Latest news with #SpeciesatRiskAct
National Observer
3 hours ago
- Science
- National Observer
BC's sunflower sea stars are now endangered, but rays of hope remain
Sunflower sea stars clinging to life in BC's cold-water fjords are officially on the edge of extinction, a scientific advisory panel is warning. A once-abundant predator of the sea floor along the Pacific coast, stretching from Alaska to Baja California, Pycnopodia helianthoides, has been assessed as endangered by the federal Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). While disheartening, the decision isn't unexpected and could offer a margin of hope for the survival of the massive, vibrant sea star, said Alyssa Gehman, marine ecologist with the Hakai Institute. The only type of its genus, an adult sunflower star Pycnopodia (which comes in a variety of purple, orange or pinks) is one of the largest, fastest sea stars in the ocean, often reaching a metre wide with 16 to 24 arms. It has 15,000 tube feet that suspend it off the seafloor and allow it to move more than a metre per minute when on the prowl for prey, Gehman said. 'They kind of look like a hovercraft moving towards their food.' The species has suffered catastrophic population declines of 80 to 90 per cent in the last decade due to a marine epidemic known as sea star wasting disease that causes white lesions on the many-armed creatures before rapidly reducing them to mush. Sunflower sea stars clinging to life in BC's cold-water fjords are officially on the edge of extinction, a Canadian scientific advisory panel warns. The wasting syndrome surfaced in 2013 along with spiking ocean temperatures caused by climate change, Gehman said. The disease attacks other types of sea stars as well, but it's decimated the sunflower variety, pushing them into virtual extinction in California and Mexican waters. Pockets of sunflower sea stars have found some refuge from the disease tucked away in the deep, cold inlets of the BC central coast, Gehman said. However, those remaining populations aren't immune to outbreaks and their chances of survival remain fragile. 'While [being endangered] is clearly bad news, the silver lining is that COSEWIC's acknowledgment might finally generate momentum to save Pycnopodia — whether that's in the form of funding, policy changes, or conservation programs,' Gehman said. The federal ministry of the environment and climate change will examine the committee's report in the fall to consider protecting the sunflower sea star under Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA). It's illegal to kill, harm or capture wildlife listed under the act. Identifying critical habitat and devising a recovery strategy, complete with timelines and outcomes, is also required for a protected species. 'I hope it's a speedy process because there's real urgency,' Gehman said. 'From a conservation perspective, even though we have these really amazing refuge populations that give us a lot of hope, they're not stable … So, the more we can learn about what is happening with them, the more that can help us to try and conserve the species.' The sunflower sea stars are carnivores that play an important role in ocean health, said Gehman. Their primary prey is sea urchins which, if left unchecked by predators, can mow down kelp forests that offer food and shelter for lots of different marine life. Gehman and other researchers are monitoring between six and 12 fjords to pinpoint the conditions that offer sunflower sea stars the most protection against the disease. Water chilled and churned up by Arctic winter winds channelled into the inlets seems to buffer the impacts, she said. In warmer weather, glacial melt creates a freshwater surface layer in the fjords. Since Pycnopodia don't like fresh water, the sea stars move deeper into saltier, colder water layers, which appears to slow but not completely prevent outbreaks, Gehman said. Typically, sunflower stars in other areas of the coast prefer water temperatures around 16 C. But now it appears that water temperatures must be less than 12 C to limit the spread of the pathogen. 'The disease is actually changing what temperature would be best for them,' Gehman said. The sea stars haven't adapted quickly enough to the disease to consistently avoid warmer waters, which makes understanding the factors at play in their cold-water hideouts critical for their survival, she said. Research is taking place south of the border to breed sunflower sea stars that are more resistant to the wasting disease, so they can potentially be released into the wild to repopulate marine areas. In future, Gehman wants to study other kinds of sea stars — like the purple or orange ochre sea stars on the West Coast— that have better withstood the withering disease in a bid for clues scientists could use to help out their much larger cousins. Identifying and protecting coastal fjords that offer the best conditions for sunflower sea stars is also an important step. Although the Pycnopodia situation is grave, Gehman says she recently experienced a rare and magical moment when the research team witnessed a massive spawning event involving 20 to 30 sea stars, while surveying one of the fjords. 'It's absolutely wild,' Gehman said, The sunflower sea stars have pores that circle the centre of their body. The marine creatures stretch upward on extended arms and arch their bodies, with females releasing masses of pinkish eggs while males emit white clouds of sperm. 'Only the tips of their arms are on the bottom with their middle body tented up into the water column,' she said. 'There were some absolutely giant animals. It kind of looks like there's a halo of pores on them, and everything is pouring out into the water — it's really surreal.' The spawning event is a hopeful sign these cold-water strongholds can offer the endangered species some measure of resiliency from climate change and disease, she said. But the situation remains tenuous and variable, said Gehman, noting on the same trip researchers found sunflower sea stars had been wiped out in one inlet but had bounced back in another. 'So, scientifically, we're learning a lot while also being sad,' she said.
