Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve Marine Warden Program

ROBSON BIGHT (MICHAEL BIGG) ECOLOGICAL RESERVE MARINE WARDEN PROGRAM

FINAL REPORT FOR BC PARKS CONTRACT CNEAN11014 2012

cetus research & conservation society in partnership with Yukusam Heritage Society

Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3 VOLUNTEERS: 3 STAFF: 3 BACKGROUND 4 HISTORY OF THE RESERVE 4 RBMBER WARDEN PROGRAM HISTORY 4 CETUS RESEARCH & CONSERVATION SOCIETY 5 YUKUSAM HERITAGE SOCIETY 5 RBMBER PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION 6 RBMBER WARDEN PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 7 MARINE BASED MONITORING - DESCRIPTION 7 SUMMARY OF MARINE-BASED MONITORING AND EDUCATION 8 LAND-BASED MONITORING - DESCRIPTION 10 SUMMARY OF LAND-BASED MONITORING 11 VESSEL SUMMARY 11 WHALE SUMMARY 13 INTERPRETIVE SUMMARY 15 PROGRAM LOGISTICS 16 RBMBER BEACH CLEAN UP 16 PROGRAM SIGNIFICANCE 18 REFERENCES 20 APPENDIX 1 21

Figures and Tables Figure 1: Critical habitat of the northern resident killer whale as set out in the Recovery Strategy for northern and southern resident killer whales in Canada (DFO. 2008) 6 Figure 2: Robson Bight Marine Warden on the way to contacting a vessel approaching the RBMBER 7 Figure 3: Checking the safety equipment & operations of WARDEN 1 prior to leaving the dock 7 Figure 4: Warden Program vessel contacts by day 8 Figure 5: Warden Program vessel contacts by vessel activity 9 Figure 6: Warden Program vessel contacts by vessel type 9 FIgure 8: Johnstone Strait and RBMBER Study Area 10 Figure 9: Robson Bight Marine Wardens at observation station tracking killer whales as they pass through the study area 10 Figure 13: Ratio of overall Vessel Activity 12 Figure 14: Vessel Activity by time of day 12 Figure 15: Killer whale presence in the Robson Bight Study Area 13 Figure 16: NRKW Activity Budget 2012 13 Figure 17: NRKW Activity Budget 2011 14 Figure 18: NRKW Activity Budget 2010 14 Figure 19: NRKW Activity Budget by Zone 14 Figure 20: Kayakers attending an interpretive talk at the observation station. 15 Figure 21: Cultural Interpreter 15 Figure 22: The number of visitors to the observation station. 15 Figure 23: Visitors to the observation station by guide company. 15 Figure 25: Some of the garbage removed from RBMBER during the beach cleanup. 16 Figure 26: Beach cleanup volunteers hard at work. 16 Figure 27: Removing oil pails from beach in RBMBER estuary 17 Figure 28: RBMBER Beach cleanup 2012 17 Table 1: Summary of Warden Program vessel contacts, 1995-2012 8 Table 2: COSEWIC and Provincial Status of BC Marine Mammals 19 Report prepared by: cetus research & conservation society on behalf of cetus society and the Yukusam Heritage Society ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The entire whale watching community and many special individuals have shown continuous support for the Warden Pro- gram since it’s inception and this is gratefully acknowledged. Cetus Research & Conservation Society and Yukusam Heri- support with the BC Parks Marine Warden Program for 2012.

B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network

VOLUNTEERS The Robson Bight Warden Program would like to extend its thanks to the individuals that volunteered many hours and helped make 2012 a very successful season:

STAFF WARDEN / MONITORING STAFF:

MANAGERS/ SUPPORT / LOGISTICS:

DATA ANALYSIS/SUPPORT:

