Ancient murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus): proposed management plan 2015

Species at Risk Act
Management Plan Series

Ancient Murrelet

Cover photo

2015

Document Information

Cover page

Recommended citation:

Environment Canada. 2015. Management Plan for the Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. iii + 33 pp.

For copies of the management plan, or for additional information on species at risk, including COSEWIC Status Reports and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Cover illustration: © Ian Lewington

Également disponible en français sous le titre « Plan de gestion du Guillemot à cou blanc (Synthliboramphus antiquus) au Canada Proposition] »

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2015. All rights reserved.
ISBN
Catalogue no.

Content (excluding the illustrations) 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. Under the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), the federal competent ministers are responsible for the preparation of management plans for listed species of special concern and are required to report on progress five years after the publication of the final document on the SAR public registry.

The federal Minister of the Environment and the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency are the competent ministers under SARA for the Ancient Murrelet and have prepared this management plan as per section 65 of SARA. To the extent possible it has been prepared in cooperation with the Province of British Columbia, and the Council of the Haida Nation.

Success in the conservation of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in this plan and will not be achieved by Environment Canada, the Parks Canada Agency, or any other jurisdiction alone. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this plan for the benefit of the Ancient Murrelet and Canadian society as a whole.

Implementation of this management plan is subject to appropriations, priorities, and budgetary constraints of the participating jurisdictions and organizations.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to the Ancient Murrelet Management Team: Bill Beldessi and Nick Reynolds (Haida Nation), Ainsley Brown and Keith Moore (Laskeek Bay Conservation Society), Heather Major (Consultant), Peter Davidson and Rob Butler (Bird Studies Canada), Ross Vennesland (Parks Canada Agency), Heather Brekke (Fisheries and Oceans Canada), Caroline Fox (Raincoast Conservation Foundation), Tony Gaston, Megan Harrison, Dan Shervill (Environment Canada).

Shelley Garland and Hugh Knechtel prepared the preliminary draft document on behalf of Environment Canada. Many thanks to the people who contributed personal communications, unpublished reports and advice during the preparation of this management plan. These people include: Carita Bergman and Peter Dyment (Parks Canada Agency), Douglas Bertram, Tony Gaston, Mark Hipfner, Moira Lemon, Ken Morgan, Patrick O’Hara, Laurie Wilson and Andrea Norris (Environment Canada), Harry Carter (Carter Biological Consulting), Gregg Howald (Island Conservation Canada), Paul Janson and Steve Kress (National Audubon Society), and Myke Chutter and Berry Wijdeven (Government of British Columbia).

Executive Summary

The Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) is a small (about 25 cm long) seabird in the Alcidae family. It was assessed in April 1993 as Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). It was re-examined in 2004 and confirmed as Special Concern due to introduced mammalian predation on the breeding islands. The species was listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2006.

The Ancient Murrelet ranges from the north of China, along the Pacific Rim, to Baja California. Breeding colonies exist in China, Korea, and Japan, Russia, Alaska and Canada. In Canada, Ancient Murrelets breed on the islands of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, with approximately half of the world’s breeding birds nesting on 31 island colonies. On the Canadian colonies, Ancient Murrelets nest in burrows dug in the soft soil under the forest canopy, usually within 400 m of the shoreline. The diet of Ancient Murrelet mainly consists of zooplankton and small schooling fish.

The main threat to Ancient Murrelets in Canada is predation on the breeding colonies as a result of introduced mammalian predators. Black Rats (Rattus rattus), Norway Rats (R. norvegicus) and Common Raccoons (Procyon lotor) have been linked to multiple colony population declines and extirpations. Recent research has also indicated that a reduction in juvenile at-sea survival, and therefore a reduction in the recruitment to the breeding population, probably also contributed to population declines. Other threats include oil spills, both chronic and catastrophic, impacts from tourism and recreation, fisheries bycatch, fishing of prey species and oceanographic change. Windthrow events and forestry are also considered threats, but are currently considered to be lower levels of concern.

The objectives of this management plan are:

  1. To maintain or increase the current breeding population of Ancient Murrelet within the known Canadian range.
  2. To otherwise augment the international population numbers in Canadian waters by reducing at-sea mortality for Ancient Murrelets.

Broad strategies and measures to achieve the management objectives are presented in the section entitled Broad Strategies and Conservation Measures.

1. COSEWIC Species Assessment Information

Date of Assessment: November 2004

Common Name (population): Ancient Murrelet

Scientific Name: Synthliboramphus antiquus

COSEWIC Status: Special Concern

Reason for Designation: This burrow–nesting seabird is impacted by mammalian predators that have been introduced to its breeding islands. Predators have been removed from some islands but populations have not increased as a result. About half of the world population nests in Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia; the Canadian population is thought to be declining.

Canadian Occurrence: British Columbia

COSEWIC Status History: Designated Special Concern in April 1993. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2004.

2. Species Status Information

Globally, the rank assigned to the Ancient Murrelet is G4 (apparently secure; NatureServe 2013). Within British Columbia, however, the species is listed as vulnerable to imperiled (Table 1).

Table 1. List and description of various conservation status ranks for the Ancient Murrelet (from NatureServe 2013, B.C. Conservation Data Centre 2013, B.C. Conservation Framework 2013).
Name Global(G) Rank National (N) Rank Sub-national (S) Rank COSEWIC Status B.C. Conservation Status
Ancient Murrelet G4 Canada: N2N3B, N4N
U.S.A.: N4B, N4N
British Columbia (S2S3B, S4N) SC (Special Concern) Blue List (B.C. CDC)
Conservation Framework Priority 1 under Goal 3Footnotea

G/N/S 1: Critically Imperiled; 2: Imperiled; 3: Vulnerable; 4: Apparently Secure; 5: Secure; B: Breeding; N: non-breeding;
B.C. CDC: British Columbia Conservation Data Centre

3. Species Information

3.1 Species Description

The Ancient Murrelet is a small (about 25 cm long) auk (in the Alcid seabird family). Males and females look very similar. The adults are dove-gray above and white below, with dark slate flight feathers, a yellow-tipped bill and a black chin, nape, and throat. During the breeding season, adults have more white around the crown and upper back. For more detailed information, see the COSEWIC status reports (COSEWIC 2004) and Gaston (1994a).

3.2 Population and Distribution

The species ranges along the northern Pacific rim, from north of China to Baja California (COSEWIC 2004; Figure. 1). About half the world’s breeding population, an estimated 256,000 pairs, nests on 31 islands in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada (previously known as the Queen Charlotte Islands; Rodway 1991; Gaston 1992; Vermeer et al. 1997; Figure. 2). The Alaskan breeding population is estimated at around 200,000 pairs; although population estimates are incomplete. The number of murrelets that nest in China, Japan, and Korea are thought to be no more than a few thousand individuals (COSEWIC 2004). The largest colonies in Russia, located on Talan Island and Starichkov Island, support an estimated 22,000 and 13,000 individuals, respectively (USFWS 2003). During the non-breeding season, the at-sea distribution of Ancient Murrelets extends from the Bering Sea, west to the Sea of Japan, Strait of Korea and east coast of Japan and south to Baja California (Gaston 1992; Gaston and Jones 1998; Harfenist 2004). For a more detailed account of the global population and distribution refer to COSEWIC 2004.

The Canadian breeding population is concentrated mainly in two areas of Haida Gwaii. Three large breeding colonies on the west coast of Graham Island in the north support approximately 49% of the breeding population, and 17 colonies on the east coast of Moresby Island to the south, in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site ("Gwaii Haanas"), support approximately 44% of the breeding population (Lemon and Gaston 1999). Islands off the west coast of Moresby Island support the remaining 7% (Rodway 1991). A single incubating adult was found on the Moore Islands on the northern mainland coast in 1970, but a later survey in 1988 found no evidence of breeding (Campbell et al. 1990; Rodway and Lemon 1991). Carter and Sealy (2008) confirmed breeding on Triangle Island in the Scott Islands chain off northwest Vancouver Island, based on two egg sets collected in 1949, and presented possible evidence for Ancient Murrelet on Lanz and Cox Islands, also in the Scott Islands chain, in 1950Footnote1. All three islands belong to the Scott Islands off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. However, mammalian predators introduced to Lanz and Cox Islands (Carl et al. 1951; Rodway et al. 1990) and reduced prey availability attributed to fluctuating sea surface temperature (Hipfner 2008) may have caused local extirpation.

