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The purpose of this conservation plan is to:
- describe the wildlife values of the IBAs in the waters around southern Vancouver Island and associated Gulf Islands,
- discuss the issues that may affect these values,
- introduce and highlight the initiatives that will be required to address some of these issues and,
- to focus and direct future initiatives that could further address identified concerns.
What
is an Important Bird Area?
An Important Bird Area (IBA) is a site providing essential habitat for one or more species of breeding or non-breeding birds. These sites may contain threatened species, endemic species, species representative of a biome, or highly exceptional concentrations of birds.
The
goals of the Canadian IBA program
are to:
- identify a network of sites that conserve the natural diversity of Canadian bird species; and
- ensure the conservation of sites through partnerships of local stakeholders who develop and implement appropriate on-the-ground conservation plans
The IBAs of Southern Vancouver
Island
The marine areas along the east coast of southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands represent one of the most fertile areas for seabirds in BC. The marine coastline in this area provides a wide variety of habitats that attract birds year round. Five Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been designated in the marine waters that include Nanaimo, the Gulf Islands, the Saanich Peninsula, and the small islands immediately off the shores of Victoria. They include two seabird colonies (Chain and Great Chain Islets, and Snake Island) and three marine areas (Porlier Pass, Active Pass and Sidney Channel). This area is also one of the fastest growing areas in Canada, and is experiencing a growth in tourism related activities.
There are a number of conservation concerns that may affect these IBAs. They include eagle predation and disturbance, human disturbance, water pollution, and commercial fishing. Human disturbance is common to all IBAs and is of concern because it can result in physiological stress, egg and nestling mortality, premature fledging, and colony abandonment. While this is a common concern in all five IBAs, there is no formal mechanism to address this issue.
Current Conservation Activities
Some of the IBAs in this area are ecological reserves (Chain Islets) while others are parts or provincial parks (Sidney Channel); others are destined to become national parks in the near future (Active Pass). Despite these protective measures, birds in this area continue to come under pressure from the recreational public.
Conservation Goals and Objectives
This conservation plan provides an overview of the birds present within
these five IBAs, the issues that may affect these birds and the habitats
that they use. It also introduces and highlights ways in which disturbance
could be addressed. The desired conservation goals and objectives for
southern Vancouver Island are relevant to many other areas in BC.
At present, two broad categories of conservation activities are being
considered: broad scale promotion of the area as places of significance
for seabirds, and ways in which to mitigate disturbance at these sites.
Broad scale promotion of wildlife values/resources on southern Vancouver
Island
Certain branches of both provincial and local governments, as well as
local citizens, are in many ways unaware of the significance of the wildlife
resources that are present in their areas of jurisdiction and backyards.
Without this recognition, there is a tendency for these sites to be visited,
treated, and managed without due care and attention. It is hoped that making
the importance of these areas known to the public will help protect them in
the long-term. The promotion of these sites as extremely valuable areas can
be done by through the following initiatives: interpretive programs, static
displays, and the mapping of sensitive areas.
Mitigating disturbance
Disturbance at these sites will likely increase as both the population
of the region grows, and as the popularity of wildlife viewing increases.
It is therefore important that the public be made aware of how disturbance
affects wildlife, and of how to share the waters with wildlife without
causing undue disturbance. There are ongoing initiatives that address
wildlife viewing, particularly marine mammals, but there are no specific
programs geared towards seabirds. BC Parks in Victoria has produced a
general set of guidelines that are intended specifically for the
wildlife-viewing public. It is important, however, to develop a system and
a strategy to develop and disseminate information pertaining specifically
to seabirds. It will be important to develop a multi-faceted approach that
targets a wide range of users that also includes these users in program
development. There are a number of different ways to address the issue of
disturbance. These include: an active outreach program, the development of
appropriate material, development of signage at selected sites, and the
development of viewing guidelines for seabirds.
INTRODUCTION
The marine areas along the east coast of
southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands represent one of the most
fertile areas for seabirds1 in BC. The marine coastline in this area
provides a wide variety of habitats that attract birds year round. In this
area, extraordinary numbers of loons, gulls and cormorants congregate during
the winter season to feed in rich up-welling areas such as Active Pass and
Porlier Pass. Small rocky islands in proximity to rich feeding areas provide
suitable nesting sites for gulls, guillemots, cormorants and oystercatchers.
These areas have recently received international recognition. Five Important
Bird Areas (IBAs) have been designated in the marine waters that include
Nanaimo, the Gulf Islands, the Saanich Peninsula, and the small islands
immediately off of the shores of Victoria.
The east coast of Vancouver Island is one of the fastest growing
areas in Canada. The area is presently experiencing an annual growth rate
of 7% (MABRF 1999). Human population growth in some areas has increased
upwards of 40% in the last 10 years.
There have been downturns in the forestry and fishing industries
throughout the region. This is being offset to a certain degree with a rise
in tourism and other service industries. There is a feeling that tourism,
secondary manufacturing, and the service sector offer hope for future
economic development. A number of regions are developing regional trails
systems to increase ecotourism and believe they will have positive economic
impacts (CFIBC 1999).
This document examines the marine IBAs that are located in the
waters off the east coast of southern Vancouver Island, including the Gulf
Islands. For each IBA a brief site description is presented, as is the
reason for its initial designation. Potential threats to the species present
at these sites are discussed, as are some of the options that are available
for mitigating these threats or concerns. The sites that are discussed here
have been evaluated using internationally agreed upon criteria. They have
been compiled or nominated by either Moira Lemon or Rob Butler of the
Canadian Wildlife Service.
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