Canada Standard
4 days ago
- General
- Canada Standard
Government of Canada Provides Early Decision on Flood Diversion Project in New Brunswick
June 5, 2025 -Ottawa-Impact Assessment Agency of Canada The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has completed its review of the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project, a new permanent flood control management system in Sussex, New Brunswick, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means. The proponent, the Town of Sussex, may now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits from federal and provincial authorities. To arrive at its section .16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act , IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts to federal jurisdiction and ensure they can be appropriately mitigated. After a careful review of these issues, the proponent's response and other factors, including comments from the public, IAAC determined that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Fisheries Act , Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 , Species at Risk Act , the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act , and the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit under the New Brunswick Clean Water Act . As a result, a more comprehensive impact assessment is not required. The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC's decision with reasons.
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada Provides Early Decision on Flood Diversion Project in New Brunswick
OTTAWA, ON, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has completed its review of the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project, a new permanent flood control management system in Sussex, New Brunswick, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means. The proponent, the Town of Sussex, may now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits from federal and provincial authorities. To arrive at its section .16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act, IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts to federal jurisdiction and ensure they can be appropriately mitigated. After a careful review of these issues, the proponent's response and other factors, including comments from the public, IAAC determined that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Species at Risk Act, the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act, and the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit under the New Brunswick Clean Water Act. As a result, a more comprehensive impact assessment is not required. The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC's decision with reasons. Quick Facts The Town of Sussex, New Brunswick, is proposing the construction and operation of a new permanent flood control management system. As proposed, the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project would consist of two new diversion channels and divert water from Trout Creek and Parsons Brook around the Town to the Kennebecasis River during flood events. IAAC facilitates the sustainable development of major projects subject to the Impact Assessment Act through open and efficient assessments. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous Rights are protected as projects get built. To support needed investment in major projects, we work closely with other jurisdictions to achieve the goal of "one project, one assessment." Canada and the Atlantic provinces work together on improving the efficiency of assessments of major projects and have successfully coordinated several processes to the extent possible, such as on timelines, comment periods, documentation and the sharing of expertise. Decisions like these ensure that Canada's impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether an impact assessment is required or not.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Government of Canada Provides Early Decision on Flood Diversion Project in New Brunswick
OTTAWA, ON, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has completed its review of the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project, a new permanent flood control management system in Sussex, New Brunswick, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means. The proponent, the Town of Sussex, may now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits from federal and provincial authorities. To arrive at its section .16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act, IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts to federal jurisdiction and ensure they can be appropriately mitigated. After a careful review of these issues, the proponent's response and other factors, including comments from the public, IAAC determined that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Species at Risk Act, the New Brunswick Clean Environment Act, and the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Permit under the New Brunswick Clean Water Act. As a result, a more comprehensive impact assessment is not required. The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC's decision with reasons. Quick Facts The Town of Sussex, New Brunswick, is proposing the construction and operation of a new permanent flood control management system. As proposed, the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project would consist of two new diversion channels and divert water from Trout Creek and Parsons Brook around the Town to the Kennebecasis River during flood events. IAAC facilitates the sustainable development of major projects subject to the Impact Assessment Act through open and efficient assessments. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous Rights are protected as projects get built. To support needed investment in major projects, we work closely with other jurisdictions to achieve the goal of "one project, one assessment." Canada and the Atlantic provinces work together on improving the efficiency of assessments of major projects and have successfully coordinated several processes to the extent possible, such as on timelines, comment periods, documentation and the sharing of expertise. Decisions like these ensure that Canada's impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether an impact assessment is required or not. Associated Links Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project Impact Assessment Process Overview (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada) Follow us on X: @IAAC_AEIC #SussexNB SOURCE Impact Assessment Agency of Canada View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Port authority expands threat reduction measures for endangered southern resident killer whales off B.C.'s coast