Declines of up to 23% during the 1980s and 1990s occurred at Haida Gwaii colonies where predators had been introduced (COSEWIC 2004). Introduced rats have been blamed for declines or extirpations on Langara, Lyell, Kunghit, Cox, Lucy, Murchison, and Bischof Islands in Haida Gwaii (Bertram and Nagorsen 1995; Harfenist and Kaiser 1997). Declines on Helgesen, Saunders and Limestone Islands have been attributed to Common Raccoons (Procyon lotor) (Gaston and Masselink 1997). Eleven other small colonies were extirpated in the 1970s and 1980s (Summers 1974; Rodway et al. 1988; Rodway et al. 1990). Of those eleven small colonies, several now have well established raccoon populations (M. Lemon pers. comm. 2011). The predator-free colonies at Reef, Ramsay, and George Islands showed increases in the number of nesting burrows during the 1990s and 2000s, while numbers on Rankine Island appeared to be stable (Regehr et al. 2007; Gaston et al. 2009; Rodway and Lemon 2011). Lihou and Frederick Islands, two colonies without known introduced predators, have shown signs of recent declines (Gaston unpublished data 2011; H. Major pers. comm. 2011).

In 1995, rats were eradicated from Langara Island after Ancient Murrelet numbers had dropped from a historic estimate of 200,000 breeding pairs to fewer than 20,000 pairs by 1993 (Harfenist 1994; Kaiser et al. 1997; Taylor et al. 2000). In 1999, Ancient Murrelet numbers were still estimated at a low 10,00015,000 pairs. However, the estimated number of breeding pairs on Langara almost doubled from 1999 to 2004, with an estimated 20,000-30,000 breeding pairs in 2004 (Regehr et al. 2007).

The size and distribution of the Canadian non-breeding population is not well defined, although many at-sea bird surveys have recorded Ancient Murrelets along the coast of British Columbia during the non-breeding season.

Figure 1. Global Distribution of Ancient Murrelet (Source: Environment Canada. Adapted from COSEWIC 2004 and Ridgely et al. 2003).
Map (See long description below)

 

Long description for Figure 1

Figure 1 shows the extent of the species’ global distribution. It is present on the western coast of Canada and the United States (including Alaska) and spreads across the Pacific Ocean along the Aleutian Islands. It is found more sporadically in two locations in Russia and along the Kuril Islands. There are also eight locations spread amongst Japan, South Korea, and China.

Figure 2. Currently occupied (extant) and extirpated Ancient Murrelet colonies in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 2014.
Map (See long description below)

 

Long description for Figure 2

Figure 2 shows the Canadian distribution of the species in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. There are four extant colonies along the north-western coast of Graham Island, nine near Cape Kuper, and approximately fourteen on the west coast of Moresby Island. Two extirpated colonies are found on the northern tip of Haida Gwaii, and four on the southern tip. There is also one of these colonies on Tar Island, near Bischof Islands, on Rock Islet, on Boulder Island, and on Sea Pigeon Island.

3.3 Needs of the Ancient Murrelet

In Canada, Ancient Murrelets breed on forested islands between 20 and 12,000 ha in size (Gaston 1994b; H. Major pers. comm. 2011). Ancient Murrelets nest under forest canopy, but will use treeless islands if forested islands are not available. On the islands of Haida Gwaii, they dig burrows in soft soil, usually under tree roots, stumps, or fallen logs (COSEWIC 2004) and most burrows are situated within 300 to 400 m of the ocean (Rodway et al. 1988; Rodway et al. 1990; Rodway et al. 1994). Other than islands where River Otters (Lutra canadensis) occur, Ancient Murrelets do not successfully nest where terrestrial mammalian predators are found (Gaston 1992).

In Canada, Ancient Murrelets return to Haida Gwaii colonies in early March (Gaston and Jones 1998). The tendency of young to return to the colony of their birth is low in Ancient Murrelets (Gaston and Adkins 1998; Pearce et al 2002). Clutch completion occurs between mid-April and early May (Gaston and Jones 1998). There is a 6-day delay in breeding with every 1o C decrease in mean April sea-surface temperature close to the colony (Gaston 1992). Variation in timing of breeding between colonies may be dependent on when availability of food for the chicks is highest, or when predation risk for adults is at its lowest (Gaston 1997).

Ancient Murrelets are distributed throughout the temperate North Pacific, primarily in areas where the annual sea surface temperatures are between 5 and 15o C (Kitano 1981). During the breeding season, they are found primarily over the continental shelf with the highest densities near the shelf break (Vermeer et al. 1985) as well as occasionally 100s of km offshore (Kenyon et al. 2009) and in inshore waters (Gaston 1992). In the early evening and near dawn birds use waters adjacent to breeding colonies as gathering grounds (Harfenist 2004). While it is not clear where Ancient Murrelets spend the late summer/early fall (Campbell et al. 1990), during winter, they may be found over the continental shelf and slope (Harfenist 2004) or in protected waters such as in Hecate Strait, the Strait of Juan de Fuca or passages adjacent to the southern Gulf Islands (Kenyon et al. 2009, K. Morgan pers. comm. 20014). Ancient Murrelets commonly forage in water over the shelf break where upwellings concentrate prey items and force them to the surface (Vermeer et al. 1985; Gaston 1994a).

The diet of Ancient Murrelets is believed to be composed primarily of large zooplankton (krill species Euphausia pacifica and Thysanoessa spinifera), small schooling fish (primarily Pacific Sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus), juvenile Rockfish (Sebastes spp.) and juvenile Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasi) (COSEWIC 2004). The composition of the diet varies by season, age, location and availability (Sealy 1975; Vermeer et al. 1985; Gaston 1994a). For more detailed information, see the COSEWIC status report (COSEWIC 2004).

Ancient Murrelets in Canada do not appear to be limited by the availability of breeding habitat within a colony (Major et al. 2012), except at a few colonies where burrow density is high and all high quality habitat is occupied (COSEWIC 2004). The number of potential colony locations may be limited by prey availability, sea surface temperature, and/or the presence of mammalian predators (H. Major pers. comm. 2011).

Ancient Murrelets are known to have low recruitment potential. Survival of breeding adults (about 77%) is low compared to other alcids, and survival is likely lower for immature birds (Gaston 1990, Gaston and Descamps 2011). Breeding success is in the range of 1.44-1.69 chicks/pair (high compared to other alcids); however, juvenile survival could be low because relatively few birds banded as chicks have been documented returning to their natal colony to breed (Gaston 1992, 1994a, b). If the young are not returning to their natal colony, it is suggested that colony population size is dependent on recruitment from the larger meta-population. Threats to new recruits, both at the local colony and within the source populations, may play a larger role in influencing population growth rates than adult survival does (Gaston and Descamps 2011). This suggests the importance of maintaining multiple colonies throughout its range.

4. Threats

4.1 Threat Assessment

Table 2. Threat Assessment Table.
Threat Category Threat Level of ConcernTable notea.1 Extent Occurrence Frequency SeverityTable noteb Causal CertaintyTable notec
Exotic, Invasive or Introduced Species Introduced Mammalian Predators High Widespread Historic, Current, Anticipated Continuous High High
Pollution Oil Spills - Chronic Medium Localized Current, Anticipated Recurrent High Medium
Pollution Oil Spills - Catastrophic Medium Localized Historic, Anticipated Recurrent High High
Disturbance or Harm Tourism and Recreation Medium Localized Current, Anticipated Recurrent Moderate High
Changes in Ecological Dynamics or Natural Processes Oceanographic Change Medium Widespread Anticipated Continuous High Medium
Changes in Ecological Dynamics or Natural Processes Windthrow Events Low Localized Historic, Current, Anticipated Recurrent Moderate Medium
Accidental Mortality Fisheries Bycatch Low Localized Historic, Current, Anticipated Recurrent Low Low
Habitat Loss or Degradation Forestry Low Localized Historic Recurrent Moderate Medium
Other Fishing of Prey Species Low Widespread Anticipated Continuous Unknown Low

4.2. Description of Threats

1) Introduced Mammalian Predators

Introduced mammalian predators pose the most serious immediate threat to nesting Ancient Murrelets in Haida Gwaii (COSEWIC 2004). Black Rats (Rattus rattus), Norway Rats (R. norvegicus) and Common Raccoons are suspected to have caused Ancient Murrelet population declines on several islands and their extirpation on others (COSEWIC 2004).

