Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 05-01-9426
Environment Canada: 4053

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Environment Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On February 22, 2005, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Environment Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 4(1) of the Migratory Birds Regulations.

Accessed Nov

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

One of the main aims of this research program is to investigate the inter-relationship between natural and human-induced variation in the marine environment and seabird breeding productivity and survival. The idea that certain aspects of the reproductive performance of seabirds can be used as indicators of food availability, and thus of the state of the marine environment, is becoming widespread . However, several studies have shown that the relationship between food supply, body condition and breeding performance is not as straightforward as originally predicted. As an example, mass loss during the breeding cycle, which has typically been equated with ‘physiological stress’ related to reduced food availability, may actually be beneficial and enhance breeding success in the Least Auklet. This clearly demonstrates that we need a better understanding of how food supply interacts with body condition, at a more relevant physiological level, to influence breeding performance. In addition, several recent studies have shown that there are large and significant differences between individuals in annual breeding success, their contribution to the next generation, and their lifetime reproductive output. This would be predicted to have important consequences for the understanding of seabird population dynamics, however, virtually nothing is known about the mechanisms underlying this individual variation in reproductive performance. In addition, seabirds can reflect climate-induced changes in marine ecosystems. Sea surface temperatures off the coast of British Columbia reached record highs in the mid-to-late 1990’s, but there was a marked regime shift that cooled ocean temperatures over the past few years. Our intent is to examine the effects of climate change on seabird populations in different oceanographic domains in British Columbia. Collection of long-term data is necessary for this.

Final Decision

A decision was taken on March 9, 2005 and was that the authority may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the screening report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authority is of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Date modified:

2012-12-05