Monthly Archives: January 2014

Motor Boat Disturbances to Life at Race Rocks

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Whether or not you consider marine mammals to be a valuable part of an ecosystem, we have the unique opportunity of having an island close to a major centre of population which is a haulout habitat for five marine mammal species and a birthing habitat for three of those species. This is unique in Canada, and it is our responsibility to maintain that ecological integrity of the location as much as possible. The purpose of the ecological reserve is to protect as far as possible the entire ecosystem, including the seabirds, mammals, marine invertebrates, fish and algae.
Below we have some examples of the results of what we might call “Anthropogenic” or human caused disturbances from encounters of animals with motor boats. These are only the ones we see and document. No one knows what goes undocumented. Safe boating practises and speed reduction are needed in all areas around bird and mammal colonies. Regulations for all boaters within the reserve can be found in the regulations file.
 
 cut seal
 sea lion - boat collision
In this video, you can see the results of what a motor boat can do when driven over an elephant seal. Male Elephant Seal Injured by BOAT propeller
–January 2003		 his file provides evidence of what can happen when boaters do not exercise caution. Over the years, we have picked up several baby harbour seals at Race Rocks which have been decapitated by careless boaters. The most recent ones in Pedder Bay are documented here also. Regular observation and photographing of sea lions in 2009 has shown a number of horrendous injuries which are probably caused by collision with boat propellers. This file documents a number of those.

Often the greatest ignorance about marine mammal viewing regulations is illustrated by the actions of recreational boaters. Such infractions of the laws are forwarded to the DFO Marine Mammal Division for follow-up.

Infractions noted in the log are linked here:

marine mammal infraction marin mammal infraction marine mammal infraction marine mammal infraction
On the afternoon of February 15, 2009, these boaters were seen off South Rock, speeding in the ecological reserve and driving too closely, They succeeded in stampeding the northern sea lions into the water. Being in that area they probably scraped bottom as well.
 On February 26, 2009  a vessel entered the reserve with excessive speed from the north just before noon.  It stopped too close to North Rocks where some northern sea lions and harbour seals were hauled out.
 It then cleared the E. side of these rocks and again sped to the rocks on the SE side of Great Race.  They did two passes of these rocks at this or closer distance, and then sped out of the reserve going north.
marine mammal viewing public ignorance boat too close
Boat # 14k4117 seems to think that the regulations about marine mammal viewing don’t apply to them.
11:30 AM Sept. 8, 2009		 From boat# 30K2923 an individual throws a baitfish to the sea lions from a few metres off the shore. Needless to say this was a first!
Noon, September 30, 2009.		 October 19, 2009.

The Problem with Drones

So far we have only had one instance of a drone being deployed over Race Rocks by a private boat in August, 2015.  We would like to remind the public that because of the potential to disrupt wildlife, the only justification for deploying a drone in any Ecological Reserve would be for research purposes and then only under permit from BC Parks,

The Problem with Personal Watercraft

Personal watercraft speeding in reserve Personal watercraft speeding in reserve disturbed sea lion personal water craft
The inevitable has happened. The personal watercraft was photographed on March 6, 2010 These vessels are sure to increase in the area unless Federal regulations are brought up to date. This sea lion was alert after two others had just been disturbed by the vessel and had jumped in the water. In March, 2012 a pair of personal watercraft came through the reserve
DND REPORTDEMARCHI, MW AND MD BENTLEY. 2004. Effects of natural and human-caused disturbances on marine birds and pinnipeds at Race Rocks, British Columbia.

LGL Report EA1569. Prepared for Department of National Defence, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt and Public Works and Government Services Canada. 103 p.

 

research from weather dataCara Lachmuth, UBC uses Race Rocks atmospheric and sea data for Master’s thesis in 2008 on A Model-Based Approach Investigating Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Exposure To Marine Vessel Engine Exhaust.This report was commissioned by the DND in 2003 to determine the impacts of disturbances at Race Rocks. Examples of the impacts on bird and mammal behaviour by several types of motor vessels using and transiting the reserve are detailed
D

 

Return to the Environmental Impact and Disturbances Index.

Go to the files on:

Permits/ Operating regulations/ Guidelines for human activities

Disturbance from Kayaks at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

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Kayaks are frequently a problem in the reserve, as kayakers seem to think they are so environmentally friendly that they can approach the bird and marine mammal areas without causing disturbance. We believe from our observations however, that kayaks are in fact the most disruptive form of transportation around the islands. Their quiet, stealthy approach to within the flight distance of the birds and mammals often leads to a greater stampede effect when the kayaks are noticed. There must also be continued enforcement of speed limits in the reserve, and a total exclusion is recommended for all motorized ski craft, before it becomes an issue.Link to the Ecoguardians posts which demonstrate the Problem with Kayaks
All of the margins of the islands are especially sensitive when seal pupping takes place from April to August. In particular, the channel to the south of the tower must be off limits to all boats. Harbour seals and cormorants especially are spooked at any time of the year when kayaks or other boats approach. Research has been done on this problem by Trudy Chatwin. It is available here: http://ecoreserves.bc.ca/category/17+management/entitled How Close is too close and Development of Scientifically base Guidelines for Viewing Seabirds
On February 3, 2007, the cormorants in the photos below on the left were suddenly disturbed by kayakers approaching too closely to the shore of Race Rocks . An observant viewer on the cam 5 robotic camera sent these photos with the comment: ” There was a sizeable group of cormorants with those seagulls and suddenly they took to the air – I thought it was an eagle approaching but it was the paddlers, so they did indeed scare the birds.  The first picture was taken a few seconds before the kayaks were seen.”.

Distance between the main islands. This map shows the 100 metre zone around areas of marine mammal haulout and seabird colonies. This is the recommended minimal viewing distance. See DFO regulations

Return to the file on : Index of Disturbances of the Ecosystem at Race Rocks
Link to: Updated Draft of the Marine Mammal regulation  (DFO)

Orcas

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NE wind up to 15 NMPH, some light rain.

This morning a pod of orcas passed through the reserve heading West. I first noticed a splash on the north side of the island and then saw a small orca traveling quite fast and surging out of the water. It traveled around the West side and by the time I got to the helicopter pad had joined a group of at least 4 other orcas West of the reserve. Then another group of orcas appeared of the South end of race rocks, inside the reserve, traveling west towards the other group. There were at least 5 orcas in that group too. Both groups seemed to have one larger adult with them. This was the closest I have seen orcas inside the reserve.