International AEWA Single Species Action-Plan Taiga Bean Goose (Anser f. fabalis) Results from workshop in Tuusula November 2013 Mikko Alhainen Finnish Wildlife Agency Finland Photo Asko Kettunen

Background of the project In 2012 AEWA (the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement) changed the protection status of the NE European/NW European population to Column A, category 3c*. Previously it was listed in Column B, category 1. – Due to the long term decline of the population – Hunting may continue on a sustainable use basis. This sustainable use shall be conducted within the framework of an international species action plan, which will implement the principles of adaptive harvest management. AEWA Technical Committee (by proposal of Finland): Species Action Plan will be developed 2012–2015 for Taiga Bean Goose and the draft plan shall be ready for adoption by MOP6 in 2015  The adoption and implementation of the plan is in the hunters interest, as it is the way to continue the harvest of TBG  Different approach than in EU management plans 2

Process Map for TBG ISSAP WORKSHOP Nordic WORKSHOP

Representatives from 11 of the 14 range states and the international conservation and hunting communities and the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat. AEWA ISSAP Workshop at Tuusula

Workshop at Tuusula At the workshop we managed to: Identify –key knowledge gaps and needs –key problems and threats  Based on problem and threat assessment, we managed to Create a Framework of Action as an Objectives tree

Draft Framework of Action as Objectives tree Goal-Objective-Result-Action-Responsibility

Draft Framework of Action as Objectives tree Goal-Objective-Result-Action-Responsibility

Main workshop outcomes: Long-term goal: restore the population to a favourable conservation status; – Population target size will be defined by the Drafting Team: size of around (?? ??? birds for each MU  TBG total pop) – Population target shall take take the social carrying capacity in the account, and that is lower than the ecological Short-term goal (10 years): stabilize (stop the decline) the population size at least at the current level; Division of the overall Taiga Bean Goose population into four sub-populations or management units based on their clearly distinct breeding areas An adaptive harvest management framework for the Taiga Bean Goose will be developed within the context of the ISSAP.

W C E1 E2 9 W: Stable/declining C: Stable/declining E1: declining Map: Thomas Heinicke, Leif Nilsson, Fred Johnson, Tony Fox, Jesper Madsen E2: ???? declining Division of TBG population into four management units based on their clearly distinct breeding areas Western [W]: West Sweden, North-Western Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom Central [C]: Russia (Karelia), Finland, Sweden, Northern Norway, Eastern Denmark Eastern 1 [E1]: Russia (W Siberia), Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland,Germany [the Netherlands in cold winters] Eastern 2 [E2]: Russia (W Siberia), Kazakhstan, North-Western China, East Kirgizstan

Adaptive Harvest Management approach is the key tool to manage the uncertainties and knowledge gaps we have and we will have in the understanding of the dynamics and sustainable use of the Taiga Bean Geese. We have the necessary data and understanding to start the Adaptive Harvest Management at Flyway level. Through the Adaptive approach, including learning from what we have done, we can, over time, gain more understanding of the system and improve our management actions. The adaptive approach is a system of ‘trial and error and learning’, where we will have a Set-Up phase to create the frame for the AHM process, and then we will: 1.Make the best decision we can with the information and understanding we have for the moment 2.Predict the outcomes/results we expect our decision will have 3.Monitor the outcomes/results in the field 4.Compare the observations in the field to our predictions 5.Learn from the comparison of observations and predictions, and use this improved understanding to make a better decision next year.

Practical example of hunting regulation under AHM frame Svalbard Pink-footed Geese © Suomen riistakeskus12 Population target of around birds Harvest levels in any state of the system is guiding the pop. towards the target Monitoring the pop size in winter + weather conditions in spring  Prediction of pop status  Decision on hunting quota  Division to national quotas  National decisions on how to meet the quota

© Fred Johnson SE Ecological Science Center

Analysis of available data for the Taiga Bean Goose to determine delineation of stocks, survival rates, and likely sustainable levels of off-take in comparison with current levels; Ensure adequate annual monitoring in all appropriate range states, including coordinated mid-winter counts to estimate population sizes (starting in January 2014), productivity, marking to monitor annual survival and hunting bag statistics for all three stocks; Conduct satellite tagging to establish staging, wintering and breeding ranges of the Eastern populations; Collect available information about staging and wintering Taiga Bean Geese in the Central Asian Flyway (Eastern 2 sub-population); Consider introducing a moratorium on the hunting of Taiga Bean Geese in key range states for the Eastern 1 sub-population due to its strong decline and estimated low numbers. Main activities requiring funding and to be implemented in the short term as a matter of priority:

Ensure adequate annual monitoring in all appropriate range states and all three stocks, including – coordinated mid-winter counts to estimate population sizes (starting in January 2014), – productivity, – marking to monitor annual survival and – hunting bag statistics How to go forward? Main activities requiring funding and to be implemented in the short term as a matter of priority: Focus on discussions in afternoon workshop

Activities on previous slide will provide tools to develop AHM framework. – For TBG the AHM frame will be very robust and simple compared to SPfG Prior to implementation of ISSAP and AHM – Coordinated hunting regulations already 2014 and 2015? Good sign to hunters in countries that are already having hunting restrictions due to the decline – Protective hunting – effects on Taiga Bean Goose? Main activities requiring funding and to be implemented in the short term as a matter of priority: Focus on discussions in afternoon workshop

Process Map for TBG ISSAP WORKSHOP Nordic WORKSHOP

Suomen riistakeskus

Suomen riistakeskus

Suomen riistakeskus Kuva: Mikko Alhainen Thank you! Looking forward to a effective and constructive workshop Välitalon wetland at Pudasjärvi municipality Ribbed aapa mire, restored by Life+ Return of Rural Wetlands project and private landowner