Stellar Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus), 2011 to 2015: progress report of management plan, 2018

Official title: Report on the Progress of Management Plan Implementation for the Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canada for the Period 2011 to 2015

Species at Risk Act
Management Plan Report Series

Document information

Recommended citation: Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2018. Report on the Progress of Management Plan Implementation for the Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canada for the Period 2011 to 2015. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Report Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. iv + 37 pp.

For copies of the progress report, or for additional information on species at risk, including COSEWIC status reports, recovery strategies, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Cover photograph: Christie McMillan

Également disponible en français sous le titre : Compte rendu des progrès de la mise en œuvre du Plan de gestion de l’otarie de Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) au Canada pour la période 2011 à 2015

ISBN 978-0-660-26879-8

Catalogue no. En3-5/8-1-2018E-PDF

Content (excluding the cover illustration) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source.

Preface

The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996) agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. Section 72 of the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA) requires the competent minister to report on the implementation of the management plan for a species at risk, and on the progress towards meeting its goals and objectives within five years of the date when the management plan was placed on the Species at Risk Public Registry and in every subsequent five-year period, until its goals and objectives have been achieved or the status of the species changes to threatened or endangered under SARA.

Reporting on the progress of management plan implementation requires reporting on the collective efforts of the competent minister(s), provincial organizations and all other parties involved in conducting activities that contribute towards the species’ conservation. Management plans set goals and objectives for maintaining sustainable population levels of one or more species that are particularly sensitive to environmental factors, but, which are not in danger of becoming extinct. Some of the identified strategies and approaches are sequential to the progress or completion of others; and not all may be undertaken or show significant progress during the time frame of a report on the progress of management plan implementation (progress report).

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency (PCA) are the competent ministers under SARA for the Steller Sea Lion. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has prepared this progress report with support from the PCA.

As stated in the preamble to SARA, success in the conservation of species at risk depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in the management plan and will not be achieved by DFO or any other jurisdiction alone. The cost of conserving species at risk is shared amongst different constituencies. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing the management plan for the Steller Sea Lion for the benefit of the species and Canadian society as a whole.

Acknowledgments

This progress report was prepared by Christie McMillan with input from DFO Science and Fisheries Management Branches, as well as Parks Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, the United States’ National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Makah Fisheries Management Marine Mammal Program, and Ocean Wise. Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like to express its appreciation to all individuals and organizations who have contributed to the conservation of the Steller Sea Lion.

Executive summary

The Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) was listed as a species of Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2004. The Management Plan for the Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canada was finalized and published on the Species at Risk Public Registry in 2011. The population was reassessed and confirmed as Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2013. This report documents the progress of management plan implementation from 2011 to 2015.

The main threats identified for the Steller Sea Lion include: prey reduction, environmental contaminants, acoustic or physical disturbance, toxic spills, entanglement, and illegal kills.

The management goals for the Steller Sea Lion are:

to ensure that anthropogenic threats from Canadian sources do not cause unsustainable population declines, or a contraction of the current range or number of breeding sites in Canada
support for, and contribution to, an environment where research and monitoring of Steller Sea Lions in British Columbia contributes to achieving an improved global knowledge of the Eastern Pacific Population

In order to achieve these goals, the management plan identified the following population and distribution objectives:

maintain a viable population and prevent the population from declining to levels at which it would be considered at risk of extinction
maintain the annual usage of all three main rookeries and support the establishment of the fourth breeding site as a permanent rookery
maintain the number and utilization of existing haul-outs in British Columbia to ensure a widespread distribution along the British Columbia coast

This report summarizes progress that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the broader scientific community have made towards achieving the goals and objectives set out in the management plan. From 2011 to 2015, achievements have been made in:

continued range-wide monitoring of the population through aerial and boat-based surveys
efforts to better understand the non-breeding season diet and prey requirements of Steller Sea Lions through winter and year-round scat sampling
international collaboration between DFO, the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other agencies in the United States and Canada to undertake Steller Sea Lion research, including coordination of survey timing and contributing brand re-sight information
research into the rates of entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris for Steller Sea Lions, and implementation of a successful sea lion disentanglement program
the formation of a Marine Mammal Response Network (MMRN) Advisory Team, and coast-wide training of DFO employees and members of First Nations and environmental non-government organizations, to improve response to marine mammals in distress
outreach programs promoting responsible marine mammal viewing guidelines and raising awareness about anthropogenic threats to marine mammals have reached hundreds of thousands of citizens coast-wide

In 2013, the Eastern Distinct Population Segment of Steller Sea Lions in American waters was delisted from the United States’ Endangered Species Act (National Marine Fisheries Service 2013). Canadian aerial surveys indicate the number of Steller Sea Lions in British Columbia has been increasing at an average annual rate of 3.8% (Olesiuk 2018). In British Columbia, Steller Sea Lions are now breeding at all four historic rookeries, as well as at least two new rookeries. Ongoing work will allow further understanding and mitigation of anthropogenic threats to Steller Sea Lions in Canada.

1 Introduction

This document reports the progress made from 2011 to 2015 towards meeting the goals and objectives listed in the Management Plan for the Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canada (PDF) and is one in a series of documents for this species that are linked and should be taken into consideration together, including: the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status report (COSEWIC 2003), management plan (DFO 2011) and a multi-species action plan (Parks Canada Agency 2016).

Section 2 of the progress report summarizes key information on the threats to the species, the management goals and objectives, and actions and approaches for meeting the objectives. More detail is available in the management plan. Section 3 reports the progress of activities, identified in the management plan, to support achieving the management goals and objectives. Section 4 summarizes the progress toward achieving the management goals and objectives.

2 Background

2.1 Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada assessment summary

The Steller Sea Lion was initially assessed and designated as special concern by COSEWIC in 2003 (COSEWIC 2003). The listing of Steller Sea Lion under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2004 led to the development and publication of the management plan in 2011, based on information provided in the COSEWIC status report (PDF) (COSEWIC 2003). This information is also included in section 1.1 of the management plan. In 2013, COSEWIC re-examined and confirmed the status of the Steller Sea Lion as special concern (COSEWIC 2013 (PDF)).