In Haida Gwaii, rats are considered to be a major predator of Ancient Murrelets (Drever and Harestad 1998); and have been documented on 18 islands in the archipelago (Bertram and Nagorsen 1995). Rats are responsible for declines or extirpation of colonies on Kunghit, Langara, Lyell, Cox, Lucy, Murchison and Bischof Islands (Harfenist and Kasier 1997). The 90% decline in the Ancient Murrelet population on Langara is thought to be a result of rat predation (Bertram 1995). On Lyell Island, the population declined by 25%, from 10,656 breeding pairs in 1982 to 8,332 pairs in 1992 (Lemon 1993). The area of the Ancient Murrelet colony on Kunghit Island contracted from 35 hectares in 1986 to 11 hectares in 1993. Population declines were noted for parts of the colony, but an accurate comparison for the entire colony is not available (Rodway et al. 1988, Harfenist 1994). The contraction in colony area was attributed to rats (Harfenist 1994). A third survey of Kunghit in 2004 suggests that Ancient Murrelets have been extirpated from this site (Canadian Wildlife Service unpublished data; Regehr et al. 2007). Rats can reach colonies on commercial or pleasure boats or by shipwreck (Kaiser et al. 1997), but are less likely than raccoons to swim between islands (Harfenist 2004). Fishing lodges on Langara Island and along the West Coast of Haida Gwaii, and the vessels that service them, pose a risk for rat introductions (Kaiser et al. 1997).

Introduced raccoons have been documented on several islands with Ancient Murrelet colonies: Helgesen, Limestone, Ramsay, Skincuttle, Saunders and George and Adler islands (Bertram and Nagorsen 1995; Harfenist and Kaiser 1997; Harfenist et al. 2002; Laskeek Bay Conservation Society 2011a; Harfenist unpublished data; A. Gaston pers. comm. 2011; M. Hipfner pers. comm. 2011). Raccoons can cause substantial losses in seabird colonies and are the likely cause of declines on Limestone, Saunders and Helgesen Islands (COSEWIC 2004). For example, on East Limestone Island in 1991, three adult raccoons killed at least 11% of the Ancient Murrelet breeding population and were implicated in reducing the number of chicks that departed the colony by 35% (Gaston 1991; Gaston 1992). After the raccoons were removed in 1992, the number of departing chicks increased by 20% and adult mortality decreased by almost 80% (Gaston and Lawrence 1993). On Helgeson Island, with 8 to 15 raccoons present, the breeding population of Ancient Murrelets declined by 80% over a 7-year period (Gaston and Masselink 1997). Half of the colonies in the Haida Gwaii archipelago are vulnerable to raccoon invasion because of raccoons’ propensity to swim between islands (Lemon and Gaston 1999; Gaston and Masselink 1997; Hartman and Eastman 1997).

2) Oil Spills

In British Columbia, the federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration extends to offshore oil and gas activities, but does not include oil tanker traffic. Currently, the Tanker Exclusion Zone (TEZ), a voluntary tanker routing measure, is in effect in the coastal waters of B.C., but it applies only to loaded crude oil tankers in transit from Alaska to California (Canadian Coast Guard 2011). Coastal shipping of oil and condensate is projected to dramatically increase in the next decade with exportation to Asia and liquid natural gas development in northern B.C. (National Energy Board 2011; National Energy Board and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 2011). Increased oil transport by tanker or pipeline significantly increases the possibility of chronic oil spills and a catastrophic oil spill (COSEWIC 2004; Harfenist and Kaiser 1997).

  1. Chronic Oil Spills: Because of their biology and foraging behaviour, pelagic seabirds are vulnerable to chronic oil pollution. It has been a demonstrated cause of mortality in areas of Atlantic Canada (Wiese and Robertson 2004; O’Hara and Morandin 2010). Even small quantities of oil on the feathers can reduce survival through reductions in buoyancy and the ability to thermoregulate (Levy 1980; Morandin and O’Hara 2014). In B.C., Ancient Murrelets, Cassin’s Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata), and Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) are considered to be especially vulnerable to chronic oil spills due to their tendency to congregate during the breeding season (O’Hara and Morgan 2006). Despite their vulnerability, there is little direct evidence that Ancient Murrelets are impacted on a regular basis in either their breeding or non-breeding ranges. Results from the British Columbian Beach Bird Surveys (BBS) indicate that between 1986 and 2010 two Ancient Murrelets washed ashore with oiled plumage (Burger 2002; Bird Studies Canada unpublished data). It must be cautioned that BBS routes do not cover large portions of the Ancient Murrelet range and that wind and tide action along the coast of British Columbia often generates conditions that take bird carcasses offshore rather than depositing them on beaches. It is very likely that the occurrence of oiled birds is higher than suggested by the BBS results (O’Hara and Morgan 2006; P. Davidson pers. comm. 2012).

  2. Catastrophic Oil Spills: It is well established that catastrophic oil spills can lead to large scale population effects on marine birds, both through immediate mortality and long term effects due to persistence of oil in the ecosystem (Rodway et al. 1989; Peterson et al. 2003; Wiens 2007). For example, it was shown for Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) that negative effects lasted up to 20 years following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 (Iverson and Esler 2010; Esler et al. 2010). The presence of oil tankers moving through marine areas important to Ancient Murrelets poses a serious potential threat. While the breeding distribution is well known, it will be critical to better understand the non-breeding season distribution of Ancient Murrelets in Canadian waters to inform conservation and management decisions.

3) Tourism and Recreation

Disturbance of nesting or foraging Ancient Murrelets by tourists or other human activities is an ongoing concern (COSEWIC 2004). Recreational camping can damage habitat and injure or kill chicks and adults (Harfenist et al. 2002). Shoreline campfires near breeding colonies are a major concern as birds (adults and departing chicks) often become disoriented and will fly or run directly into the fire. Lights around campsites and on boats (both recreational and commercial) can also lead to disorientation and may lead to collisions with the light source (Harfenist et al. 2002; A. Gaston pers. comm. 2011).

4) Oceanographic Change

There is evidence that oceanographic changes could have long-term impacts on Ancient Murrelet populations (COSEWIC 2004). Correlations between oceanographic change in Hecate Strait and inter-annual changes in Ancient Murrelet breeding biology between 1983 and 1999 demonstrated that long-term changes in ocean conditions could impact on the health of the population (Gaston and Smith 2001; Shoji et al. 2011). It is suggested that warmer ocean temperatures shift the window of prey availability out of synch with the provisioning period of breeding Ancient Murrelets. During the strong El Nino – Southern Oscillation event of 1997-1998, Ancient Murrelets experienced reduced breeding success (Gaston and Smith 2001).

5) Windthrow Events

Recent evidence suggests that large scale windthrow events have impacts on nesting habitat at the breeding colonies. During the winter of 2010/2011, several large storms toppled trees on the seabird colonies in Laskeek Bay. Aerial surveys noted extensive windthrow on Limestone Island (East), Reef Island, and the Skedans Islands. On Limestone Island the windthrow events affected approximately half of the island, and entire portions of the Ancient Murrelet colony were completely destroyed. In regions of the colony that were destroyed, chick departure was not noted in 2011. In areas of the colony that were not destroyed, chick departures were the second lowest recorded. It is uncertain what the long term effects of the event are for Limestone Island (Laskeek Bay Conservation Society 2011b; T. Gaston pers. comm. 2011).

6) Fisheries Bycatch

  1. Gillnet Fisheries Bycatch:

    Smith and Morgan (2005) predicted that between 1,129 and 24,002 seabirds were killed by gillnets in B.C. each year, with Common Murres (Uria aalge) and Rhinoceros Auklets being the most heavily impacted. While the impact of gillnets on seabirds is well established, there is minimal direct evidence that Ancient Murrelets are caught in the commercial salmon gillnet fishery in B.C. (Smith and Morgan 2005; L. Wilson pers. comm. 2011).

