Legal Listing Consultation Workbook, Striped Bass, Bay of Fundy Population and Miramichi Population-2006

Drawing of a Striped Bass
Distribution map

Scientists estimate that the world’s species are becoming extinct at a rate that is as much as 10,000 times higher than it should naturally be. It’s a staggering statistic and a source of concern for all humans. Although many Canadians understand that species have intrinsic worth, sometimes we forget why the disappearance of a species matters. At the most basic level, species diversity, often referred to as “biodiversity,” is crucial to ensure that life continues on earth. From a human standpoint, biodiversity also supports people’s livelihoods, enables sustainable development and encourages cooperation among nations.

In 2003, the Government of Canada took a major step toward protecting species at risk and their habitats in Canada when it proclaimed the Species at Risk Act (SARA). SARA was designed as a key tool for the conservation and protection of biodiversity in Canada. It provides a framework for action across the country to ensure the survival and recovery of wildlife species at risk and the protection of our natural heritage. The law protects those plants and animals that are included on the “List of Wildlife Species at Risk,” sometimes referred to as “Schedule 1” or the “SARA List.”

(For more information on SARA, visit the SARA Registry)

In order to determine which species should be “listed,” or added to the SARA list of protected species, the Government of Canada consults the general public, with special emphasis on those groups either directly involved with or particularly interested in the species under review. The government makes its decision only after carefully considering the outcome of consultations as well as the potential social and economic implications of listing the species. This consultation workbook is part of the government’s effort to obtain feedback on whether or not the Striped Bass should be added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk.

Your thoughts on this issue are important and play a crucial role in the listing process. They will be carefully reviewed and considered. Please answer all of the questions in this book to the best of your ability. If you have additional comments, space has been provided for them as well. To ensure that your responses are considered, please return your completed workbook or any other comments you may have to the address below by April 1, 2006. Thank you for your help.

Mail

Species at Risk Coordination Office

Bedford Institute of Oceanography

Box 1006

1 Challenger Drive

Dartmouth, N.S. B2Y 4A2

Email

www.aquaticspeciesatrisk.gc.ca

www.cosewic.gc.ca

www.sararegistry.gc.ca

www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assigns a “status” to each species it considers. The status indicates the degree to which a species is at risk. Considered here are:

Extirpated: A species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere in the world

Endangered: A species facing imminent extinction or extirpation

Threatened: A species that is likely to become endangered if certain factors affecting it are not addressed

Special Concern: A species with biological characteristics that make it particularly vulnerable to human activity or certain natural phenomena

How is a Species Listed?

How Does SARA Protect a Species?

Immediately upon a species being added to the SARA List as extirpated, endangered, or threatened, it receives protection under SARA. It is then an offence to:

The only exceptions to these rules occur when the government issues specific authorizations for: scientific research about the conservation of the species done by a qualified person; an activity that benefits the species or enhances its chances of survival in the wild; or an activity whose effect on the listed species is incidental. In all cases, the activity must not jeopardize survival or recovery.

For species listed as special concern, prohibitions do not apply.

What Happens Next?

After a species is listed, the recovery process begins in an effort to reduce the causes of a species’ decline and to improve the status of the species. There are two parts to the process for extirpated, endangered or threatened species: a recovery strategy, which identifies threats to the species and describes recovery objectives, and an action plan, which details the activities that must be carried out to promote the species’ recovery. The process for species of special concern requires a management plan, which lists appropriate conservation measures for a species and its habitat. All of these documents are developed through extensive consultation with scientists, community members, aboriginal groups and community stakeholders. Then, the strategies and plans are published in the SARA Public Registry, and the public has 60 days to comment on them. Five years after the plans come into effect, the responsible government minister must report on their implementation and the progress that has been made in meeting the objectives they outlined.

Striped bass

The striped bass, Morone saxatilis is an anadromous species - meaning that it spawns in fresh water before moving downstream to brackish and salt water to feed and mature. It is dark olive green on the back with paler silvery sides and white on the belly. Running horizontally down the side, are 7 or 8 dark stripes.

It is found in estuaries and coastal waters along the east coast of North America from Florida to the St. Lawrence River where it reaches the northern extent of its range. Historically, spawning populations were found in 5 eastern Canadian rivers: the St. Lawrence Estuary, the Miramichi River in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Saint John, Shubenacadie, and Annapolis rivers in the Bay of Fundy. The only 2 rivers currently supporting spawning are the Miramichi and Shubenacadie where the two populations appear to be isolated and genetically distinct from one other.