Assessment summary – November 2013

Common name: Steller Sea Lion

Scientific name: Eumetopias jubatus

Status: Special concern

Reason for designation: The Steller Sea Lion population is restricted to only five breeding locations (consisting of seven rookeries) in British Columbia that occupy less than 10 km², with approximately 70% of births occurring at a single location (Scott Islands). The population is increasing, but is sensitive to human disturbance while on land and is vulnerable to catastrophic events such as major oil spills due to its highly concentrated breeding aggregations. The species is near to qualifying for threatened, but has recovered from historical culling and deliberate persecution.

Occurrence: British Columbia, Pacific Ocean

Status history: Designated not at risk in April 1987. Status re-examined and designated special concern in November 2003 and November 2013.

2.2 Threats

This section summarizes the information found in the management plan on threats to the Steller Sea Lion.

2.2.1 Threats to the Steller Sea Lion

Table 1 summarizes the threats to the Steller Sea Lion. Please refer to section 1.5 of the management plan for more information on these threats.

Table 1. Summary of the population-level anthropogenic threats for the Steller Sea Lion, based on the management plan (DFO 2011).
Threat	Population-level threat risk	Description
Prey reduction – fisheries competition	Potentially high	Commercial harvesting of prey resources can deplete local abundance and availability of Steller Sea Lion prey, and may intensify the effects of natural prey fluctuations. While it is not known whether depletion of single prey species may limit population growth, it is widely acknowledged that prey availability was a factor in the decline of the western population of Steller Sea Lions, and prey availability around rookeries may be critical for the survival of nursing females and their young pups.
Prey reduction – environmental change and variability	Potentially high	Climate change and large-scale regime shifts may affect Steller Sea Lion prey distribution. Reduced prey availability coinciding with El Niño events has led to declines in pup production of other pinniped species, while shifts to lower energy prey species may affect Steller Sea Lion life history parameters, leading to population decline.
Environmental contaminants – regulated and unregulated POPs	Moderate	Persistent organic pollutants, including DDT, PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs, and PBDEs, have been associated with adverse health effects in pinnipeds. Studies on wild pinnipeds have indicated links between contaminant levels and reproductive impairment, premature births, birth defects, suppression of immune response, and disruption of thyroid hormone physiology. These effects may be amplified when combined with other stressors, such as food shortage.
Physical disturbance (on or around terrestrial habitat)	Low at haul-outs Medium at rookeries	Disturbance by aircraft, boats, pedestrians, construction, or fishing activities can lead to temporary or permanent abandonment of haul-outs and rookeries. Steller Sea Lions are particularly vulnerable to disturbance at rookeries, where disturbances can result in increased pup mortality due to drowning, trampling, or separation from mothers, and may have energetic costs for both pups and mothers.
Acoustic disturbance (in aquatic habitat)	Likely low	Both acute (e.g., explosions, seismic or military tactical sonar) and chronic (e.g., vessel activity) acoustic disturbance have the potential to affect Steller Sea Lions. Noise stress may have long-term effects on Steller Sea Lion vital rates and body condition and may contribute to disruption of foraging and increased energetic costs.
Toxic spills	Low Moderate for Scott Island and Cape St. James rookeries	Toxic spills are most likely to affect Steller Sea Lions through contact with heavy oil accumulations, as well as from absorption of oil through the skin, incidental ingestion of oil, exposure to vapours, and partial fouling of fur. Although the impacts of most spills are unlikely to be population-wide, a spill affecting a rookery during breeding season could lead to a significant population-level impact.
Incidental take – fisheries and aquaculture	Low	Steller Sea Lions can be entangled and killed incidentally in various fisheries, particularly gillnet fisheries for salmon. Entanglement in finfish aquaculture is also known to occur; however, based on voluntary reporting, accidental drowning in aquaculture installations is relatively rare.
Entanglement in marine debris	Low, potentially severe effects on individual animals	Entanglement in marine debris, including net fragments, plastic bags, and packing bands, has been implicated in the decline of some pinniped populations. Net fragments and packing bands can get caught around the necks of Steller Sea Lions and cause serious injuries as the entangled individual grows. Knowledge gaps exist regarding entanglement rates; therefore, it is unknown whether entanglement in marine debris poses a population-wide threat to Steller Sea Lions.
Illegal kills	Unknown	Steller Sea Lions are likely to be the targets of illegal kills based on the perceived conflicts between Steller Sea Lions and fisheries. As these kills are largely undocumented, the impacts of illegal kills at a population level are unknown.
Predator control programs	Historically high Currently low	Predator control programs were the main factor limiting the Steller Sea Lion population throughout most of the 20th century. These programs resulted in the eradication of a major rookery at the Sea Otter Group by the late 1930s and severely depleted the Eastern population of Steller Sea Lions until the species was protected under the Canadian Fisheries Act in 1970 and the American Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972. Legal predator control of Steller Sea Lions at aquaculture operations in British Columbia (B.C.) occurred between 1990 and 2003, constituting the largest known sources of human-induced mortality for this species. Since the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) listing of the Steller Sea Lion in 2004, lethal control of this species is no longer permitted; however, it is possible that Steller Sea Lions are killed due to being mistaken for California Sea Lions or Harbour Seals, for which lethal control is still allowed.
First Nations harvest	Low	Steller Sea Lions were traditionally hunted by Indigenous people in B.C. for food and cultural purposes. However, use of sea lions by First Nations declined over the 1800s. Hunting of Steller Sea Lions for subsistence and cultural purposes does still occur occasionally, but while harvest levels are unknown, this harvest appears to be very limited.
Disease and parasitism	Unknown	Parasites and diseases may have little impact on otherwise healthy animals, but effects of these threats may become significant if combined with other stressors. Pathogens and diseases can be introduced through sewage outflow, storm-water, and agricultural runoff, as well as through rehabilitation-reintroduction programs that include pinnipeds.

2.3 Conservation

This section summarizes the information found in the management plan (DFO 2011) on the management goals and objectives that are necessary for the conservation of the Steller Sea Lion.