    Between 2001 and 2006, a total bycatch of 640 seabirds from B.C. commercial salmon gillnet fisheries were entered into Fisheries and Oceans’ Fishery Operations System (FOS) database. Of those entered, only one was identified as an Ancient Murrelet, and most (621) were listed as “unknown species” (D. Bertram unpubl. data). Although there is minimal direct evidence in the FOS data of Ancient Murrelets being killed in gillnet fisheries in Canada there remains significant uncertainty in the accuracy of that data. The uncertainty arises from the limited number of at-sea observers monitoring seabird bycatch events, the probable under-reporting of bycatch events, and low proportion of birds identified to species. Additionally, a variety of gillnet fisheries are exempt from FOS, contributing to the overall uncertainty of the effects on gillnet bycatch on Ancient Murrelet (Smith and Morgan 2005; L. Wilson pers. comm. 2011; D. Bertram pers. comm. 2011).

    There is anecdotal evidence that bycatch from commercial gillnet fisheries around Langara Island, Haida Gwaii, resulted in high breeding season mortality of Ancient Murrelets in the 1950s and 1960s (Vermeer et al. 1984), and may have been one of the contributing factors to declines on that colony (Bertram 1995). While gillnet fishery effort has been reduced around the many protected areas on Haida Gwaii (H. Brekke pers. comm. 2012), a detailed analysis of the impacts of gillnet bycatch (outside of the FOS) has not been completed there (L. Wilson pers. comm. 2012).

    Preliminary analysis of geolocator archival tags recovered from a small number of adults breeding on Haida Gwaii (2 tags from Susk Gwaii, 2 tags from George Island) suggest some birds overwinter in the north Pacific Rim. Further efforts are needed to better understand Ancient Murrelet bycatch rates in north Pacific Rim net fisheries (both in terms of total numbers and age classes of individuals affected).

  2. Commercial Groundfish Hook and Line Fisheries Bycatch:

    In an assessment of Pacific Canada’s commercial groundfish hook and line fisheries (for 2006 through 2009), it was predicted that the average bycatch was 421 seabirds each year (range 156 - 759, Fisheries and Oceans 2012). Although unidentified birds accounted for more than 40% of the predicted average bycatch, there was no evidence to suggest that Ancient Murrelets were taken in the fisheries examined (K. Morgan pers. comm. 2014).

7) Forestry

Logging activity can directly affect Ancient Murrelet breeding activity by reducing habitat quality, both through the removal of the forest canopy, which is preferred by the birds, and through compaction of the soil, which makes burrowing more difficult (COSEWIC 2004). The logging activity taking place on Langara Island may be compromising the recovery of this colony (M. Chutter pers. comm. 2004).

However, because most sites where logging may occur are protected or are proposed protected areas (Harfenist 2004; A. Cober pers. comm.), logging is currently not considered to be a significant threat to this species (Gaston 1994b).

8) Over Fishing of Prey Species

Fishing of prey species may reduce the availability of these species for Ancient Murrelet. It is suspected that overfishing of prey species may impact prey availability for seabirds that depend on them (Harfenist et al. 2002).

5. Management Objectives

The management objectives for Ancient Murrelet in Canada are:

  1. To maintain or increase the current breeding population of Ancient Murrelet within the known Canadian range.
  2. To otherwise augment the international population numbers in Canadian waters by reducing at-sea mortality for Ancient Murrelets.

Rationale for the management objective:

This species is listed as Special Concern due to observed population declines and local extirpations (primarily because of introduced predators). It is acknowledged that the colony-specific data has highly variable survey effort and accuracy, and that breeding individuals do not show high colony fidelity. Consequently, setting individual colony targets is not considered to be prudent. Rather, progress towards the management objective will be measured using the overall Canadian breeding population. The Canadian breeding population was estimated at 256,000 breeding pairs (512,000 individuals) in the 2004 COSEWIC Status Report. Appendix B summarizes the survey data used in the COSEWIC determination, as well as colony data collected since then, and indicates that there have been declines within a number of colonies, potentially suggesting a decrease in the overall breeding population.

6. Broad Strategies and Conservation Measures

6.1 Actions Already Completed or Currently Underway

  • During the late 1990s and early 2000’s the Working Group on Raccoon-Seabird Interactions managed a program that monitored and researched raccoon activities on seabird colonies, controlled raccoon activity on a subset of affected colonies, and increased public awareness of this conservation issue on Haida Gwaii. The working group was made up of representatives from the Archipelago Management Board (Council of the Haida Nation and Government of Canada); British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and Environment Canada.

  • The Gwaii Haanas project entitled SGiN Xaana Sdiihltl'lxa (Night Birds Returning) is currently working with a number of local and international partners (Island Conservation Canada, Environment Canada - Canadian Wildlife Service, Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, a research group on introduced species, and Simon Fraser University) to eradicate introduced rats from seabird nesting islands within Gwaii Haanas. The project will include post-eradication monitoring. Efforts will be made to increase awareness of Gwaii Haanas protection and monitoring programs, including outreach and education about ecological integrity and the impacts, both cultural and ecological, of introduced species. This project began in 2009 and is proposed to be carried out through 2014.

  • In Canada, 16 of 31 active breeding colonies are found in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, and are subject to public use restrictions. The remaining active breeding colonies are currently zoned to restrict access and assess all acceptable land uses on the islands. The zoning is an outcome from the land use planning process between the Council of the Haida Nation and the Province of British Columbia. The planning process has led to the development of the Daawuuxusda (Council of the Haida Nation and B.C. Parks 2011a), Duu Guusd (Council of the Haida Nation and B.C. Parks 2011b), and K’uuna Gwaay (Council of the Haida Nation and B.C. Parks 2011c) management plans. These management plans classify the three corresponding regions as Haida Heritage Sites and British Columbian Conservancies and have zoned all seabird colonies as Management Unit Type 4, which aims to maintain natural biodiversity and ecological processes.

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada has programs in place to limit bycatch in net fisheries. They regulate the time and location of fisheries openings, target species, the type of nets used and how long these nets remain in the water. These measures are aimed at reducing mortality of non-target species, including seabirds. Additionally, there is an at-sea observer program for salmon fisheries and trawl fisheries, although coverage varies considerably. Some net fisheries remain exempt from these programs.

  • Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have established a Pacific coast seabird bycatch working group; the purpose of which is to better understand the extent and nature of seabird bycatch and to work together, along with industry to find ways to more effectively monitor and mitigate seabird bycatch.

  • The 24 years of citizen science by the Laskeek Bay Conservation Society has promoted Ancient Murrelet conservation and biological research through local community outreach, and an education and volunteer program. The long-term banding and population monitoring program of Ancient Murrelets has provided critical information on the demography of the species, highlighting the role of immigration in the dynamics of individual colonies (Gaston and Descamps 2011), as well as demonstrating a decline in breeding success over the period since 1990. These results have been linked to the effect of oceanographic changes on Ancient Murrelet breeding biology (Shoji et al. 2012). Declines during 1990-1995 (especially during 1990-1991) were probably due to raccoon predation (Hartman et al. 1997; Gaston and Descamps 2011).

  • Environment Canada has maintained permanent colony monitoring plots on Rankine, George, and Ramsay islands since 1986. These colonies are surveyed on a 5 year rotational basis. Intermittent surveys have been carried out at other colonies as opportunities arise.

  • A variety of ship-based surveys have collected data that will help identify at-sea areas of importance to Ancient Murrelets. Surveys include, but are not limited to, work done by Bird Studies Canada, the Pacific WildLife Foundation, Environment Canada, Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, and the Raincoast Conservation Society.

  • Major (2011) and Laskeek Bay Conservation Society (2011a) have tested call-playback methods that successfully attract prospecting Ancient Murrelets to abandoned colonies. These prospectors are thought to use vocal cues to investigate potential breeding sites. Investigation of additional cues will be important if these techniques are to succeed at convincing prospectors to re-colonize abandoned colonies (or abandoned areas on active colonies).

  • Environment Canada is conducting a project deploying geolocators on breeding adults at 4 colonies in Haida Gwaii (Susk Gwaii, Hippa, George, Reef) to document their migration routes and wintering areas. This information will help understand the impacts of threats faced at sea.

  • Continuation of a study reporting winter long-line bycatch in the waters off Japan and Korea (Pacific Seabird Group 2014) along with development of bycatch mitigation measures with International buy-in. Given recent data showing Ancient Murrelets from Canadian breeding colonies wintering off the coast of Japan further understanding of bycatch patterns in International waters is pertinent.

6.2 Broad Strategies

While sections 4.1 and 4.2 describe both anthropogenic threats and natural threats, the management actions recommended in this document will focus on anthropogenic threats.

