Species at Risk
Thirty-two species living in Canada's North Pacific waters are listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern.1 Some species, such as the endangered basking shark, have been fished or hunted to near extinction. Others, including the three types of killer whale in the region, face increasing pressure from man-made pollution and reduced prey. All three populations of killer whale on Canada's North Pacific Coast are classified as Threatened.
Several of these species are recognized under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), but many are not. Once a species is listed under the Species at Risk Act, its critical habitats are legally required to be protected. It is also illegal to kill, capture, or harm a listed species in any way.
Protecting one at-risk-species at a time can be very slow, and many issues have obstructed proper implementation of the Species at Risk Act. An approach that looks at a full range of species, management decisions, and conservation initiatives can be more effective and efficient. Even more reason to develop a comprehensive strategy for Canada's bologically-rich North Pacific waters.
Other marine Species at Risk in the region include:
- Black-footed Albatross - Special concern
- Bluntnose Sixgill Shark - Special concern
- Columbia Sculpin - Special concern
- Great Blue Heron – Special concern
- Grey Whale - Special concern
- Harbour Porpoise - Special concern
- Longspine Thornyhead - Special concern
- Rougheye Rockfish - Special concern
- Soupfin Shark - Special concern
- Sea Otter - Special concern
- Steller Sea Lion - Special concern
- Cultus Pygmy Sculpin - Threatened
- Fin Whale - Threatened
- Humpback Whale - Threatened
- Marbled Murrelet - Threatened
- Northern Abalone - Threatened
- Shorthead Sculpin - Threatened
- Short-tailed Albatross - Threatened
- Blue Whale - Endangered
- North Pacific Right Whale - Endangered
- Pacific Leatherback Turtle - Endangered
- Sei Whale - Endangered
Source:
Anna Hall. (2008) State of the Ocean in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area
(PNCIMA). David Suzuki Foundation. 148pp.
1These designations are given by the by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