BACKGROUND

HISTORY OF THE RESERVE The summer of 2012 marked the 30th year since the establishment of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve (RBM- BER) by BC Parks in 1982. BC Parks (2003) establishes Ecological Reserves for the: RBMBER in particular was selected as an area “to preserve representative and special natural ecosystems, plant and animal species, features and phenomena. Ecological Reserves provide the highest level of protection for the maintenance of physical and biological diversity while allowing for research and educational activities. ” (BC Parks, 2003). The protected area status represents BC Parks’ commitment to the preservation of wildlife habitat and distinctive ecosystems. The Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Committee (a joint committee of BC Parks and Fisheries and Oceans Canada) Background Re- port (1991) states that the RBMBER was established to protect key habitats for killer whales and prevent whale harassment while using these habitats. RBMBER is a sanctuary for killer whales, all boaters are expected to refrain from entering the reserve. To support its role as a sanctuary, the upland portion of RBMBER is closed to all uses or entry. This provides unique opportunities to research and observe whales, and serves to protect a pristine estuary, shoreline and vegetated slopes.

RBMBER WARDEN PROGRAM HISTORY The RBMBER Warden Program began in 1987 and was operated on yearly contracts until 1991. During 1991 – 1999 the program was operated by Bion Research Inc. Subsequently, Beaveridge Contracting operated the contract from 2000 - 2002. The John- stone Strait Killer Whale Interpretive Centre Society (JSKWICS) operated the program in 2003 and 2004. At the end of the 2004 season the JSKWICS board of directors decided that the marine education programs (Robson Bight Warden Program and Strait- watch) they were managing were limiting their ability to focus on their core objectives of managing and developing the Telegraph Cove based Whale Interpretive Centre. They encouraged the employees who had been operating the marine programs to form a new society to operate these programs. Cetus Research & Conservation Society (Cetus) was established in January 2005 for this purpose. Cetus has operated the warden program since 2005. During the spring of 2010 a partnership was formed between Cetus the Warden Program as the objectives of the Warden Program, as outlined in the recommendations of the Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Committee, parallel the goals of the Cetus - Yukusam Partnership. These goals include: conducting vessel/whale monitoring to assist in the development of long-term management strategies.

CETUS RESEARCH & CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Cetus’ mission is to facilitate the conservation of the marine environment by promoting community stewardship, conducting research, educating the public, and fostering activities that directly preserve marine habitats and biological diversity. Board of Directors Chair: Vice Chair: Secretary: Treasurer: Director: Director: Director:

YUKUSAM HERITAGE SOCIETY

the following goals: To restore and protect the natural terrestrial and marine environments of Hanson/ To identify and sustainably manage the unique cultural heritage resources of Han- To maintain on-going research activities that further the creation of sci- Island that provides training and employment opportunities for members of the Mamalilikulla, ‘Namgis and Tlowitsis First To provide managed public access to Hanson/Yukusam Island in a manner that balances the need for environmental protection, cultural education and sustainable economic development.

Board of Directors President: Treasurer: Secretary: Director:

RBMBER PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

for the northern resident population of killer whales (NRKW) in the Recovery Strategy for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales () in Canada (Figure 1) (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2008). Researchers in the 1970s observed Robson Bight the establishment of the RBMBER. A background report commissioned by the Ministry of Parks (Blood et al., 1988) describes the physical features of the reserve: “The Reserve includes marine and terrestrial components and is 1715 hectares in area, cen- tered around the Tsitika River estuary. It stretches along the 10.7 km of shoreline from the eastern boundary at Schmidt Creek to the western boundary at Sir John Creek. The marine component is 1248 hectares and is 1000 – 1500 m wide from the shoreline” The 2003 BC Parks RBMBER Purpose Statement notes that the ecological reserve protects the only undisturbed estuary on the - eulachon migrate through the estuary to their spawning grounds in the Tsitika River. As of 2008, there are no recent reports of eulachon in this area (BC Parks, 2010). Coho and Pink Salmon and Steelhead are the most abundant salmonids (BC Parks, 2010). northern goshawk.

RBMBER WARDEN PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Robson Bight Marine Warden Program is comprised of a marine based monitoring and educational component and a land patrol the study area to promote compliance with the RBMBER boundaries and the internationally endorsed Be Whale Wise provide interpretation to commercial charters, kayak groups, interested private and commercial mariners and any other park visitors.

