Recently, they have drawn more attention from recreational hunters as hunting opportunities for other migratory birds have declined. Now, eiders are declining in many areas. Population declines have begun only recently in some areas, but in others have been occurring for decades. As a result, Steller's eiders have been listed as a globally threatened species and as a Red Data book species in Russia, spectacled eiders have been listed as a threatened species in the United States, and hunting has been banned or curtailed in many other areas. Reasons for the declines are largely unknown.
Eiders are a circumpolar resource.
Most Arctic countries have at least two of the four species during parts or all of each year, and each of the species travels through at least two Arctic countries during its annual cycle of movements between breeding, molting, and wintering areas. Thus, an international approach is needed in managing eiders since actions by one country affect the ability of other countries to manage eiders. In recognition of the need to stabilize and manage eider populations in a sustainable manner, and the fact that eiders are a resource shared by the Arctic countries, CAFF has developed this Circumpolar Eider Conservation Strategy and Action Plan. The goal of the Strategy is to facilitate circumpolar efforts to conserve, protect and restore eider populations. Ensure that consumptive use of eiders is sustainable.