More than 70 marine transportation organizations will slow down or move away from key areas of importance to at-risk whales, including 'hot spot' for endangered orcas VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program launched expanded threat reduction measures to reduce the impacts of commercial shipping on at-risk whales such as the southern resident killer whales. As part of the ECHO Program's 2025 measures, ship operators from more than 70 marine transportation organizations will slow down or move away from key areas of southern resident killer whale critical habitat from June to approximately November this year. New this year, the program has expanded its voluntary ship slowdown at Swiftsure Bank to more effectively overlap with a 'hot spot' of southern resident killer whale activity identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This expansion is in addition to the program's annual ship slowdown at Haro Strait and Boundary Pass and its route alteration in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Altogether, the measures will cover a record-high distance of about 86 nautical miles of the Pacific Ocean, and more than 50% of the killer whale critical habitat that overlaps with commercial shipping lanes.'Swiftsure Bank is an important area where southern resident killer whales hunt, play, and forage together as the highly social marine mammals they are, which is why keeping noise to a minimum in this area is of critical importance to supporting the whales' recovery,' said Lance Barett-Leonard, senior scientist at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and founding advisor of the ECHO Program. In previous years, the ECHO Program's threat reduction measures have effectively reduced underwater noise from commercial ships––a key threat to at-risk whales––by up to half, and research shows that the slowdowns can also reduce the risk of whale strikes by up to nearly a third and cut air emissions by approximately a quarter. 'Over the last ten years, the ECHO Program has continuously adapted its initiatives to reflect the latest research on where southern resident killer whales are present and how threats from shipping can be mitigated,' said Jennifer Natland, vice president of properties and environment at the port authority. 'We hope to continue to demonstrate how collaborative, science-based efforts like these can create quieter oceans for endangered whales.' Last May, the port authority partnered with the Government of Canada and marine industry partners to extend the Species at Risk Act (Section 11) Conservation Agreement to Support the Recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale for another five-year term. As part of the agreement, the partners committed to continue leading and participating in efforts to address shipping impacts such as underwater noise and physical disturbance through voluntary initiatives such as ship slowdowns, route alterations, and research efforts. Transport Canada contributed $3.2 million over two years to support the continued operation of the ECHO Program. 'The Southern Resident killer whale is an iconic species, and its recovery depends on strong, sustained partnerships—with Indigenous communities, industry, and local stakeholders. Through our work with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the ECHO Program, we're taking coordinated action to reduce underwater vessel noise and create a safer, quieter ocean environment that will support the recovery of this species,' said Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal in 2014, the ECHO Program is one of the port authority's key efforts to enable Canada's trade through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment. The ECHO Program brings together partners and advisors from across the marine transportation industry, government, Indigenous communities, and environmental groups, to plan and implement threat reduction measures for at-risk whales. 'Cruise Lines International Association is a strong supporter of the partnership of the Conservation Agreement and ECHO Program, recognizing the importance of the voluntary initiatives and collaborative measures to protect the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales', said Donna Spalding, Cruise Lines International Association. "We're pleased to continue our strong support for these voluntary slowdowns for the endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The ECHO program is a great example of how diverse interests and co-users of Canada's waterways can work together and put constructive solutions into place,' said Miako Ushio, Director, Environmental Affairs, Shipping Federation of Canada. 'Our members at the Chamber of Shipping are proud participants in the ECHO Program, demonstrating that commerce and conservation can coexist,' said Bonnie Gee, President of the Chamber of Shipping. For more information: ECHO Program Learn more about the ECHO Program's 2025 voluntary slowdowns and route alteration for commercial ships List of participating marine transportation organizations About the ECHO Program The Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program is a first-of-its-kind, regional collaborative program developed and led by the port authority to better understand and reduce the cumulative effects of commercial shipping on at-risk whales along British Columbia's southern coast, with a focus on endangered southern resident killer whales. About the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the arm's-length federal agency that stewards the lands and waters that make up the Port of Vancouver, alongside the enduring stewardship of First Nations. As a Canada Port Authority, it is accountable to the federal Minister of Transport and operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's purpose is to enable Canada's trade through the Port of Vancouver by being reliable and innovative, while protecting the environment. The port authority is structured as a non-share corporation, is financially self-sufficient and does not rely on tax dollars for operations. Revenues come from port terminals and tenants who lease port lands, and from port users who pay various fees such as harbour dues. Profits are reinvested in port operating services and infrastructure. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's gateway to diverse markets, enabling trade of approximately $350 billion every year with 170 countries. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia in Canada, its 29 major deep-water terminals and more than 1,000 tenants move goods and people across five sectors (auto, bulk, breakbulk, container and cruise). The port is made up of approximately 16,000 ha of water, 1,500 ha of land and 350 km of shoreline, extending across Burrard Inlet, Fraser River and Roberts Bank. It borders 16 municipalities and intersects the traditional territories and treaty lands of more than 35 Coast Salish First Nations. The Port of Vancouver is the fourth largest port in North America by tonnage and handles almost as much cargo as Canada's next five largest ports combined. Port operations sustain more than 132,000 supply chain and related jobs across Canada. Media Contact Arpen Rana Senior Communications Advisor 778-239-5264 in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