MARINE-BASED MONITORING – DESCRIPTION

Wardens contact mariners approaching or entering the reserve and vessels engaged in whale watching activities using a 14’ Zo- The “Eagle Eye” monitoring station aids the wardens by reporting whale and vessel activity in the area. The primary activities of the Marine Wardens are: informing vessel operators about the reserve providing an interpretive program to visitors, - providing information on whale watching guide- monitoring whale-watching activity and providing education for vessel operators unfamiliar with the BWW guidelines. All contacts with Park visitors are made in a friendly, vessel operator, wardens approach safely from the stern quarter. Contact is attempted via marine VHF for large vessels and where a direct approach is con- sidered unsafe.

jackets, ball cap or toque with Robson Bight Ecologi- cal Reserve logo and in more inclement weather foul weather gear (red jackets with black pants). Warden vessels are equipped with the safety equipment required under Transport Canada’s Small Non- Pleasure Vessel Program. This equipment is checked daily (Figure 3). Additional safety measures under Cetus require the wardens to carry waterproof hand- held VHF radios on their body for backup and in the case of an emergency, as well as, to maintain regular via cell phone. Contacts with visitors are documented and entered monitor the reserve and surrounding study area to keep wardens apprised of whale and vessel activity to ensure the wardens are aware of vessels entering the reserve and engaged in whale watching activities.

Wardens follow a consistent format in approaching vessels while patrolling. The wardens identify themselves as part of the BC Parks Warden program and ensure visitors are aware of the RBMBER boundaries and the BWW guidelines. - gram, and deliver educational information on the natural history of the area. All visitors were provided with a BC Parks Robson Bight Ecological Reserve pamphlet (new in 2011), and a copy of the BWW guidelines. The BWW guidelines are endorsed by BC Parks, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA). Wardens may also provide B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network pamphlets,BWW stickers, BC Marine Mammal Response Network (BCMMRN) stickers, and Killer Whale Adoption Program pamphlets to visitors indicating interest. During each contact wardens request that vessels transit outside the RBMBER. Wardens contact vessels according to the following priority (from highest to lowest): whale oriented vessels in RBMBER whale oriented vessels outside the RBMBER boundary non-whale oriented vessels in RBMBER non-whale oriented vessels approaching RBMBER Wardens collect information on visitors describing: vessel origin, destination, knowledge of the RBMBER program and reserve Straitwatch (a marine mammal monitoring program based in Alert Bay and Victoria) and Soundwatch (a marine mammal monitoring program based in the San Juan Islands, WA).Additionally, the wardens record incidents of boater behaviour that is contrary - proaching the whales at a high speed the warden would hail the vessel on the VHF radio, channel 16 or 78A, to inform them of whales ahead of them and request that they reduce their speed and/or alter their course. Patrol activities are conducted in all weather excluding times when wind speeds exceed 30 knots or when fog has reduced vis- ibility to less than 500 meters.

SUMMARY OF MARINE-BASED MONITORING & EDUCATION Warden vessel based monitoring was conducted seven days a week from July 1st to September 3rd, 2012, between the hours of 0900 and 1700. The total number of vessel contacted by the Warden Program in 2012 was 239 (table 1), notably more than in 2010 and almost equal to the number contacted in 2011, 2009 and 2008. While the number of contacts are lower than those recorded prior to 2005, it is important to note that both the duration of the program over the summer (i.e. number of days) and the length of day (i.e. hours) on the water have been shortened due to a reduction of funding and rising costs. Of these contacts, the wardens provided 76 interpretive talks, and contacted 755 people comprised of recreational and commercial kayakers, power boaters, sailors and commercial whale watching passengers.

16 14 12 As usual, the season started slowly and 10 built as more killer whales arrived at the 8 end of July (Figure 4). In July a maximum 6 of 10 vessels were contacted in a day 4 with 8 days of no vessels contacted. The 2 number of vessels contacted per day in- 0 creased through August with only 4 days where no vessel contacts were made between August 1st and September 3rd. 01/07/12 08/07/12 15/07/12 22/07/12 29/07/12 05/08/12 12/08/12 19/08/12 26/08/12 02/09/12 The maximum number of contacts per day was 14 on August 28th. The average number of vessels contacted per day during the summer of 2012 was 3.68 (st.

