BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Scott Islands Region… The Scott Islands are the most important breeding colonies for seabirds throughout British Columbia, supporting over two million breeding birds. The Scott Islands region is recognized as an Important Bird Area of global significance, a status afforded by the Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada, the Canadian co-partners of BirdLife International. The diversity of marine wildlife in the Scott Islands region includes: Tufted Puffin Twelve different bird species that occur on these islands in nationally significant numbers 55% of the world’s population of Cassin’s auklets 7% of the world’s population of rhinoceros auklets 2% of the world’s population of tufted puffin Several breeding pairs of peregrine falcons, a Species of Special Concern One of the world’s largest and most productive Stellar sea lion rookeries, a species designated of Special Concern by COSEWIC in Nov. 2003 The marine waters surrounding the Scott Islands provide essential foraging habitat for a variety of seabirds, some of which travel the oceans more than 100 kilometers from the islands to forage for the needed crustaceans and fish to feed themselves and their chicks. Marine areas also used by migrating and wintering seabirds like scoters and shearwaters. Human Uses of the Area… Coastal First Nations people have accessed the Scott Islands and surrounding region for generations, using the area for subsistence fishing, hunting and cultural purposes The region has been a mainstay for commercial groundfish and halibut fisheries. A number of important marine conservation and protection measures have recently been taken by fisheries communities in the area The federal and provincial governments are considering lifting a long-standing moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration on the B.C. coast, and a variety of petroleum companies continue to renew their leases in the region Log booms, transport ships, cruise ships and oil tankers move through the area. Future spills from these ships could have devastating effects on the region’s marine wildlife A seabird research station was established on one of the Scott Islands in the mid-1970s, which is now operated by Environment Canada, BC Parks, and Simon Fraser University Stellar sea lion DougForsell/USFWS What is a Marine Wildlife Area… A Marine Wildlife Area is type of marine protected area under the authority of Environment Canada focused on the protection of habitat for wildlife, and in particular migratory birds. The Scott Islands will be Canada’s first-ever Marine Wildlife Area. Currently the five islands in the region are protected within a provincial park and ecological reserve. However, the ocean area surrounding the Scott Islands currently remains unprotected. The creation of a Marine Wildlife Area will be an important tool in ensuring the protection of these marine waters for both the breeding and non-breeding seabirds that rely on this foraging habitat for their survival. What is the process to establish the MWA… In October, 20003 Environment Canada launched a formal process to establish a Marine Wildlife Area in the Scott Islands region. They have been working closely with other federal agencies and the B.C. government to create the MWA, and have recently been working similarly with local First Nations communities towards the same aim. A two-step strategy being advanced by Environment Canada to establish the MWA – a scientific assessment of the marine values and a comprehensive consultation process with other agencies, First Nations, local communities, industries and governments, key stakeholders, and the public. Important decisions in process will include deciding on the boundaries of the Scott Islands MWA, and the types of human activities that will be permitted and restricted within the MWA. FOR MORE INFORMATION Scott Islands Important Bird Area Site Summary Scott Islands IBA Conservation Plan back to main page