In 2011, SOURCES Archeological & Heritage Research Inc. conducted a Traditional Knowledge and Use study on the Scott Islands area.

They discovered 38 ethno-historic and 14 archeological sites that reflect the cultural and spiritual history of the area for these First Peoples.

[3] This 11,570.65 km2 (4,467.45 sq mi) mNWA serves to protect the abundance of seabirds and marine life that heavily depend on these islands and waters for breeding, shelter, and feeding.

[7] This mNWA's main purpose is to protect wildlife and biodiversity against the high volumes of sea vessel traffic running through this area.

[8] The mNWA will help reduce the threats of visual disturbances, noise pollution, oil discharge/spills, collisions, and high risks of grey water posed by various bulk carriers, large passenger vessels like cruise ships, cargo ships as well as tanker traffic.

[12] The Scott Islands provide critical breeding and nesting habitat for 40% of British Columbia's seabirds.

Bird species of note include tufted puffin, short-tailed albatross, black-footed albatross, Cassin's auklet, rhinoceros auklet, common murre, marbled murrelet, ancient murrelet, pink-footed shearwater, sooty shearwater, and bald eagle.

[9] The Scott Islands provide critical breeding and nesting habitat for 40% of British Columbia's seabirds.

[6] The harsh winters make it difficult for animals to live on the islands from the months October to February.

During the warmer time of the year, March to September, there is an abundance of diverse wildlife that takes up residence on the islands.

[13] Bird species of note include tufted puffin, short-tailed albatross, black-footed albatross, Cassin's auklet, rhinoceros auklet, common murre, marbled murrelet, ancient murrelet, pink-footed shearwater, sooty shearwater, and bald eagle.

The Steller sea lion rookeries in the Scott Islands are the second-largest breeding group in the world and provide approximately 70% of the pups for the population of British Columbia.

Of them, the Scott Islands mNWA (marine National Wildlife Area) has been designated as the fin whale's key habitat.

[17] Listed as Endangered under SARA are northern abalone, Marine algae (Percursaria dawsonii), great blue heron, Peale's peregrine falcon, fork-tailed storm petrel, pelagic cormorant, bald eagle, and black oystercatcher.

In particular, rats that jump from ships or are dumped on the islands by broken-down boats or lost cargo pose a threat.

[citation needed] Two of the major threats faced by commercial vessels within the Scott Islands mNWA are oily discharges and spills.

[22] Three of the 471 oiling incidents—or roughly 33 per year—that were discovered along BC's coast between 1997 and 2010 (according to another study) occurred close to the mNWA (marine National Wildlife Area).

[22] Greywater, defined as the drainage from sinks, washers, bathtubs, showers, or dishwashers, can have pollution levels that are on par with raw sewage.

[22] It can transmit dangerous bacteria and diseases, endanger human health, contain a wide range of pollutants, increase the amount of nutrients in the nearby water, leading to eutrophication and oxygen-depleted dead zones.

[22] The shelf break is an area where cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the seafloor, supporting food webs that attract whales and seabirds.