The majority of the vessels contacted were transiting through the area (approx 66%), in com- whale oriented (27%) vessels (Figure 5). The most common vessel type contacted by the wardens were private motor vessels (66%) (Figure 6). The remaining vessel types included: private kayak ( 15%) vessels (1%), private sailing vessels (6%), guided kayak groups (8%), and a variety of other vessel types. Approximately 22% of the vessels contacted occured in the reserve, and similar to previous years predominantly in contacted for entering the reserve. BWW guideline incidents were led in frequency by vessels po- sitioned in the path of whales. Also of concern were vessels within 100 meters of whales underpower or stopped and vessels traveling at high speed (>7 knots) within 400 meters of whales. Details of all seri- ous incidents were passed on to DFO. Guided kayakers account for 8% of the vessels in the study area and for 10% of the whale watching guideline incidents. By comparison, unguided kayakers, who account for 15% of the vessels in the study area account for 7.5% of the incidents. This represents a great improvement in private kayaker behaviour, with a decrease in compliance by ecotour operators. Conversely, ecotour charters account for 2% of vessels in the study area and 3.5% of the incidents. Privately operated power vessels, by comparison account for 66% of vessels in the study area and 68% of whale watching guideline incidents. This speaks to the high standards that commercial operators hold themselves to and conversely indicates a strong need for education to privately owned vessel operators who tend to con- tribute a greater percentage of incidents to the total level of inap- propriate vessel behaviour. created in order to bring attention to the presence of the whales. It aware of the presence of the whales and therefore slow down and keep an eye out for the whales (Figure 7).

LAND-BASED MONITORING - DESCRIPTION

Monitoring services are conducted from a land based observation site on West Cracroft Island. This observation site, known as “Eagle Eye” is situated directly across from the RBMBER approximately 64m above sea level where observers obtain a clear view of the study area (Figure 8). The monitoring program has used this platform since at least 1992.

Three types of data are collected: Whale Scan Log (collecting information on killer whale presence, activity and - rection of travel across a stretch of Boat Count Log (recording vessel type, lo- activity and speed). Zone scans of boats and whales occur every 15 - curs each time a vessel crosses a ‘line’ from the monitoring station to the deepest point of the 3-4 boundary). which total approximately 37 km2 (or 3700 ha) - cated throughout the study area.

- sel types, killer whale matrilines and individual killer whales (Figure 9).

Observers record killer whale individuals, matrilines, number of individu- - - bing behaviour is recorded when whales enter one of the known rubbing

beaches, are within 50m a gravel beach, or when bubbles or splashing is observed in the vicinity. Resting behaviour is recorded when whales were observed in a resting line. Whales swimming consistently in the same direction for three or more surfacings between these two behaviours. Frequent signs of surface-active behaviour such as spy hopping, breaching and splashing while - - - logued matrilines and with the assistance of local ‘whale watching network’ information. and 4. This log records time, vessel type, direction of travel (East or West) and whether the vessel was inside or outside the reserve. vessels. All pleasure vessels were assumed recreational vessels (PM) unless they were a known working vessel or were observed engaged in working activities.

SUMMARY OF LAND-BASED MONITORING

Whale and vessel data was collected from our observation station on West Cracroft Island from July 1st to Sept 3rd between 0900 and 1700 for a total of 520 hours.

VESSEL SUMMARY Two thousand two hundred and fourty two vessels were counted transiting the study area between 0900 to 1700 over the 63 days of monitoring in 2012 (Figure 10) with an average of seven vessels in the study area at any one time and 34 vessels transiting the area per day. This is down from 40 vessels transiting the area per day in 2011, 61 vessels per day in 2010, 43 vessels per day in 2009 and 53 per day in 2008.

