Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 14
Technical Summary
Eumetopias jubatus
Steller sea lion
Otarie de Steller
Range of Occurrence in Canada: British Columbia, Pacific Ocean
Extent and Area Information
Extent of occurrence (EO) (km2) | >10 000 km2 |
Specify trend in EO | Stable |
Are there extreme fluctuations in EO? | No |
Area of occupancy (AO) (km2) | <10 km2 (breeding sites) |
Specify trend in AO | Stable |
Are there extreme fluctuations in AO? | No |
Number of known or inferred current locations | 3 main breeding areas (several rookeries at each) |
Specify trend in # | Stable |
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations? | No |
Specify trend in area, extent or quality of habitat | Stable |
Population Information
Generation time (average age of parents in the population) | 10 y (females) |
Number of mature individuals | 40% of indigenous population (~7600) |
Total population trend | +3.2% per year (1971-2002) |
% decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations | |
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals? | No |
Is the total population severely fragmented? | No |
Specify trend in number of populations | |
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations? | |
List populations with number of mature individuals in each: |
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats) add rows as needed
Shooting (illegal and licensed predator control), incidental take in fishing gear, entanglement in debris, catastrophic accidents, environmental contaminants, displacement or degradation of their habitat, fluctuating prey populations, predation by killer whales, and disease
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source): Low
Status of outside population(s)? California, Oregon, Alaska and Russia |
Endangered/Threatened |
Is immigration known or possible? | Yes |
Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada? | Yes |
Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada? | Probably |
Is rescue from outside populations likely? | Low likelihood |
Quantitative Analysis
Status and Reasons for Designation
Status: Special Concern |
Alpha-numeric code: Met criteria for Threatened, D2, but was designated Special Concern because the population is increasing and there is a possible rescue effect. |
Reasons for Designation: There are only three breeding locations in British Columbia. Although the population is increasing, they are sensitive to human disturbance while on land. Threats include the possibility of acute oil spills. There are unexplained declines in other populations to the north and west of British Columbia. |
Applicability of Criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population):
Criteria not met. Population has increased since 1970.
Criteria not met. Population has increased since 1970.
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation):
There is no evidence of decline or fluctuations.
There is no evidence of decline or fluctuations.
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline):
Criteria not met. The population is increasing.
Criteria not met. The population is increasing.
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution):
Criteria D1 not met; number of mature individuals > 1000. Criteria D2 Threatened is met; there are only 3 locations in Canada. Additional locations are in SE Alaska, Oregon, and California.
Criteria D1 not met; number of mature individuals > 1000. Criteria D2 Threatened is met; there are only 3 locations in Canada. Additional locations are in SE Alaska, Oregon, and California.
Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis):
Not available.
Not available.
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