. The collection of the down, it is reported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Canada, does not interfere with the regular hatching of the eggs, and as a result of this and of protection the colonies of eiders have been steadily increasing in numbers. For the purpose of eiderdown production, residents of the Gulf-shore area now lease from the Province of Quebec suitable coastal islands at a nominal rental for a period of five years, and each lessee is supplied with a permit under the Migratory Birds Convention Act authorizing him to collect, possess and sell eiderdown taken from the nests in his leased area. We trust that a close watch will be kept upon this new industry and that definite counts will be made by scientific observers at periodic intervals to test the effect of the trade upon the number of birds. The conditions of the leases granted to the down collectors are unknown to us, but it is hoped that some provision is made to check what might easily develop into ruthless destruction at the close of a period of lease, if the lessee suspected that renewal might not be granted.