The broad strategies to achieve the management objective for the Ancient Murrelet are as follows:

  1. Develop restoration plans for key colonies.
  2. Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet.
  3. Undertake research and monitoring.
  4. Increase public awareness.

Rationale for the broad strategies:

  1. Develop restoration plans for colonies in key regions.

    Development of restoration plans for specific groupings of colonies will ensure that threat management and monitoring is done consistently and collaboratively across the Canadian range of Ancient Murrelets and that resources are targeted appropriately. It is suggested that plans be developed for colonies that fall within existing administrative boundaries of participating agencies and attempt to align to relevant management activities currently underway.

  2. Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet.

    Introduced Mammalian Predators

    The eradication of introduced predators from both active and extirpated breeding colonies will prevent future extirpation and allow for re-colonization. Establishment of a rat-ready bait-station program in collaboration with the fishing lodges is warranted at Langara Island.There are many existing examples of predator control programs that should serve to inform current and future work.

    Tourism and Recreation

    Currently all of the Ancient Murrelet breeding colonies located in Haida Gwaii fall within either Gwaii Haanas or the provincial conservancies/Haida Heritage Sites outlined in the Daawuuxusda, Duu Guusd, and K’uuna Gwaay management plans. It will be important that the existing measures to restrict the impact of visitors to the colonies are implemented and demonstrated as effective.

    Oil Spills

    In the context of chronic oil spills it is important that existing oil spill deterrence programs be supported and appropriate legislative mechanisms be considered to reduce chronic oil discharge within both the breeding and non-breeding range of Ancient Murrelets in Canada.

    In the context of catastrophic oil spills it is important that all appropriate legislative mechanisms be considered in order to minimize tanker traffic in both the breeding and non-breeding range of Ancient Murrelets.

    Gillnet Fisheries Bycatch

    Because there is still a high degree of uncertainty with respect to the species and numbers of birds taken in net fisheries in BC, it will be important to develop and implement a mandatory program to reduce the impacts of bycatch on seabirds in all net fisheries in B.C. and potentially abroad. It will also be important to support and improve existing programs aimed at further quantifying and studying the impact of bycatch on seabirds, including Ancient Murrelet, and encourage creative measures of monitoring and mitigating, if warranted.

  3. Undertake research and monitoring

    Additional research is required to address knowledge gaps related to attracting prospecting breeders to colonies, the effects of oceanographic change on reproductive success, the spatial-temporal distribution of Ancient Murrelets during all stages of the annual cycle (terrestrial, pelagic, and inshore waters) and causes of reduced juvenile at-sea survival as indicated by Gaston and Descamps (2011).

    Monitoring active and restored colonies will help to determine whether populations are being maintained or increased (as per the management objective), to determine if colony restoration has been successful, and to detect and quickly eradicate any newly introduced predators. The development of corresponding baseline monitoring techniques and the implementation of regular monitoring programs will be required for both the breeding colonies and non-breeding areas of importance.

  4. Increase public awareness

    Increasing public awareness of actions that can reduce threats to seabirds will help further the successful management of Ancient Murrelets.

6.3 Conservation Measures

Table 3. Conservation Measures and Implementation Schedule
Broad Strategy Conservation Measure PriorityFootnotea.2 Threats or Concerns Addressed Timeline
Develop restoration plans for key colonies Develop restoration plans for the four suggested administrative areas (Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Daawuuxusda, Duu Guusd,and K’uuna Gwaay). High Introduced Mammalian Predators, Tourism and Recreation ongoing
Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet Prioritize and implement predator eradication projects at Ancient Murrelet colonies throughout the Canadian breeding range. The initial focus will be on high priority colonies, with an eventual shift to lower priority colonies. Past and present projects should serve as guidance to future work (Example: Night Birds Returning program - Gwaii Haanas). High Introduced Mammalian Predators ongoing
Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet Ensure that zoning and public land use restrictions currently in place for Ancient Murrelet colonies are actively monitored and enforced. Existing restrictions are outlined in the Gwaii Hanaas management plans and the Daawuuxusda, Duu Guusd, and K’uuna Gwaay management plans. High Introduced Mammalian Predators, Tourism and Recreation ongoing
Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet Collaborate with the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) and the Integrated Satellite Tracking of Polluters (ISTOP) to ensure that oiling deterrence measures and oil hotspot mapping are implemented in areas important to Ancient Murrelet, including Haida Gwaii. Medium Oil spills - Chronic ongoing
Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet Ensure that existing information related to the Ancient Murrelet range is considered in the environmental assessments of projects that will elevate the risk of catastrophic oil spills. Medium Oil Spills - Catastrophic ongoing
Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet Collaborate with appropriate jurisdictions to support and improve existing bycatch reduction measures. This may include: placing at-sea observers on boats, exploring opportunities to introduce electronic monitoring systems, and encouraging the investigation of innovative bycatch reduction techniques. Low Gillnet Fisheries Bycatch ongoing
Develop and support programs aimed at reducing threats to Ancient Murrelet Expand and support the CWS seabird bycatch program and encourage further quantification of seabird bycatch in all fisheries to better understand the impacts on Ancient Murrelet. Particular attention should be given to the fisheries around Haida Gwaii. Medium Gillnet Fisheries Bycatch ongoing
Undertake research and monitoring Establish baseline monitoring protocols to assess population size and status at each colony location, both active and historic, and implement those protocols at regular intervals to track changes in the species’ population and distribution. In the short term, particular attention should be paid to the large west coast colonies, some which have not been re-surveyed since the 1980s. High Knowledge Gaps ongoing
Undertake research and monitoring Investigate and implement cost-effective introduced predator monitoring techniques to track predator activity and ensure that predators are not re-introduced in restored colonies. Collaborate with Provincial partners on responsibility. High Knowledge Gaps, Introduced Mammalian Predators 2020
Undertake research and monitoring Conduct further research on attraction and retention of prospecting adults at vacant breeding colonies using social cues. Medium Knowledge Gaps ongoing
Undertake research and monitoring Expand collaboration, research, and monitoring to address information knowledge gaps regarding location and movement of Ancient Murrelets during the non-breeding season. Little is known about the non-breeding ecology of the species in both the pelagic and inshore waters of coastal British Columbia. Establishing spatial-temporal areas of importance for Ancient Murrelet will help understand the impacts of threats faced at sea. Medium Knowledge Gaps, Gillnet Fisheries Bycatch, Oil spills 2020
Undertake research and monitoring Conduct further research to assess and monitor the effects of oceanographic changes on colonies other than those currently covered by the Laskeek Bay Conservation Society. Medium Knowledge Gaps 2022 and beyond
Increase public awareness Develop and distribute pro-active and targeted educational material on the risks of mammalian predator introduction during supply runs to fishing lodges and research camps, and the risks associated with nocturnal lights near seabird colonies (both land based structures and anchored vessels). Medium Introduced Mammalian Predators and Tourism ongoing

7. Measuring Progress

The performance indicators presented below provide a way to define and measure progress toward achieving the management objective. Every five years, success of management plan implementation will be measured against the following performance indicators:

  1. The breeding population of Ancient Murrelet has been maintained or increased within the known Canadian range.
  2. Mortality of Ancient Murrelet has been reduced through threat reduction.

More specifically:

  • Restoration plans have been developed for the four key areas
  • Key programs aimed at threat reduction have been supported, or developed and implemented
  • Appropriate monitoring programs have been developed and implemented
  • Ongoing research has been supported and incorporated into management activities
  • Educational materials have been developed and distributed

8. References

  • B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2013. Species Summary: Synthliboramphus antiquus. B.C. Ministry of Environment. [accessed Mar 18, 2013].

  • B.C. Conservation Framework. 2013. Conservation Framework Summary: Synthliboramphus antiquus. B.C. Ministry of Environment. B.C. Ministry of Environment. [accessed Mar 18, 2013].

  • Beebe, F.L. 1960. The marine peregrines of the northwest Pacific coast. Condor 62:145-189.

  • Bertram, D.F. 1995. The roles of introduced rats and commercial fishing in the decline of Ancient Murrelets on Langara Island, British Columbia. Conservation Biology 9:865-872.

  • Bertram, D.F., and D.W. Nagorsen. 1995. Introduced rats, Rattus spp., on the Queen Charlotte Islands: implications for seabird conservation. The Canadian Field-Naturalist 109:6-10.