40 IN RESERVE 30 TRUE 20 FALSE 10

0 7/1/2012 7/5/2012 7/9/2012 8/2/2012 8/6/2012 9/3/2012 7/13/2012 7/17/2012 7/21/2012 7/25/2012 7/29/2012 8/10/2012 8/14/2012 8/18/2012 8/22/2012 8/26/2012 8/30/2012

Whale Watching Whale Watching Ecotour Kayakers Ecotour Kayakers Private Kayakers Private Kayakers Maritime Commercial Maritime Commercial Commercial Fishing Private Motor & Sail Private Motor & Sail Government Government Aircraft Aircraft Monitoring Monitoring

Enforcement Fishing Monitoring Research Transiting Whale Focused

these vessels are engaged in (Figure 13) and how the vessel activities change throughout the day (Figure 14). The amount of vessels engaged in each activity remains fairly constant throughout the day, except for whale focused activity which tends to peak between 11:00 and 11:30 and again at 15:30 and 16:30 with the arrival of commercial ecotour operators in the study area.

10 Whale Focused

8 Transiting Research 6 Not Recorded Monitoring 4 Fishing 2 Enforcement Dolphin Focused 0 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00

WHALE SUMMARY

(Figure 15). NRKWs were present in the study area 22 of the 31 days in August, and spent less time around Robson Bight than last summer when they were present 28 days. Whales were present 2 of the 3 monitoring days in September. Transients spent time in the area in mid and late July and again in mid and late August. The A30 and A23 matrilines spent the most time in the Robson Bight study area, while the R5s spent the least and were only present for one day.

120

100 Transients R5 80 I15 60 A8 A36 40 A30 20 A25 A23 0 A12 A11 08-Jul-12 10-Jul-12 19-Jul-12 23-Jul-12 29-Jul-12 31-Jul-12 03-Sep-12 02-Aug-12 04-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 15-Aug-12 18-Aug-12 20-Aug-12 23-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 27-Aug-12 29-Aug-12 31-Aug-12

An activity budget (Figure 16) for all whales TRAVELLING BEACH RUBBING 23% 5% of there time foraging in the study area dur- - aging than in the summers of 2008 and 2009 when they spent 11% and 5% of their time foraging, and more than in 2011 (Figure 17) SOCIALIZING and 2010 (Figure 18) when they spent 36% 8% and 43% of their time foraging. With this in- FORAGING crease in foraging there was less time spent 55% travelling. Similar to 2011, 22%, of the time was spent travelling in the study area during RESTING 2012, whereas in 2009 travelling behaviour 9% was observed 68% of the time. For the past 5 years Beach Rubbing has taken up between 5 and 6 % of the NRKWs time when in the study area.

BEACH BEACH RUBBING RUBBING TRAVELLING 6% 5% 26% FORAGING TRAVELLING 36% 29% FORAGING 43% SOCIALIZING 8%

SOCIALIZING 19% RESTING RESTING 13% 15%

their time. As usual, foraging was concentrated along the Vancouver Island shore and all beach rubbing activity occurred in -

INTERPRETIVE SUMMARY There continues to be strong interest in the research and interpretive talks conducted at the observation site by park visitors (Figure 20). Visitors accessed the monitoring site via trails from either Boat Bay to the east (~1 hour hike) or “Pig Ranch” to the west (~30 min hike). At the observation site, visitors were provided information on natural history on the whales and the conservation threats they must endure, as well as the Warden program’s current research and monitoring projects. In 2011, the Namgis & Cetus successfully ap- plied for an AFSAR (Aboriginal Funds for Spe- cies at Risk) grant, which was used to create a new cultural interpreter project. The cultural interpreter project, prepared by the ‘Namgis First Nation on behalf of the Yukusam Heri- tage Society, assisted the Yukusam Heritage Society to meet the goal of adding an aboriginal cultural interpretation component to the highly successful marine mammal protection program mounted in Robson Bight since 1987. The grant was once again awarded for the 2012 season, which increased the Namgis First Nation’s capacity in participating in the protection and recovery of marine species at risk. From July to September, the cultural interpreter (a member of the Namgis First Nation) provided 58 cultural interpretive talks to approximately 572 visitors of the RBMBER at the observation station and on local kayaking beaches. The talks included information on the natural history of the animals within the marine environment, traditional ecological knowledge about the area and its marine species at risk, and the conservation concerns these animals face. Visitors were often met at the beach behind Pig Ranch, and guided through the forest by the cultural interpreter (Figure 21). During the 2012 season approximately 505 people visited the monitoring site during 51 40 visits. The peak of the visits occurred in late 35 July and in early and mid August 2012 (Figure 22). 30 Commercial kayak groups still provide the 25 majority of the visitors to the observa- 20 tion station and this year seven companies brought their guests to the observation site 15 plus 8 private groups (Figure 23). An average of 8 visitors came to the monitoring site 10 5 people. 0 Excerpts from various kayaking companies advertising on the internet advertising:

