Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Abundance in Canadian Pacific Waters in 2021

Abstract

Steller sea lions are listed as Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) based on vulnerability associated with highly concentrated breeding aggregations. As required under SARA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) developed a Management Plan for Steller sea lions, which includes recommendations for ongoing range-wide monitoring of distribution and abundance. The information obtained through such surveys is necessary to monitor risk to the population, by identifying new or re-established rookeries on the coast of British Columbia (BC), and to inform management actions that serve to protect the species from identified threats. Science was requested to provide an update on abundance, range and population trends for Steller sea lions in Canadian Pacific waters to support the following: Monitoring of Steller sea lion population recovery; Monitoring of key prey populations for recovering Transient killer whales; Assessment of potential competition with Resident killer whales for fish prey species; Marine Protected Areas (MPA) planning; and, Oil-spill response. An estimate of Potential Biological Removal (PBR) was also requested to meet new requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and support assessment of emerging proposals for harvest. This Science Response Report results from the national peer review of December 2, 2024, on Updated Population Status Assessment for Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Canadian Pacific Waters.