  • Burger, A.E. 2002. Beached Bird Surveys in British Columbia, 1986-1997. Report to the Nestucca Trust Fund. Victoria, B.C.

  • Campbell, R.W., N.K. Dawe, I. McTaggart-Cowan, J.M. Cooper, G.W. Kaiser, and M.C.E. McNall. 1990. The birds of British Columbia - volume 2. Royal British Columbia Museum and the Canadian Wildlife Service, Victoria. 636 pp.

  • Canadian Coast Guard. 2011. Marine Communications and Traffic Services - Tanker Exclusion Zone. [accessed December 2011].

  • Carl, G. C., C. J. Guiget and G. A. Hardy. 1951. Biology of the Scott Island group, British Columbia. Victoria: British Columbia Provincial Museum.

  • Carter, H. R., and S. G. Sealy, 2008. Ancient Murrelets breeding on Triangle Island in 1949. Wildlife Afield 5: 201-211.

  • COSEWIC. 2004. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 31 pp.

  • Council of the Haida Nation and B.C. Parks. 2011a. Daawuuxusda Management Plan.

  • Council of the Haida Nation and B.C. Parks. 2011b. Duu Guusd Management Plan.

  • Council of the Haida Nation and B.C. Parks. 2011c. K’uuna Gwaay Management Plan.

  • Drever, M.C., and A.S. Harestad. 1998. Diets of Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus, on Langara Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia: implications for conservation of breeding seabirds. Canadian Field-Naturalist 112:676-683.

  • Esler, D., K.A. Trust, B.E. Ballachey, S.A. Iverson, T.L. Lewis, D.J. Rizzolo, D.M. Mulcahy, K.A. Miles, B.R. Woodin, J.J. Stegeman, J.D. Henderson, and B.W. Wilson, 2010. Cytochrome P4501A Biomarker Indication of Oil Exposure in Harlequin Ducks up to 20 Years after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 29:1138-1145.

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2012. Canada’s progress report on the implementation of key actions taken pursuant to the National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (March 2007). [accessed October 2014].

  • Gaston, A.J. 1990. Population parameters of the Ancient Murrelet. Condor 92:998-1011.

  • Gaston, A.J. 1991. Laskeek Bay Conservation Society: report on scientific activities in 1990. Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, Queen Charlotte City, B.C.

  • Gaston, A.J. 1992. The Ancient Murrelet: a natural history in the Queen Charlotte Islands. T&A D Poyser, London.

  • Gaston, A.J. 1994a. Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) in A. Poole and F. Gill, editors. The Birds of North America, No. 132. Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia and The American Ornithologists' Union.

  • Gaston, A.J. 1994b. Status of the Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus, in Canada and the Effects of Introduced Predators. The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 108:212-222.

  • Gaston, A.J. 1997. Mass and date at departure affect the survival of Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus chicks after leaving the colony. Ibis 139:673-678.

  • Gaston, A.J., and C. Adkins. 1998. Inter-colony movements of Ancient Murrelets Synthliboramphus antiquus at two adjacent islands. Laskeek Bay Research 8:13-20.

  • Gaston, A.J., and S. Descamps. 2011. Population change in a marine bird colony is driven by changes in recruitment. Avian Conservation and Ecology 6:5.

  • Gaston, A.J., and I.L. Jones. 1998. The Auks. Oxford University Press, New York.

  • Gaston, A.J., and A. Lawrence, editors. 1993. Laskeek Bay Conservation Society Report on Scientific Activities #3. Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, Queen Charlotte City, B.C.

  • Gaston, A.J., and M. Masselink. 1997. The Impact of raccoons Procyon lotor on breeding seabirds in Englefield Bay, Haida Gwaii, Canada. Bird Conservation International 7:35-51.

  • Gaston, A.J., and J.L. Smith. 2001. Changes in oceanographic conditions off northern British Columbia (1983-1999) and the reproduction of a marine bird, the Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus). Can. J. Zool. 79:1735-1742.

  • Gaston, A.J., D.F. Bertram, A.W. Boyne, J.W. Chardine, G. Davoren, A.W. Diamond, A. Hedd, W.A. Montevecchi, J.M. Hipfner, M.J.F. Lemon, M.L. Mallory, J.F. Rail, and G.J. Robertson. 2009. Changes in Canadian seabird populations and ecology since 1970 in relation to changes in oceanography and food webs. Environ. Review 17:267-286.

  • Harfenist, A. 1994. Effects of introduced rats of nesting seabirds of Haida Gwaii. Technical Report Series No. 218, Canadian Wildlife Service.

  • Harfenist, A. 2004. Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiques). Pages 108-121 in K.Paige, editor. Standards for Managing Identified Wildlife. Biodiversity Branch, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Victoria, B.C.

  • Harfenist, A., and G.W. Kaiser. 1997. Effects of introduced predators on the nesting seabirds on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Pages 132-136 in K. Vermeer and K.H. Morgan, editors. The ecology, status and conservation of marine and shoreline birds of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa.

  • Harfenist, A., N.A. Sloan, and P.M. Bartier. 2002. Living marine legacy of Gwaii Haanas. III: Marine bird baseline to 2000 and marine bird-related management issues throughout the Haida Gwaii region. Technical Reports in Ecosystem Science 036, Parks Canada.

  • Hartman, L.H., A.J. Gaston, and D.S. Eastman. 1997. Raccoon predation on ancient murrelets on East Limestone Island, British Columbia. Journal of Wildlife Management 61:377-388.

  • Hartman, L. H. and D. S. Eastman. 1997. Distribution of introduced raccoons Procyon lotor on the Queen Charlotte Islands: implications for burrow-nesting seabirds. Biological Conservation 88: 1-13.

  • Hipfner, J. M. 2008. Matches and mismatches: ocean climate, prey phenology and breeding success in a zooplanktivorous seabird. Marine Ecology Progress Series 368: 295-304.

  • Iverson, S.A., and D. Esler. 2010. Harlequin Duck population injury and recovery dynamics following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Ecological Applications, 20(7):1993-2006.

  • Kaiser, G.W., R.H. Taylor, P.D. Buck, J.E. Elliott, G.R. Howard, and M.C. Drever. 1997. The Langara Island Seabird Habitat Recovery Project: eradication of Norway rats - 1993-1997. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region. B.C. Tech Report Series No. 304.

  • Kenyon, J.K., K.H. Morgan, M.D. Bentley, L.A. McFarlane Tranquilla, and K.E. Moore. 2009. Atlas of pelagic seabirds off the west coast of Canada and adjacent areas. Technical Report Series No. 499. Canadian Wildlife Service. Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

  • Kitano, K. 1981. Recent development of the studies on the North Pacific Polar frontal zone. Pages 1 - 10 in S. Mishima, editor. Pelagic Animals and Environments around the Subarctic Boundary in North Pacific. Research Institute N. Pacific Fisheries, Hokkaido University.

  • Laskeek Bay Conservation Society. 2011a. The History of Raccoons on East Limestone Island 1990-2010. Prepared by Ainsley Brown. Queen Charlotte City, B.C.

  • Laskeek Bay Conservation Society. 2011b. East Limestone Island Field Station – Field Season Report 2011. Prepared by Jake Pattison. Queen Charlotte City, B.C.

  • Lemon, M.J.F. 1993. Survey of Ancient Murrelets at Dodge Point, Lyell Island. Pages 38-51 in A.J. Gaston, editor. Laskeek Bay Research 3. Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, Queen Charlotte City, B.C.

  • Lemon, M.J.F., and A.J. Gaston. 1999. Trends in Ancient Murrelet populations since 1980. Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service. Bird Trends No. 7:22-25.

  • Levy, E.M., 1980. Oil pollution and seabirds – Atlantic Canada 1976–77 and some implications for northern environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin 11:51–56.

  • Major, H. 2011. Prospecting decisions and habitat selection by a nocturnal burrow-nesting seabird. Doctoral Thesis: Department of Biological Sciences. Simon Fraser University.

  • Major, H. L., Lemon, M. J. F. and J. M. Hipfner 2012. Habitat as a potential factor limiting the recovery of a population of nocturnal seabirds. The Journal of Wildlife Management 76: 793-799.

  • Morandin, L. A., and P. D. O'Hara 2014. Fish oil disrupts seabird feather microstructure and waterproofing. Science of the Total Environment 496: 257-263.

  • National Energy Board. 2011. Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC – Firm Service Application(RH-2-2011). [accessed December 2011].