“We meet people involved in researching the 7/4/2012 7/8/2012 8/2/2012 8/6/2012 8/9/2012 9/2/2012 7/11/2012 7/13/2012 7/17/2012 7/19/2012 7/25/2012 7/27/2012 7/29/2012 8/12/2012 8/14/2012 8/17/2012 8/20/2012 8/23/2012 8/26/2012 8/30/2012 us hiking through an incredible coastal rain forest on a trail that brings us out to a plateau Blue Water Discovery overlooking the Robson Bight Ecological Re- Expeditions Ecosummer serve in Johnstone Strait, where researchers Adventures 2% 2% Expeditions have a primitive camp. This is our time to 17% talk directly to people who are very much in SOW the know on the daily events of the area as 43% they are at that lookout every day from eight in the morning till eight at night [sic] record- OFA 16% Johnstone Strait. Some guests say that this day is their best of the trip.” “We will hike up forest trails to high viewing platforms used by researchers studying the habits of the whales.” Passing Cloud 2% “Our hike up to visit the whale researchers at Sea to Sky “eagle eye” will give us a bird’s eye view over 2% Private the Strait, and further our knowledge of the 16% whales.” PROGRAM LOGISTICS As in previous years, a base camp is maintained at Boat Bay on West Cracroft Island, with a lumber shelter acting as a cooking, - cured to tent platforms. Cell phones are used for a daily check in with THE ANSWERING SERVICE in Courtenay. The observation the RBMBER, is accessed daily from the base camp by trail or boat. Weekly trips to Alert Bay and Port McNeill are undertaken to re- program site.

The Warden Program is operated with a range of two to nine per- sonnel – two part-time year round employees which increases dur- three volunteers to assist our employees.

RBMBER BEACH CLEAN UP After a successful 2012 season, Cetus in cooperation with - ond RBMBER beach cleanup on Sept. 16th 2012. A group of 23 community volunteers (including Cetus and BC Parks - man at the helm, headed out to the reserve early in the morning to catch the low tide. Once at the reserve they split into groups and covered all the beaches within the ecological reserve. By late afternoon all the garbage from the RBMBER beaches had been collected, as well as a few Garbage collected included: tons of styrofoam, tons of plastic crates, plastic buckets, PVC pipe, plastic bags, ciga- oil bottles, clothing, shoes, crocs , food wrappers, shotgun shells, straws , crab trap, pallets, toilet seat, propane bottle , tampon applicators - Plastic, plastic and more plastic….little bits of plastic everywhere: bottle lids, lighters, kids toys.

It’s kind of ironic to call the beach clean up a success when the goal is to collect as much garbage as possible. Getting the garbage In fact BC elephant seals have been recovered with Styrofoam in their stomachs and a grey whale recently recovered in Washing- ton State had gallons of marine debris in its stomach, including a golf ball, plastic bags and sweat pants.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped out! From: - BC Parks (www.bcparks.ca). - Young Naturalists Club of BC, Northern Vancouver Island (www.ync.ca) - Stubbs Island Whale Watching (http://www.stubbs-island.com/)

For more information see: http://cetussociety.org/2012/09/robson-bight-beach-cleanup-2/