2.3.1 Management goals and objectives

Section 2 of the management plan identified the following management goals and objectives:

Management goals:

Ensure that anthropogenic threats from Canadian sources do not cause unsustainable population declines, or a contraction of the current range or number of breeding sites in Canada
Support for, and contribution to, an environment where research and monitoring of Steller Sea Lions in British Columbia (B.C.) contributes to achieving an improved global knowledge of the Eastern Pacific Population

Population objectives:

Maintain a viable population and prevent the population from declining to levels at which it would be considered at risk of extinction

Distribution objectives:

Maintain the annual usage of all three main rookeries and support the establishment of the fourth breeding site as a permanent rookery
Maintain the number and utilization of existing haul-outs in B.C. to ensure a widespread distribution along the B.C. coast

Research and monitoring objectives:

Conduct range wide population assessments through coordinated Canadian and U.S. surveys, where feasible
Contribute to, and foster an improved understanding of Steller Sea Lion biology and habitat requirements in B.C.
Support, foster and contribute to research addressing knowledge gaps regarding identified (Table 1 in the management plan) and unidentified threats to this population
Determine total cumulative levels of human-caused annual mortalities for Steller Sea Lions in B.C. that can be sustained

Management objectives:

Promote international collaboration, independent research, education and outreach on management and conservation initiatives
Minimize the exposure of Steller Sea Lions to pollutants
Minimize the level of disturbance of Steller Sea Lions at rookeries during the breeding season
Reduce the risk of catastrophic spills impacting Steller Sea Lions or their habitat in
Canada
Minimize the exposure of Steller Sea Lions to acute sound levels known to cause
behavioural or physical harm in pinnipeds
Minimize the likelihood of prey limitation caused by anthropogenic factors

2.3.2 Performance measures

The management plan did not include performance measures. The progress towards achieving the management goals and objectives will be informed by the progression made under the actions and approaches outlined in section 3.1 below.

3 Progress towards conservation

The management plan for the Steller Sea Lion divides the conservation effort into six broad strategies:

protection
management
research on Steller Sea Lion biology
research to clarify identified threats
monitoring population status
outreach and communication

Progress in carrying out these broad strategies is reported in section 3.1. Section 3.2 summarizes the progress made towards undertaking these actions and approaches.

3.1 Actions supporting management

Table 2 provides information on the implementation of activities undertaken to address the broad strategies, actions, and approaches identified in the implementation schedule (Table 3) of the management plan. The timelines in Table 2 have also been included from the implementation schedule. Each activity has been assigned one of four statuses:

completed: the planned activity has been carried out and concluded
in progress: the planned activity is underway and has not concluded
not started: the activity has been planned but has yet to start
cancelled: the planned activity will not be started or completed

See Appendix A for an index of the acronyms used throughout the report.

