Because both their arctic breeding grounds and pelagic wintering grounds are remote, Long-tailed Jaegers are difficult to monitor through out the year. Also, they typically occur at low densities, so localized studies count only a small number of individuals. Large-scale aerial surveys in the 1980s (presented in Gaston et al. 1986) found jaegers to be abundant on Prince Charles Island. Surveys in 1996-1997 also found them to be abundant there (Johnston and Pepper 2009), but differing methods precludes a quantitative assessment. At present, data are insufficient to assess the population status of Long-tailed Jaegers in Canada relative to 1970. As such, a national population goal for the Long-tailed Jaeger has not yet been determined.