  • National Energy Board and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 2011. Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review Panel. [accessed December 2011]

  • NatureServe. 2013. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. [accessed: March 18, 2013].

  • O’Hara, P.D., and L.A. Morandin. 2010. Effects of sheens associated with offshore oil and gas development on the feather microstructure of pelagic seabirds. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60:672-678.

  • O’Hara, P.D., and K.H. Morgan. 2006. Do low rates of oiled carcass recovery in beached bird surveys indicate low rates of ship-source oil spills? Marine Ornithology 34: 133-140.

  • Pacific Seabird Group. 2014. PSG 2014 Juneau Abstract. [accessed 9 October 2014]

  • Pearce, R. L., J.J. Wood, Y. Artukhin, T.P. Birt, M. Damus, and V.L. Friesen. 2002. Mitochondrial DNA suggests high gene flow in Ancient Murrelets. Condor 104:84-91.

  • Peterson, C.H., S.D. Rice, J.W. Short, D. Esler, J.L. Bodkin, B.E. Ballachey, and D.B. Irons. 2003. Long-Term Ecosystem Response to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Science, 302:2082-2086.

  • Regehr, H.M., M.S. Rodway, M.J.F. Lemon, and J.M. Hipfner. 2007. Recovery of the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus colony on Langara Island, British Columbia, following eradication of invasive rats. Marine Ornithology 35:137-144.

  • Ridgely, R.S., T.F. Allnutt, T. Brooks, D.K. McNicol, D.W. Mehlman, B.E. Young, and J.R. Zook. 2003. Digital Distribution Maps of the Birds of the Western Hemisphere, version 1.0. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

  • Rodway, M. S., M. J. F. Lemon and K. R. Summers. (1990). British Columbia seabird colony inventory: Scott Islands. Vancouver:Canadian Wildlife Service. (Technical Report Series No. 86).

  • Rodway, M.S. 1991. Status and conservation of breeding seabirds in British Columbia.
    Pages 43-102 in J.P. Croxall, editor. Seabird status and conservation: a supplement. International Council for Bird Protection Technical Publication, Cambridge, U.K.

  • Rodway, M.S., and M.J.F. Lemon. 1991. British Columbia seabird colony inventory: report #7:northern mainland coast. Tech Report. Series No. 121, Canadian Wildlife Service, Delta, B.C.

  • Rodway, M.S., and M.J.F. Lemon. 2011. Use of permanent plots to monitor trends in burrow-nesting seabird populations in British Columbia. Marine Ornithology 39:243-253

  • Rodway, M.S., M.J.F. Lemon, and G.W. Kaiser. 1988. British Columbia seabird colony inventory: report #1 - east coast Moresby Island. B.C. Tech Report No. 50, Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region.

  • Rodway, M.S., M.J.F. Lemon, J-P.L. Savard, and R. McKelvey. 1989. Nestucca oil spill: impact assessment on avian populations and habitat. Tech Report No. 68, Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region.

  • Rodway, M.S., M.J.F. Lemon, and G.W. Kaiser. 1990. British Columbia seabird colony inventory: report #2 - west coast Moresby Island. B.C. Tech Report No. 65, Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region.

  • Rodway, M.S., M.J.F. Lemon, and G.W. Kaiser. 1994. British Columbia seabird colony inventory:report #6 - major colonies on the West coast of Graham Island. B.C. Tech Report No. 95, Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region.

  • Sealy, S.G. 1975. Feeding ecology of the Ancient and Marbled Murrelet near Langara Island, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 53:418-433.

  • Shoji A., K.H. Elliott, S. Aris-Brosou, D. Crump, and A.J. Gaston. 2011. Incubation patterns in a central-place forager affect lifetime reproductive success: scaling of patterns from a foraging bout to a lifetime. PLoS ONE 6(3): e17760. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.00177

  • Shoji, A., M. Yoneda, and A. J. Gaston. 2012. Ocean climate variability links incubation behaviour and fitness in Ancient Murrelets. Canadian Journal of Zoology 90: 362-368.

  • Smith, J.L., and K.H. Morgan. 2005. An assessment of seabird bycatch in longline and net fisheries in British Columbia. Tech Report Series No 401, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Delta, B.C.

  • Summers, K.R. 1974. Seabirds breeding along the east coast of Moresby Island, Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. Syesis 7:1-12.

  • Taylor, R.H., G.W. Kaiser, and M.C. Drever. 2000. Eradication of Norway rats to recovery of seabird habitat on Langara Island, British Columbia. Restoration Ecology 8:151-160.

  • USFWS. 2003. Beringian Seabird Colony Catalog computer database and Colony Status Record archives. In U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, Alaska.

  • Vermeer, K., S.G. Sealy, M. Lemon, and M. Rodway. 1984. Predation and potential environmental perturbances on Ancient Murrelets nesting in British Columbia. Pages 757-770 in J. P. Croxall, P. G. H. Evans, and R. W. Schreiber, editors. Status and conservation of the world's seabirds. Technical publication no. 2. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, England.

  • Vermeer, K., J.D. Fulton, and S.G. Sealy. 1985. Differential use of zooplankton prey by Ancient Murrelets and Cassin's Auklets in the Queen Charlotte Islands. Journal of Plankton Research 7:443-459.

  • Vermeer, K., A. Harfenist, G.W. Kaiser, and D.N. Nettleship. 1997. The reproductive biology, status, and conservation of seabirds breeding on the Queen Charlotte Islands: a summary. Pages 58 - 77 in K. Vermeer, and K.H. Morgan, editors. The ecology, status and conservation of marine and shoreline birds of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Canadian Wildlife Service Occasional Paper 93.

  • Wiens, J.A. 2007. Applying ecological risk assessment to environmental accidents: Harlequin Ducks and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. BioScience, 57(9):769-777.

  • Wiese, F.K. and G.J. Robertson. 2004. Assessing seabird mortality from chronic oil discharges at sea. Journal of Wildlife Management 68:627–638.

9. Personal Communications

  • Bertram, Douglas, Research Scientist, Environment Canada

  • Chutter, Myke, Bird Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

  • Cober, Alvin, Ecosystems Biologist, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

  • Davidson, Peter, B.C. Program Manager, Bird Studies Canada

  • Gaston, Tony, Research Scientist - Marine Birds, Environment Canada

  • Hipfner, Mark, Research Scientist - Marine Birds, Environment Canada

  • Lemon, Moira, Research Technician, Environment Canada

  • Major, Heather, Seabird Specialist, PhD.

  • Morgan, Ken, Pelagic Seabird Biologist, Environment Canada

  • Wilson, Laurie, Seabird Biologist, Environment Canada

Appendix A: Effects on the Environment and Other Species

A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all SARA recovery planning documents, in accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. The purpose of a SEA is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals to support environmentally sound decision-making and to evaluate whether the outcomes of a recovery planning document could affect any component of the environment or achievement of any of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy's (FSDS) goals and targets.

Recovery planning is intended to benefit species at risk and biodiversity in general. However, it is recognized that implementation of management plans may inadvertently lead to environmental effects beyond the intended benefits. The planning process based on national guidelines directly incorporates consideration of all environmental effects, with a particular focus on possible impacts upon non-target species or habitats. The results of the SEA are incorporated directly into the management plan itself, but are also summarized below in this statement.

It is unlikely that the eradication of introduced mammalian predators from Ancient Murrelet colonies will have negative effects on any other species. Restoration and increased protection of Ancient Murrelet habitat will likely have beneficial effects on other species that inhabit these areas, such as; Cassin’s Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Leach’s Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), Fork-tailed Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata), Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani), Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) and a variety of Gull species. An increase in Ancient Murrelet populations will likely also benefit Peregrine Falcon pealei subsp. (Falco peregrinus pealei), as it acts as an important prey source for this species (Beebe 1960). Work towards limiting oil spill threats would also benefit a wide range of marine life, including seabirds, marine mammals, fish and a variety of invertebrates.

The extent to which Ancient Murrelets affect the populations of their aquatic prey species is not known.

