Terms of Reference

Updated Population Status Assessment for Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canadian Pacific Waters

Regional Peer Review - National Capital Region

December 2, 2024

Montreal, QC

Chairpersons: Emma Hodgson and Lisa Setterington

Context

The Eastern population of Steller Sea Lions inhabits coastal and continental shelf regions of the North Pacific Ocean from central California north through British Columbia (BC) and Southeast Alaska. It was delisted from Threatened status under the US Endangered Species Act in 2013 (NMFS 2013). In Canada, the species continues to be listed as Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) (COSEWIC 2013) based on its sensitivity to human disturbance while on land, and vulnerability to catastrophic events (such as major oil spills) due to its highly concentrated breeding aggregations.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has conducted 14 breeding season aerial surveys since the early 1970s, up to and including 2017, to monitor the Steller Sea Lion population in BC. Surveys are timed to provide counts of both pups and non-pups (juveniles and adults). Breeding season surveys are typically undertaken on a 4-year cycle in coordination with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A survey was undertaken in summer of 2021 to provide an update to Steller Sea Lion population status in BC.

An updated assessment of Steller Sea Lion abundance, distribution and population trends that incorporates the most recent survey data is required for implementing the high priority action item to conduct ongoing monitoring of population status, identified in the SARA Management Plan for the Steller Sea Lion in Canada (DFO 2010).

Updated abundance data, as well as information regarding the numbers and locations of breeding areas, may be used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in making future recommendations on the status of the Steller Sea Lion in BC.

The assessment may also be used by NOAA in reporting on range-wide population trends in support of post-delisting monitoring of the Eastern population of Steller Sea Lion. An updated assessment is also required in support of U.S. Marine Mammal Bycatch Rules.

Additionally, Steller Sea Lions are an important prey species for Transient Killer Whales (TKW) in BC; therefore, current information on the Steller Sea Lion population can be used to meet objectives and recovery measures involving prey availability, identified in the TKW Recovery Strategy (2007) and draft TKW Action Plan (in development), respectively. Information on the population status of Steller Sea Lions is also required for examining potential ecosystem level drivers affecting their prey populations. This information may be used by Marine Protected Area (MPA) planners in identifying sensitive habitat and by DFO Fisheries Management in assessing potential predation impacts on important commercial species.

Under SARA, the federal government has a commitment to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity, and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency are the competent ministers for the recovery of aquatic species at risk.

Objectives

The objectives of this peer-review are to:

1. Update the assessment of Steller Sea Lion abundance, distribution and population trends in Canadian Pacific waters by including the most recent (2021) survey data available.
2. Similarly, update the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) estimate for Steller Sea Lions in Canadian Pacific waters.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Species at Risk)
• Indigenous communities/organizations
• Consultants
• Other experts

References

• DFO. 2010. Management Plan for the Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canada [Final]. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. vi + 69 pp.
• DFO. 2021. Trends in Abundance and Distribution of Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canada. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2021/035.