PROGRAM SIGNIFICANCE

- ed as ‘Threatened’ by both by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC 2002) and by the BC - dent (designated ‘Endangered’) and northern resident (designated ‘Threatened’) populations. In June 2003, NRKW were also listed as “Threatened” under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) (Environment Canada 2004). Most recently, the Recovery Strategy for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca) in Canada produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada un- for NRKW (DFO, 2008). The Canadian Wildlife Service’s Species at Risk Database cites the reason for the ‘Threatened’ listing of the NRKW (based on Baird 1999) as due to: RBMBER helps to address threats to NRKWs by providing an area free from whale watch oriented boat disturbance and vessel noise. This is supported by recent analyses of the monitoring data collected by the Marine Warden Program from 1995 – 2002 by Williams et al. (2002). The analysis indicates that NRKW show a strong preference for RBMBER over adjacent waters, using - Johnstone Strait (Williams 2003). NRKW are 1.5 times as likely to feed inside the reserve as outside the reserve. Williams (2003) Williams’ research provides a strong argument for the operation of the reserve to mitigate impacts to this COSEWIC listed supply. This, in combination with Williams (2003), provides a strong rationale for identifying RBMBER as ‘critical habitat’, as events occur inside the reserve. Several other COSEWIC listed species (and populations of killer whales) frequent Johnstone Strait and spend time in the RBM- with reduced impact of vessels and due to the public education provided to mariners by the wardens.

locate their prey via passive listening (Barrett-Lennard et al. 1996). It is likely that transients locate their prey by listening for may moderate the impacts of vessel noise for this population of killer whales. The population of humpback whales on the BC coast was dramatically reduced as a result of whaling in the last century. In the was listed by COSEWIC (2002) as “Threatened” in 1985 and under SARA (Schedule 2) in June 2003 (Environment Canada 2004). Broughton Archipelago, often with over 20 humpback whales present. whales, the presence and operation of RBMBER potentially mitigates an area of reduced vessel activity and noise. Addition- ally, education provided by the Warden Program will have a positive impact in reducing the impacts of vessels on this species. With the increasing number of humpbacks in these waters, it will be important for the North Island to have an entanglement informing the public of how to respond and by assisting as part of a planning and response team in the event an entanglement occurs.

REFERENCES

Baird, R. W. (1999). Status of killer whales in Canada. Species Status Report. Ottawa: Committee on the Status of Endan- gered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). BC Conservation Data Center. 2005. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. Ministry of Environment. Victoria, BC. Available: http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp/ (Accessed Dec. 2009) BC Parks (2003). Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve Purpose Statement. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/robsonb/robsonbight_ps.pdf (Accessed Dec 2009) BC Parks (2010). Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve Detailed Description. Available: http://www.env.gov. bc.ca/bcparks/eco_reserve/robsonb_er/Robson%20Bight%20ER%20111.pdf (Accessed Dec 2010) Blood, D.A., I.B. MacAskie, and C.J. Low (1988). Robson Bight Ecological Reserve – Background Report. Prepared by D.A. Blood and Associates, for B.C. Ecological Reserves Program, Victoria: B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, COSEWIC (2002). COSEWIC Species Search. Available: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/st1/searchdetail_e.cfm (Accessed Dec. 2009) Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) (2011). Be Whale Wise - Marine Wildlife Guidelines for Boaters, Paddlers and Viewers. Available: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species/marinemammals/view_e.htm (Accessed October 10, 2011). Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (2008). Recovery Strategy for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orci- nus Orca) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Ottawa, ix + 81pp. Catalogue 2010. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 38 p. Environment Canada (2004). Species at Risk. Killer Whale. Available: http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/search/speciesDetails_e.cfm?SpeciesID=698 (Accessed Dec. 2008) Ecology Progress Series 316: 185-199. Ford, J.K.B., G.M. Ellis, and K.C. Balcomb. (2000). Killer whales.2nd Edition. University of British Columbia Press, Vancou- ver, B.C. 104 p Johnstone Strait Killer Whale Committee (1991). Background Report. JSKWC. Vancouver. Williams, R., A.W. Trites, D.E. Bain, (2002). Behavioural responses of killer whales (Orcinus Orca) to whale-watching boats: opportunistic observations and experimental approaches, Journal of Zoology (London). London. Williams, R. (2003). Cetacean studies using platforms of opportunity. PhD. Thesis, St. Andrews: University of St. Andrews.

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