Salish Sea Marine Bird Monitoring and Conservation Program

The establishment of a marine bird monitoring and conservation program in the Salish Sea supports the Government of Canada’s response to the National Energy Board’s (NEB) (now Canada Energy Regulator) Reconsideration Report for the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) Project. The Salish Sea Marine Bird Monitoring and Conservation Program (the Program) was designed to identify key stressors for marine birds in the Salish Sea, such as the impacts of marine shipping and other marine-based human activities on marine birds.

Since 2020, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and partners have conducted large-scale surveys of marine birds in the Canadian portion of the Salish Sea and nearby waters. Cumulatively, the surveys covered over 30,000 kilometers and recorded more than 100,000 bird sightings, providing unprecedented information regarding marine birds in the region

To assess the current health of the Salish Sea ecosystem, ECCC and partners also conducted studies in focal ecosystems and/or species. These studies provide indicators of the current health of the Salish Sea. Effective management actions can be identified by better understanding stressors to marine birds in the Salish Sea.

The Salish Sea Marine Bird Monitoring and Conservation Program has dramatically improved our understanding of marine birds in the Salish Sea, including how marine shipping and other marine-based human activities affect marine birds and their habitats. By identifying key stressors for marine birds, the program supports the sustainable use of the Salish Sea for marine wildlife and Canadians. In collaboration with Indigenous-led monitoring efforts, such as those supported by the Salish Sea Initiative, this information is guiding evidence-based actions to protect marine birds and their habitats.

Want to learn more about the Program? Visit our interactive website: Wings over Water