The most reliable source of monitoring data for Common Murres in Canada is Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Seabird Colony Monitoring Program, during which individuals are counted at their breeding colonies. Monitoring data are available from a number of colonies in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, but the number of years of observation varies. On the Atlantic coast, where the species is the most abundant, the population has been increasing since 1970, in part due to large-scale fisheries closures and a decrease in gillnet bycatch (Regular et al. 2013). In contrast, Common Murres breeding along the Pacific coast of Canada have decreased in abundance (Hipfner 2005, Gaston et al. 2009), but comprise a small proportion of the national population. The Common Murre is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see graph below). For more information, please refer to the Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada report (summarized version). To obtain a copy of the full version of this report, including tables and graphs, please contact ec.scf-oismiggibiers-cws-miggamebirds.ec@canada.ca.
Additional information on: Seabird Colony Monitoring Program