Table 2. Status of actions and approaches undertaken to address the management goals and objectives outlined in the management plan.
Broad strategy	Actions	Approach	Timeline	Status	Details	Objectives	Participants
1	1. Protect Steller Sea Lions from disturbance at breeding sites and haul-outs	a) Continue enforcement of Marine Mammal Regulations (MMR), promote regional guidelines	Ongoing	In progress	Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fishery Officers follow up on reports of marine mammal disturbance and investigate potential incidents. Additionally, DFO conducts presentations in coastal communities on how to report marine mammal disturbance, and broadly promotes Be Whale Wise (BWW) guidelines (Cottrell pers. comm. 2016). Parks Canada Agency (PCA) wardens have authority within park boundaries to undertake enforcement of restricted access at haul-out sites. Holders of business licenses are required to adhere to MMR when in park waters (Helms pers. comm. 2016; Yakimishyn pers. comm. 2016) See broad strategy 6 action 20c for further details on promotion of BWW guidelines.	D1, D2, M3	DFO^{Table 2 Footnote 1}, PCA
1	2. Enforcement of regulations for discarding debris, develop new fishing standards	-	Ongoing	In progress	The absence of solid debris, including fishing gear and plastics from Canadian marine or estuarine waters is recommended under Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines (PDF) (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment 1999). Enforcement of regulations prohibiting marine debris can also fall under the auspices of legislation such as the Fisheries Act (see pollution prevention) or the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. PCA wardens enforce regulations for discarding marine debris within park waters (Yakimishyn pers. comm. 2016).	M2	CCME, PCA
2	3. Consider dietary needs when changes to current fisheries management regimes occur	-	As changes to fisheries management occur	In progress	No major changes to fisheries management regimes related to pinnipeds have occurred in B.C. during this progress report period (Cottrell pers. comm. 2016). The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) implemented several Steller Sea Lion protection measures for fisheries in the Aleutian Islands in 2015. These protection measures included changes to closed areas and harvest limits, with the aim of the reducing the impact of these fisheries on Steller Sea Lions and their critical habitat in the U.S. (Rotterman pers. comm. 2016). For information on diet studies see broad strategy 3, action10b and broad strategy 4, action 12.	P1, M6	NOAA
2	4. Review proposals with potential for disturbance at haul-outs and rookeries, and provide advice	-	Ongoing, enhance involvement where necessary	In progress	All research proposals for Steller Sea Lion studies conducted in B.C. waters are reviewed by DFO. From 2011 to 2015, 9 research permits were issued that included Steller Sea Lions as a focal species. Reviews include weighing risks, including potential for disturbance, against the value of the data to be collected (Cottrell, pers. comm. 2016). All research activities in Canada require permitting under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the Fisheries Act’s MMR. PCA requires a research permit to conduct research on Steller Sea Lions in its heritage areas. The research permit system places controls on research activities, helps track research being conducted in heritage areas, and ensures the permit is SARA compliant (Parks Canada 2006). Proposals for Steller Sea Lion research in American waters must include estimates of and requests for a limited number of takes. These takes must be monitored throughout the project and reported on annually (Rotterman, pers. comm. 2016).	D1, D2, M3, M5	DFO, NOAA, PCA
2	5. Manage and reduce input of chemical toxins, reduce toxic loading	a) Develop DFO emergency response plan to identify marine mammal expertise required in toxic spill response	4 years	Not started (during reporting period)	Stronger regional emergency response plans are under development in collaboration with partners as part of the Government of Canada’s national Ocean Protection Plan (OPP) launched in November 2016. Four pilot studies have been launched across Canada, including one site in southern B.C. Marine mammal experts are engaged in the plan development and Indigenous and coastal community consultations will be held on the draft plans, once developed.^{Table 2 Footnote 2} The Gwaii Haanas Public Safety Plan requires that a marine spill response kit (for small spills) be maintained and a field crew receives oil spill response training (Bartier pers. comm. 2018). In 2015, Gwaii Haanas began participating in a Transport Canada-led initiative to create a Port of Refuge Contingency Plan for Haida Gwaii.^{Table 2 Footnote 3}	P1, M2, M4	CCG DFO, Ocean Wise (formerly Vancouver Aquarium), Province of B.C., TC, PCA
2	5. Manage and reduce input of chemical toxins, reduce toxic loading	b) Marine mammal specific DFO operational manual for toxic spill response	4 years	Not started during reporting period (Canada) Completed (U.S.)	Under OPP, a marine mammal-specific operational manual will be developed for the southern B.C. pilot site in 2019 to 2020. NOAA has developed guidelines to direct and inform response activities for marine mammals during oil spills. These guidelines allow for communication between agencies and maintain readiness for response to oiled wildlife at a national level in the U.S. (Ziccardi et al. 2015).	M2, M4	NOAA
2	5. Manage and reduce input of chemical toxins, reduce toxic loading	c) Review management of point-sources of toxins listed in Appendix I of the management plan	Ongoing	In progress	The National Pollutant Release Inventory is a publicly available data source to which facilities are required to report pollutant releases to air, water, or land. This resource allows for identification of pollution prevention priorities and aids development of targeted regulations for reducing release of toxins (Environment and Climate Change Canada 2016). Sediment concentrations of PCBs, PBDEs, PCDDs, and PCDFs from disposal at sea sites at Sands Head, Point Grey, Brown Passage, and Douglas Channel, B.C. were measured to help inform Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC’s) Disposal at Sea Regulations (Ross et al. 2011; Ross et al. 2012). Based on declining concentrations of PCBs, PBDEs, PCDEs, and PCNs in a sentinel marine mammal species (Harbour Seals) in the Strait of Georgia, regulations and source controls have been effective in significantly reducing inputs of these contaminants into southern B.C. waters (Ross et al. 2013).	R3, M2	DFO, ECCC, academia, ENGOs, WDFW
2	6. Support low-impact research	-	Ongoing	In progress	DFO reviews all marine mammal research proposals annually for studies conducted in B.C. waters and weighs potential for disturbance against the value of the data to be collected (Cottrell pers. comm. 2016). From 2011 to 2015, DFO issued 9 Steller Sea Lion-related research permits. North Coast Cetacean Society (NCCS) conducts land-based surveys for Steller Sea Lions daily between May and September from two platforms in the Caamano Sound area (Wray pers. comm. 2016). Pacific Wild uses a remote camera and a hydrophone to monitor Steller Sea Lion activity at Currie Rock, B.C. (McAllister pers. comm. 2016).	R1 to R4, M1, M3	DFO, ENGOs
2	7. Strengthen measures to reduce entanglement risk	a) Support Marine Mammal Response Network (MMRN) initiatives	Ongoing	In progress	A MMRN Advisory Team composed of representatives from DFO, Province of B.C., ENGOs, and PCA was formed in 2015 to lead efforts to support MMRN initiatives. Fisheries officers; ENGOs (including British Columbia Cetacean Sightings Network (BCCSN), Cetus, Marine Education and Research Society (MERS), and NCCS) and First Nations groups (including Haida Gwaii Marine Stewardship Group (HGMSG) and the Heiltsuk Species at Risk Stewardship Program) support MMRN initiatives by responding to marine mammal incidents throughout the B.C. coast. Training has been provided by DFO/MMRN to members of these organizations to act as first responders for marine mammal stranding and entanglement events. PCA contributes to data collection and coordinating responses for marine mammals in distress within park boundaries (Helms pers. comm. 2016). Ocean Wise and DFO successfully sedated and disentangled five Steller Sea Lions with potentially lethal entanglements in B.C. during this progress report period (Szaniszlo pers. comm. 2016).	R3, R4	DFO, Province of B.C., ENGOs, First Nations, PCA