Appendix B

Appendix B: Ancient Murrelet Breeding Colony Numbers on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands)Tablenotea.3
Colony 1977 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1992 1993 1995
(Kunghit Island) Annis point - - - - - - - 8000 - - - 3550 -
(Kunghit island) Jenkins point - - - - - - - 800 - - - 11 -
(Lyell Island) Dodge point - - - 10700 - - - - - - 8300 - -
Agglomerate Island - - - - - - 2200 - - - - - -
Alder Island - - - - - - 14400 - - - - - -
Arichika Island - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
Bischof Islands - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
Bolkus Islands - - - - - - 9900 - - - - - -
Boulder Island - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
Cape Kuper - - - - - - - 10 - - - - -
Carswell Island - - - - - - - 1700 - - - - -
Cox Island - - 0 - - - - - - - - - -
East Copper Island - - - - - - 4400 - - - - - -
Frederick Island - 68000 - - - - - - - - - - -
George Island - - - - - - 11600 - - - - - -
Helgesen Island - - - - - - - 7700 - - - 1150 -
High Island - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
Hippa Island - - - - 40000 - - - - - - - -
Hotspring Island - - - - - 6 - - - - - - -
House Island - - - - - 2600 - - - - - - -
Howay Island - - - - - - 300 - - - - - -
Instructor Island - - - - - - - 760 - - - - -
Jeffrey Island - - - - - - 1000 - - - - - -
Langara Island - - 25500 - - - - - 24000 - - 18200 -
Lihou Island - - - - - - - 6500 - - - 12100 -
Limestone Islands East - - - - 1500 - - - - 1600 - - 1300
Limestone Islands West - - - - 100 - - - - - - - -
Lucy Island - - 0 - - - - - - - - - -
Luxmoore Island - - - - - - - 1000 - - - - -
Marble Island 1000 - - - - - - - - - - - -
Murchison Island - - - - - 20 - - - - - - -
Ramsay Island - - - - - 18200 - - - - - - -
Rankine Island East - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
Rankine Island West - - - - - 26000 - - - - - - -
Reef Island - - - - - - 5000 - - - - - 6600
Rock Islet - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
Rogers Island - - - - - - - 1700 - - - - -
Saunders IslandTablenoteb.1 - - - - - - - 50 - - - - -
Sea pigeon Island - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
S'Gaang Gwaii - - - - - - 200 - - - - - -
Skedans Islands - - - - 0 - - - - - - - -
Skincuttle Island - - - - - - 2200 - - - - - -
Tar Islands - - - - - - 0 - - - - - -
Willie Island - - - - - - - 10 - - - - -
Grand Total - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appendix B: Ancient Murrelet Breeding Colony Numbers on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands)Tablenotea.3. [Continuous]
Colony 1996 1998 1999 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2011 Latest Count
(Nest Pairs)
References
(Kunghit Island) Annis point - - - - - 0 - - - 0 1,8,14
(Kunghit island) Jenkins point - - - - - 0 - - - 0 1,8,14
(Lyell Island) Dodge point - - - - - - - - - 8300 1,9,12
Agglomerate Island - - - - - - - - - 2200 1
Alder Island - - - - - - - - - 14400 1
Arichika Island - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Bischof Islands - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Bolkus Islands - - - - - - - - - 9900 1
Boulder Island - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Cape Kuper - - - - - - - - - 10 2
Carswell Island - - - - - - - - - 1700 2
Cox Island - - - - - - - - - 0 4
East Copper Island - - - - 6050 - - - - 6050 1,11
Frederick Island - 85900 - - - - 31300 - - 31300 3,4,HM
George Island 17400 - - - - - - - - 17400 1,10,12
Helgesen Island - - - - - 1150 - - 500 500 2,7,12,AG
High Island - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Hippa Island - - - - - - - - - 40000 4
Hotspring Island - - - - - - - - - 6 1
House Island - - - - - - - - - 2600 1
Howay Island - - - - - - - - - 300 1
Instructor Island - - - - - - - - - 760 2
Jeffrey Island - - - - - - - - - 1000 1
Langara Island - - 13000 - - 24000 - - - 24000 1,4,8,13,15
Lihou Island - - - - - - - - 2150 2150 2,7,12,AG
Limestone Islands East - - - - - - - 500 - 500 1,42
Limestone Islands West - - - - - - - - - 100 1
Lucy Island - - - - - - - - - 0 4
Luxmoore Island - - - - - - - - - 1000 2
Marble Island - - - - - - - - - 1000 4,5
Murchison Island - - - - - - - - - 20 1
Ramsay Island - - - - - - - - - 18200 1
Rankine Island East - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Rankine Island West - - - 26000 - - - - - 26000 1,ML
Reef Island - - - - - - - - - 6600 6,12
Rock Islet - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Rogers Island - - - - - - - - - 1700 2
Saunders IslandTablenoteb.1 - - - - - - - - 0 0 2,AG
Sea pigeon Island - - - - - - - - - 0 1
S'Gaang Gwaii - - - - - - - - - 200 2
Skedans Islands - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Skincuttle Island - - - - - - - - - 2200 1
Tar Islands - - - - - - - - - 0 1
Willie Island - - - - - - - - - 10 2
Grand Total - - - - - - - - - 220106 -

References for Appendix B:

  1. Rodway, M.S., M.J.F. Lemon, and G.W. Kaiser. 1988. British Columbia Seabird Colony Inventory: Report #1 - East Coast Moresby Island. Technical Report Series No. 50. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

  2. Rodway, M.S., M.J.F. Lemon, and G.W. Kaiser. 1990. British Columbia Seabird Colony Inventory: Report #2 - West Coast Moresby Island. Technical Report Series No. 65. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

  3. Rodway, M.S. 1988. British Columbia Seabird Colony Inventory: Report #3 - Census of Glaucous-winged Gulls, Pelagic Cormorants, Black Oystercatchers, and Pigeon Guillemots in the Queen Charlotte Islands, 1986. Technical Report Series No. 43. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

  4. Rodway, M.S., M.J.F. Lemon, and G.W. Kaiser. 1994. British Columbia Seabird Colony Inventory: Report #6 - Major colonies on the west coast of Graham Island. Technical Report Series No. 95. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

  5. Campbell, R.W., and H.M. Garrioch. 1979. Seabird colonies of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Victoria, B.C.: British Columbia Provincial Museum (Special Publication). [Map].

  6. Gaston, A.J., and M.J.F. Lemon. 1996. A tale of two islands: comparison of population dynamics of Ancient Murrelets at two colonies in Haida Gwaii, Canada. Pp. 29-38 in Gaston A. J. (ed.) 1996. Laskeek Bay Research 6. Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, Queen Charlotte City, B.C.

  7. Gaston, A.J., and M. Masselink. 1997. The impact of Raccoons Procyon lotor on breeding seabirds at Englefield Bay, Haida Gwaii, Canada. Bird Conservation International 7:35-51.

  8. Harfenist, A. 1994. Effects of introduced rats on nesting seabirds of Haida Gwaii. Technical Report Series No. 218. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, Delta, B.C.

  9. Lemon, M.J.F. 1993. Survey of Ancient Murrelet colony at Dodge Point on Lyell Island in 1992. Pp. 38-51 in A.J. Gaston and A. Lawrence (eds.). Laskeek Bay Conservation Society Report on Scientific Activities # 3, 1992.

  10. Lemon, M.J.F. 1997. Seabird colony monitoring on George Island, 1996. Pp. 27-48 in A.J. Gaston (ed) Laskeek Bay Research 7.

  11. Lemon, M.J.F. 2003. Surveys of permanent seabird monitoring plots on George Island and East Copper Island, Gwaii Haanas National Park, June 2003. Unpublished Canadian Wildlife Service report to Parks Canada, Dec. 2003.

  12. Lemon, M.J.F., and A.J. Gaston, 1999. Trends in Ancient Murrelet populations since 1980. in Bird Trends, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada. No. 7, Spring 1999 : 22-25.

  13. Regehr, H.M., M.S. Rodway, M.J.F. Lemon, and J.M. Hipfner. 2006. Status of the Ancient Murrelet colony on Langara Island in 2004, nine years after eradication of introduced rats. Technical Report Series No. 445. Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

  14. Hipfner, M. 2004. Canadian Wildlife Service unpublished dat

  15. Drever, M.C. 2002. Status of Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus) and upland birds following eradication of Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Langara Island, Haida Gwaii. Technical Report Series No. 385. Canadian Wildllife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

Personal Communications

  • AG. Personal Communications - Anthony Gaston
  • ML. Personal Communications - Moira Lemon
  • HM. Personal Communications - Heather Major

Page details

Date modified: