Terms of Reference

Population Status Assessment for California Sea Lions in British Columbia

National Peer Review - National Captial Region

October 24-28, 2022
Winnipeg, MB and Virtual Meeting

Chairperson: Véronique Lesage

Context

California sea lions range from southeast Alaska to the Pacific coast of central Mexico. California sea lions do not breed in Canadian waters. However, sub-adult and adult males migrate northwards (from breeding sites in California) to B.C. waters during the non-breeding season with an arrival in September-October, and a departure in April-May. The population in Canadian waters has not been fully assessed since 1985. However, opportunistic counts suggest that California sea lions overwintering in B.C. waters increased in abundance since the 1970’s from approximately 500 animals in 1972 to several thousand individuals in more recent years. These observations also suggest they are arriving earlier and staying longer in B.C. waters. In winter 2021, surveys were conducted coast-wide in B.C.

California sea lions were last evaluated in 1987 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and assessed as “not at risk”.

Objectives

Resource Management requested Science to provide: an updated estimate of the current population size and distribution of California sea lions in Canadian Pacific waters based on the 2020-2021 surveys; and a Potential Biological Removal (PBR) estimate for California sea lion in Canadian Pacific waters.

This information will also support the Department in meeting requirements for an updated California sea lion population assessment for Pacific Canadian waters as required under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) bycatch provisions.

Expected Publications

• Proceedings
• Research Document
• Science Advisory Report

Expected Participation

• DFO (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Species at Risk, Resource Management)
• Academia
• Academics Stakeholders
• Other invited experts