2	7. Strengthen measures to reduce entanglement risk	b) Fisheries observer reporting standards and guidelines	3 years	Completed	Standards for fisheries observer reporting are managed through individual Integrated Fishery Management Plans and license conditions (Cottrell pers. comm. 2016). The Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI) includes measures to address the need for enhanced fisheries monitoring, catch reporting, and enforcement. The Government of Canada has been providing funding to implement this program since 2008 (DFO 2015). The Policy for Managing Bycatch was completed in 2013 and applies to all commercial, recreational, and Aboriginal fisheries (DFO 2013a). The Guidance on Implementation of the Policy on Managing Bycatch (DFO 2013b) provides recommendations of priorities for data collection and monitoring to assess the need for requirements for measures to reduce bycatch of all species, including marine mammals. Between 2011 and 2015, BCCSN provided 11 training workshops to employees of Archipelago Marine Research to familiarize fisheries observers with marine mammal species identification (Danelesko pers. comm. 2016).	R3, R4	DFO, ENGOs
2	7. Strengthen measures to reduce entanglement risk	c) Develop solutions to predator interactions, quarterly reporting	Ongoing	Completed	In 2010, DFO implemented mandatory reporting of incidental drowning of marine mammals at aquaculture sites. Mortalities must be reported within 24 hours of the incident. Data provided in reports includes date, time, and species identification, whether there were fish on site, mitigation measures in place prior to the incident, circumstances that led to the incident, and corrective measures to be taken after the incident (Shaw pers. comm. 2016). *Ongoing review and revision of reporting requirements as needed	P1, R3, R4	DFO
2	7. Strengthen measures to reduce entanglement risk	d) Develop and evaluate best management practices	Ongoing	Completed	Certification standards and mandatory public reporting have led to the aquaculture industry developing best management practices to reduce Steller Sea Lion depredation and associated entanglement. These practices include making changes to the infrastructure and material of antipredator nets (Shaw pers. comm. 2016). *Ongoing review and revision of practices as needed	P1, M2	DFO, industry
2	7. Strengthen measures to reduce entanglement risk	e) Alternative gear types (fishing, aquaculture)	Ongoing as new information becomes available	In progress	Industry-led shifts in some of the gear used in aquaculture operations are underway. These include changes to net materials used in antipredator nets to reduce the incidence of sea lion depredation and entanglement (Shaw pers. comm. 2016). The Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG)^{Table 2 Footnote 4} is working with a company in Georgia to develop biodegradable packing bands to mitigate the threat of entanglement in marine debris to sea lions in the U.S. (Rotterman pers. comm. 2016). NOAA is undertaking a national effort to develop non-lethal deterrents for marine mammals, to reduce incidence of depredation and fisheries interactions (Rotterman pers. comm. 2016). This effort has included a three-day workshop to evaluate the risks of deterrents to marine mammals and to inform development of American guidelines on safely deterring both U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed and non-listed marine mammals (Long et al. 2015).	P1, M2	Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), Industry, NOAA
2	8. Determine risk associated with lifting of moratorium on offshore fossil fuel extraction	-	Ongoing	In progress	Several published studies and technical reports have assessed overall environmental and economic risks associated with offshore oil and gas development in Canadian waters (e.g., Elvin and Fraser 2012; Noble et al. 2013). A peer-reviewed study used marine mammal carcass recovery rates to illustrate that effects of offshore spills on marine mammals can be much greater than observed mortalities imply (Williams et al. 2011). There are no offshore fossil fuel extraction projects currently proposed or underway in B.C. waters. In the event a project is proposed, DFO conducts site-specific risk assessments.	P1, D1, D2, R3, M2 to M5	Academia
3	9. Data collection	a) Collection of tissue samples	Opportunistically	In progress	Steller Sea Lion tissue samples are collected during necropsies by DFO and members of the MMRN when possible (Cottrell pers. comm. 2016).	R2, R3, M1	DFO, PCA
3	9. Data collection	b) Brand re-sighting; photographs of branded animals	Ongoing	In progress	Annual dedicated brand re-sight surveys are undertaken by NOAA contractors in Canadian waters (Gearin pers. comm. 2016). NOAA collaborates with DFO, PCA, the University of British Columbia (UBC), Ocean Wise, and independent researchers to lead this effort and includes opportunistic data when available (Gearin pers. comm. 2016; Szaniszlo pers. comm. 2016). These brand re-sight data have been used to estimate apparent survival rates of Steller Sea Lions branded in California and Oregon (Wright et al. 2017).	R1, R2, R3, M1	NOAA, Academia, DFO, ENGOs, independent researchers, PCA
3	10. Contribute, support, foster research on:	a) Important foraging areas, seasonal distribution	Ongoing	In progress	Aerial survey data collected in summer, autumn, and winter from 2008 to 2013 were used to assess seasonal changes in Steller Sea Lion abundance and distribution in B.C. Dramatic seasonal shifts in distribution were observed, including far less aggregation in winter than in summer (Olesiuk 2018). UBC conducted boat-based surveys for Steller Sea Lions, including counts at haul-outs, scat collection, and brand re-sight data collection in July 2013. The Makah Fisheries Management (MFM) Marine Mammal Program has been conducting year-round boat-based surveys of Steller Sea Lions at haul-outs in NW Washington since 2007 to document seasonal distribution of Steller Sea Lions in this area (Scordino and Akmajian 2013). PCA conducts boat-based counts of Steller Sea Lions at three haul-out sites in Pacific Rim National Park during summer months (Yakimishyn pers. comm. 2016).	P1, R2, R3, M1, M6	DFO, Academia, MFM, PCA
3	10. Contribute, support, foster research on:	b) Diet outside the breeding season	Ongoing	In progress	DFO has been collecting winter scat samples in B.C. waters since 2013 to determine Steller Sea Lion diet outside the breeding season (Majewski pers. comm. 2016). Independent researchers collect scat samples at Long Beach Rocks (on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C.) four times per year; and continue to inform diet outside of breeding season (Szaniszlo pers. comm. 2016). A study by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) used 1,416 scat samples collected from Steller Sea Lions in Oregon and Northern California to describe the diet and seasonally important prey species of these animals. Diet composition varied between breeding and non-breeding seasons, with hake and salmonids as the most commonly identified prey in the summer, and hake and skate as the most commonly identified prey in the non-breeding season (Riemer et al. 2011). 776 Steller Sea Lion scat samples collected year-round in northern Washington State between 2010 and 2013 were analyzed to determine diet diversity, seasonal variation in diet, and overlap between the diets of Steller Sea Lions and California Sea Lions (Scordino et al. 2013). A total of 1,684 Steller Sea Lion scat samples collected during spring, summer, fall, and winter in Frederick Sound, Alaska were analyzed by UBC researchers to describe breeding and non-breeding season diet of Steller Sea Lions in this area. Pollock was the most important prey species in all seasons and years. Other significant prey types, including herring, hake, and arrowtooth flounder, showed seasonal variation in their importance (Tollit et al. 2015). Techniques to improve estimates of the proportions of various prey species in the diet of Steller Sea Lions have been developed by researchers with the UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit (e.g., Bowles et al. 2011).	P1, R2, R3, M1, M6	Academia, DFO, Independent researchers, MFM, ODFW
