Terms of Reference

National Science Special Response Process

Assessment of Critical Habitat of North Pacific Humpback Whales in B.C.

Sept 30, 2009
Location: Conference Call

Chairperson: Christine Abraham

Background

Humpback whales were listed in 2005 as ‘threatened’ under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), and a recovery strategy for the species is required. A recovery strategy must identify a threatened species’ critical habitat, or “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed species and that is identified as the species critical habitat in the recovery strategy or action plan for the species”. Under SARA S 41(1)(c) a species’ critical habitat must be identified to the extent possible, based on the best available information.

A draft Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for humpback whales was reviewed at the 2008 National Marine Mammal Peer Review meeting in Nanaimo, B.C. This RPA described, in general, areas which warranted further investigation as ‘critical habitat’ under the SARA. Additional data have been analyzed, and information builds on that presented in the RPA.

A review will be held to assess analyses of the available information on humpback critical habitat and determine whether the four areas presented qualify as ‘critical habitat’ for humpback whales under the SARA. A Special Science Response process is required to provide information to complete the recovery strategy in preparation for regional consultation in fall 2009.

Meeting Objectives

The intent of the meeting is the following:

1. To review the draft working paper “Assessment of critical habitats of North Pacific Humpback Whales in British Columbia” L. Nichol, R. Abernethy, L. Flostrand, T. Lee, J. K. B. Ford;
2. To generate Science advice regarding delineation of humpback whale critical habitat in the draft recovery strategy;
3. Finalize a map of critical habitat to include in the recovery strategy

Meeting Outputs

• CSAS Science Response
• CSAS Research document

Participation

Science experts (approx. 10) include internal DFO representatives, as well as invited independent researcher(s).