3	10. Contribute, support, foster research on:	c) Maintenance of brand re-sight database	Ongoing	Completed (Ongoing effort)	A central brand re-sight database is maintained by the ODFW and contains 12 years of data from all branding studies and brand re-sight surveys, including contributions from DFO (Gearin pers. comm. 2016). NOAA collaborates with Canadian researchers from DFO, PCA, UBC, Ocean Wise, and other organizations and independent researchers to collect brand re-sight photographs (Gearin pers. comm. 2016).	R2, M1	NOAA, ODFW, academia, DFO, ENGOs, independent researchers, PCA
4	11. Assess sustainability of total human caused mortality	-	Ongoing	Complete (US) In progress (Canada)	Based on currently available data, the total estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury for the Eastern Pacific U.S. stock of Steller Sea Lions (108 individuals) does not exceed the potential biological removal (PBR) (2,498 individuals) (Muto et al. 2017). PBR has not been calculated for Steller Sea Lions in Canadian waters. COSEWIC (2013) indicates that based on growth of the population, anthropogenic threats may be within sustainable levels.	P1, R4	NOAA, DFO, COSEWIC
4	12. Assess potential for fisheries competition for prey resources	-	Ongoing	In progress	UBC researchers used a nutrigenomic approach to detect and quantify nutritional stress in Steller Sea Lions (Spitz et al. 2015). This approach provides the potential for better understanding of when factors including competition with fisheries may be affecting Steller Sea Lions in Canada. Several studies undertaken by UBC and the Ocean Wise focused on Steller Sea Lion prey and energetic requirements (see review by Rosen et al. 2016) can inform the potential for competition between Steller Sea Lions and fisheries in Canada.	P1, R3, M6	Academia, ENGOs
4	13. Determine seasonal variation in significance of research disturbance at haul-outs and rookeries	-	Ongoing	In progress	Wilson et al. (2012) modeled the relationship between summertime research disturbance and behaviour at rookeries in Alaska. They found that although disturbance led to changes in proportions of sea lions exhibiting certain behaviours (agonistic, resting, and active), low-frequency disturbance did not appear to have long-term effects on sea lion behaviour or abundance at rookery sites. Keogh et al. (2013) studied endocrine profiles of Steller Sea Lion pups in Alaska during summer found that circulating concentrations of various stress hormones, including cortisol and thyroid hormones, were higher immediately following researchers’ arrival on the rookery but that levels decreased with elapsed time following arrival, indicating that pups were able to begin to recover within the sampling period.	D1, D2, R3, M3	Academia, NOAA, ENGOs
4	14. Gather information on entanglement rates observed by researchers	-	Ongoing	In progress	Dedicated and opportunistic surveys to document Steller Sea Lion entanglements off the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. have been conducted since 2005. Preliminary results estimate that approximately 350 individual Steller Sea Lions were entangled in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and surrounding haul-outs between 2005 and 2013. Entangled individuals included members of both sexes and all age classes (Szaniszlo pers. comm. 2016). The minimum estimated mean annual mortality and serious injury rate due to interactions with fisheries between 2010 and 2014 in all American fisheries is 52 Steller Sea Lions (Muto et al. 2017). The Makah Fisheries Management Marine Mammal Program documents Steller Sea Lion entanglements during year-round boat-based surveys in northwestern Washington. Analyses of entanglement rates are in progress (Scordino pers. comm. 2016).	P1, R3, M1, M2	ENGOs, Independent researchers, MFM, NOAA
4	15. Analysis of toxin and pathogen loading	-	Ongoing	In progress	Alava et al. (2012) analyzed PBDE and PCB concentrations in blubber of 22 Steller Sea Lions entering the Strait of Georgia, B.C. and found 80% of samples exceeded the toxicity reference value for PCBs. Recent analyses of pathogen loading in Steller Sea Lions in B.C. waters have not been conducted (Raverty pers. comm. 2016). Beckmen et al. (2016) analyzed concentrations of PCBs and DDT in tissues samples of Steller Sea Lions from eastern and western Alaska. This allowed for comparisons of patterns in the concentration of these toxins between tissues and between individuals from these two populations. Muscle samples from marine mammals, including 27 Steller Sea Lions that stranded along the Oregon and southern Washington coasts, were analyzed for levels of total mercury. Analyses concluded that total levels indicated limited accumulation (Wintle et al. 2011). A peer-reviewed study examined samples from free-ranging Steller Sea Lion pups and juveniles in Alaska to determine frequency of infection by a subset of common and pathogenic bacteria. Baseline data were obtained about strains of common bacteria in Steller Sea Lions from the western and eastern populations. Bacterial agents that can cause disease in animals with weakened immune systems or poor nutritional status were identified (Carrasco et al. 2011).	P1, R3, M2	Academia, ADFG, Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services, DFO, NMFS, WDFW
4	16. Assess sources of biological pollutants	-	Ongoing	In progress	Scat samples collected from Steller Sea Lions in Washington State were analyzed for saxitoxin and domoic acid concentrations. Toxins in sea lion scat were significantly associated with a variety of planktivorous, benthic, and pelagic fish, indicating multiple sources and pathways for toxin exposure (Akmajian 2016). Peer-reviewed studies indicated that pathogenic parasites, including Sarcocystis neurona, were present in several stranded Steller Sea Lions sampled in southern B.C., Washington, and Oregon. The definitive host for this parasite is the Virginia Opossum, whose range is expanding northward (Barbosa et al. 2015). Based on temporal correlations between terrestrial runoff and sea otter deaths caused by these parasites, land-based runoff appears to be a major source of these biological pollutants (Shapiro et al. 2012).	R3, M2	Academia, MFM, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, CDFW, NIAID, WDFW, ENGOs
4	17. Identify significant non-point source toxic contamination	-	Ongoing	In progress	In 2015, the Ocean Wise initiated “PollutionTracker,” a monitoring framework with 51 stations along the coast of B.C. to provide coast-wide information about contaminant levels, types of contaminants, and management. Contaminant data are collected from sediment and mussels and will be reported on every three years (Ross pers. comm. 2017). A peer-reviewed study assessed the regional impacts of municipal wastewater in the Strait of Georgia, B.C. Wastewater contributed <10% of PCBs but approximately 60% of PBDEs captured in the sediment. Wastewater is not likely to cause eutrophication or harmful algal blooms in this area; however, is a source of metals (including mercury and lead), and likely of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (Johannessen et al. 2015). Levels of PFCs were sampled in surface waters at several sites in Puget Sound, WA, and off the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. Levels of PFCs in samples from the relatively remote areas of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, B.C. were similar to those from the more urbanized sites in Puget Sound, suggesting that this toxic contamination results from regional sources, including wastewater and paper mills (Dinglasan-Panlilio et al. 2014). Ongoing research by the Ocean Wise’s Ocean Pollution Research Program is focused on the concentrations and types of microplastic pollution off the coast of B.C (Ross pers. comm. 2017). Based on ingestion rates of microplastics by zooplankton at the base of the marine food web, adult salmon may ingest up to 91 microplastic particles per day, indicating that marine mammal predators, including Steller Sea Lions, are exposed to large amounts of this emerging contaminant through their prey (Desforges et al. 2015). Surface runoff in waters that flow into Puget Sound, WA were sampled in 2009 and 2010 as part of a study to understand the timing and sources of contaminant and pollutant loading in Puget Sound (Ecology 2011).	R3, M2	Academia, DFO, ENGOs, WSDE, Environmental consulting, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
5	18. Support, contribute to coordination of range-wide surveys, every four years	-	Ongoing	Completed	Aerial surveys of the B.C. coast continue to be conducted by DFO as part of range-wide breeding season surveys undertaken by DFO and NOAA. The most recent survey was conducted in 2013. The next range-wide surveys are planned for 2017 and 2021 (Majewski pers. comm. 2016). Analysis of Canadian aerial survey data collected by DFO indicates that the Canadian population has been growing rapidly, with non-pup counts increasing from 4,860 (SE = 254) during surveys between 1971 to 1982 surveys to 22,135 individuals in the most recent (2013) breeding season survey; growing at an average annual rate of 3.8% (Olesiuk 2018). NOAA surveys are ongoing as part of the Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan for this population. The most recent surveys of Steller Sea Lions in southeast Alaska were conducted in 2015 (Fritz et al. 2015), while the most recent counts from Washington, Oregon, and California occurred in 2013 (Muto et al. 2017). NOAA estimates the entire 2015 Eastern stock non-pup count as 52,139 (95% confidence interval: 45,428-59,111). This estimate does not account for individuals that are at sea (Muto et al. 2017).	P1, D1, D2, R1, M1	DFO, NOAA
5	19. Consider biennial rookery surveys	-	Conducted in 2008, next survey is funding-dependent	Not started (Canada) In progress (U.S.)	Biennial rookery surveys have not been undertaken by DFO due to limited capacity (Majewski pers. comm. 2016). Biennial rookery surveys were conducted by NOAA in southeast Alaska in 2013 and 2015 (Muto et al. 2017); however, range-wide surveys of the Eastern population of Steller Sea Lions remain on a four-year cycle.	P1, D1, D2, R1, R2, M1	DFO, NOAA
6	20. Foster improved communication networks	a) Pro-actively build communication networks	3 years	In progress	A MMRN Advisory Team made up of representatives from DFO, Province of B.C., ENGOs, and PCA was formed in 2015 to facilitate communication regarding marine mammal response among agencies.^{Table 2 Footnote 5} The DFO-funded BC MMRN is a collaborative program between government, research, conservation and outreach groups, and others which aims to promote the conservation and protection of marine mammals and sea turtles in BC waters. UBC hosts an annual B.C. Marine Mammal Symposium to facilitate communication and sharing of information regarding marine mammal (including Steller Sea Lion) research, management, and outreach activities. The DFO Marine Mammal Coordinator meets with members of the whale watching community annually during pre- and post-season meetings to promote MMRN and BWW and to maintain communication with stakeholders in the whale watch industry (Cottrell pers. comm. 2016). See also action 20b for additional examples.	M1, M2	Academia, CCG, DFO, ECCC, ENGOs, NOAA, PCA, Province of B.C.
6	20. Foster improved communication networks	b) Trans-boundary and inter-jurisdictional collaboration	3 years	Completed (Ongoing effort)	DFO and several organizations in B.C. (PCA, the Ocean Wise, UBC, and independent researchers) assist U.S.-led research efforts by recovering tags and collecting brand re-sight data (Gearin pers. comm. 2016). Survey timing for range-wide Steller Sea Lion population assessments is coordinated between DFO and NOAA (Majewski pers. comm. 2016). PEG began a collaboration between NMFS and ADFG, but has recently expanded to include B.C. participants, including the Ocean Wise (Rotterman pers. comm. 2016; Szaniszlo pers. comm. 2016). Techniques for sea lion disentanglement developed in B.C. have been shared with responders in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska through training workshops (Haulena pers. comm. 2016). An international workshop focused on pinniped entanglement was held at the Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial conference in San Francisco in 2015 and included participants from B.C. (Szaniszlo pers. comm. 2016). A meeting hosted by NOAA attended by DFO, ADFG, ODFW, the U.S. National Park Service, UBC, the Ocean Wise, and several other organizations was held in spring 2016 to discuss, compile, and evaluate the results of monitoring efforts throughout the range of the eastern population of Steller Sea Lions (Majewski pers. comm. 2016).	All	ADFG, DFO, ENGOs, NOAA, academia, independent researchers
6	20. Foster improved communication networks	c) Ongoing media communication and promotion of the MMR and BWW	Ongoing	Completed (Ongoing effort)	DFO fisheries officers provide information about BWW to stakeholders, members of the fishing industry, and members of the public (Cottrell pers. comm. 2016). ENGOs, including BCCSN, Cetus, MERS, and NCCS, promote BWW guidelines and responsible vessel operation around marine mammals through presentations, signage, and other outreach materials. Over 14,479 BWW brochures, 267 BWW posters, and 1,344 BWW stickers were distributed coast-wide by these organizations between 2011 and 2015. Gitga’at First Nation, HGMSG, Namgis First Nation inform fishing lodges and vessel operators from the North Coast of B.C., Haida Gwaii, and Vancouver Island of appropriate marine mammal viewing protocols. Straitwatch promoted BWW guidelines via on-water and land-based programs in 2011, 2012, 2014, reaching over 4,945 vessel operators and passengers around Vancouver Island. Tourism industry associations operate according to codes of conduct/ Best Practices Guidelines to ensure responsible viewing of marine wildlife (North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association 2012; Pacific Whale Watch Association 2014). PCA includes information about BWW in their mandatory visitor orientation at Gwaii Haanas, B.C. and promotes BWW opportunistically in other parks (Helms pers. comm. 2016; Parks Canada Agency 2016).	M1	DFO, ENGOs, First Nations, industry, PCA
6	20. Foster improved communication networks	d) Support, where feasible, independent education and awareness programs	Ongoing	Completed (Ongoing effort)	PEG has developed a “Lose the Loop” public outreach campaign aimed at reducing the number of Steller Sea Lion entanglements in marine debris. This campaign includes a video, posters, participation in outreach events, and ads in tide books (Rotterman pers. comm. 2016). Several ENGOs, including Ocean Wise, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, and the Living Oceans Society have programs aimed at reducing marine debris through shoreline cleanups, retrieval of abandoned fishing gear, and outreach activities. PCA develops and delivers interpretive programs focused on species at risk, including Steller Sea Lions (Helms, pers. comm. 2016). Sea View Marine Sciences and Archipelago Marine Research developed and delivered a First Nations education program that included information about threats to Steller Sea Lions (Hall pers. comm. 2016). MERS provides training to tourism operators, naturalists, and the public about marine mammal biology and conservation, including threats to Steller Sea Lions. The BCCSN provides information about anthropogenic threats to marine mammals, including Steller Sea Lions, to over 100,000 mariners, coastal citizens, and members of the public each year through outreach events, presentations, social media, and publications. The Whale Trail, a program to inspire marine mammal stewardship and raise awareness about threats to marine mammals, extended to B.C. in 2015 through cooperation with Ocean Wise.	M1, M2	ENGOs, NOAA, PCA, ADFG, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Seattle Aquarium, WDFW

Footnote 1

Lead participant(s) is/are listed on top and in bold; other participants are listed alphabetically; not all activities have specific participants identified.

Return to footnote1 referrer

Footnote 2

While outside the reporting period, the Government of Canada’s recent emergency response initiatives under OPP are relevant for consideration and have been included in the table for information only.

Return to footnote2 referrer

Footnote 3

The final plan was released in November 2017 (Bartier pers. comm. 2018).

Return to footnote3 referrer

Footnote 4

Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG) was initiated by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game; also includes members from Canadian ENGOs and universities.

Return to footnote4 referrer

Footnote 5

CCG command systems are being strengthened under Canada’s national Oceans Protection Plan launched in 2016. TC, DFO, ECCC and their partners (e.g., Ocean Wise, Focus Wildlife, other contractors) are also reviewing and improving their communications to ensure readiness in the event of a spill.

Return to footnote5 referrer

3.2 Summary of progress towards conservation

3.2.1 Status of actions and approaches

Thirty-two actions and approaches from the management plan are identified in Table 2, columns 1 and 2. Of the 32 actions and approaches identified, 8 have been completed for Steller Sea Lions in Canadian waters (25%). Activities to meet 21 actions and approaches are in progress, and are not completed at this time (66%). The activities in progress may be ongoing with no specific endpoint. Activities in support of three approaches have not yet started (9%).

4 Concluding statement

Significant progress has been made toward meeting many of the objectives and strategies outlined in the management plan. These include:

continued monitoring and assessment of the Steller Sea Lion population
progress toward better understanding the year-round diet and prey requirements of Steller Sea Lions
continued transboundary cooperation between DFO, NOAA, and other organizations in Canada and the U.S. to undertake Steller Sea Lion research and mitigate threats
research into rates of entanglement for Steller Sea Lions and development of successful disentanglement methods
ongoing outreach and education programs to raise awareness about threats to this population and how members of the public can aid in mitigating these threats

The majority of the actions and approaches outlined in the management plan are underway, and many of these activities are ongoing efforts that will continue to provide further understanding of Steller Sea Lion biology and anthropogenic threats to this species into the future.

Since the completion of the management plan, the Eastern Population Segment of Steller Sea Lions in American waters has been delisted (National Marine Fisheries Service 2013), and aerial surveys conducted by DFO indicate that the number of Steller Sea Lions in B.C. waters has been increasing at an average annual rate of 3.8% (Olesiuk 2018). Additionally, Steller Sea Lions are now breeding at all four historic rookeries in B.C., and have established at least two new rookeries (Olesiuk 2018). These trends toward continued population growth indicate that threats to Steller Sea Lions do not currently appear to have population-wide impacts and that conservation of this population is feasible.

5 References

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Appendix A: Acronyms

ADFG: Alaska Department of Fish and Game

BCCSN: British Columbia Cetacean Sightings Network

B.C.: British Columbia

BWW: Be Whale Wise

CCGS: Canadian Coast Guard Services

CCME: Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

CDFW: California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Cetus: Cetus Research and Conservation Society

COSEWIC: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

DDT: dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane

DFO: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

ECCC: Environment and Climate Change Canada

ENGOs: Environmental Non-governmental Organizations

ESA: U.S. Endangered Species Act

HGMSG: Haida Gwaii Marine Stewardship Group

KCDNRP: King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

MERS: Marine Education and Research Society

MFM: Makah Fisheries Management

MMR: Marine Mammal Regulations under Canada’s Fisheries Act

MMRN: Marine Mammal Response Network

NCCS: North Coast Cetacean Society

NIAID: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NMFS: U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

ODFW: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

OPP: Oceans Protection Plan

PBDEs: polybrominated diphenyl ethers

PBR: Potential Biological Removal

PCA: Parks Canada Agency

PCBs: polychlorinated biphenyls

PCNs: polychlorinated napthalenes

PCDDs: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins

PCDFs: polychlorinated dibenzofurans

PEG: Pinniped Entanglement Group –

PFCs: perfluorinated compounds

PICFI: Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative

SARA: Species at Risk Act

TC: Transport Canada

UBC: University of British Columbia

WDFW: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

WSDE: Washington State Department of Ecology

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Date modified:: 2018-12-04

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