Increasing water temperatures in the spring trigger the movement of striped bass to their spawning grounds in fresh or slightly brackish waters. Spawning (which can last up to 3 to 4 weeks for large spawning aggregations) takes place at twilight when temperatures rise above 10o C. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and a moderate current are critical components for survival of the eggs, which are suspended in the water column for 2 to 3 days before hatching. For larvae however, a further requirement of an abundant supply of zooplankton (minute organisms that live in the water column) is directly related to their survival rate. Striped bass remain at the larval stage for 35 to 50 days before they undergo a metamorphosis to their adult form at which point they are approximately 20 mm long.

Young-of-the-year move downstream over the summer where they continue to feed and grow in estuaries and coastal bays. Older fish migrate along the coast in search of prey, consisting largely of small fishes such as juvenile herring, smelt and tomcod. In the fall, striped bass move back upstream where they overwinter in brackish or fresh water, likely to avoid low ocean temperatures.

Striped bass are long lived reaching up to 30 years of age. Although they have been recorded at lengths up to 1.8 m, they rarely reach 1 m in Canadian waters. Males reach maturity sooner than females at roughly 3 years of age. Females mature at anywhere from 4 to 6 years of age. Adults are repeat spawners, with females producing between 50,000 and 1.5 million eggs.

COSEWIC provides the following rationale for designating a) the Bay of Fundy population of striped bass as threatened:

Repeated spawning failures led to the disappearance of the Annapolis and Saint John River populations. These disappearances are thought to be due to changes in flow regime and poor water quality. In the Shubenacadie River population, the presence of the introduced chain pickerel in overwintering sites may constitute a threat. Another threat to the population is bycatch from various commercial fisheries. The Bay of Fundy is also used by striped bass breeding in rivers in the United States. These fish were not assessed.

b) the Miramichi population as threatened:

This fish was once commercially important and is still highly prized by anglers. Threats include bycatch in various fisheries such as gaspereau, and rainbow smelt. Illegal take, particularly during ice fishing, is also believed to be a threat.

Threats to Striped Bass

The COSEWIC status report identifies overfishing and habitat alteration as contributing to the decline of striped bass populations. Although not fully understood, fishing appears to limit successive spawnings along with reducing the number of mature individuals. Congregations of striped bass overwintering in fresh water can also become vulnerable to poaching. Aquatic habitat changes through pollution and flow modifications at dams and barriers can increase mortality particularly at the egg and larval stages.

Bay of Fundy Population

The Annapolis River has shown no evidence of spawning or recruitment since 1976. Concerns are that agricultural pollution, pesticides or changes in pH have affected egg and larval survival. The construction of the Royal Annapolis Dam near the mouth of the river may also have altered incubation and rearing habitat, further affecting recruitment. A recreational fishery for striped bass is concentrated at the base of the dam in summer and fall.

The Saint John River has supported both a recreational and commercial fishery. The sport fishery is conducted all summer but mainly at Reversing Falls where abundance is influenced by migrants from US waters. A commercial fishery in Belleisle Bay was conducted in winter from 1930 to 1978 when it was determined that there was an absence of recruitment and the population was in decline. The last evidence of spawning was in 1979. Like the Annapolis River, alterations in rearing habitat due to dam construction (Mactaquac Dam built in 1967) and pollution may also have inhibited the survival of eggs and larvae.

The Shubenacadie River supports a relatively stable population of striped bass with spawning occurring in the Stewiacke River, a tributary of the Shubenacadie. Abundance estimates from a recreational fishery which takes place from April to June indicate a decline between 1950 and 1975. Early estimates from more recent tagging programs and beach seine surveys don’t indicate a further decline although these programs have not been in practise long enough to confirm the stability of the population. However, striped bass migrate to Grand Lake in winter where there is potential for them to be illegally taken in the ice fishery for smelt.

Miramichi Population

The only known spawning location for southern Gulf of St. Lawrence striped bass is the Northwest Miramichi River. Estimates of returning adults to the Northwest Miramichi have ranged between 3,400 and 50,000 between 1993 and 2002. Efforts to reduce mortality on this population were put into effect in 1996 with the closure of the commercial fishery, and again in 2000 with the closures of the aboriginal and recreational fisheries. Spawner estimates in the Northwest Miramichi have increased modestly since 2000 to an average of over 21,000 each year.

It is believed that mortality from illegal fishing, incidental captures in other fisheries, and a higher susceptibility to the environment at the northern limit of their range are limiting the rebuilding of this population.

Striped bass currently receive protection through section 32 of the federal Fisheries Act which prohibits the killing of fish by any means other than fishing and sections 34 to 42 which provide protection against the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat and the pollution of waters frequented by fish.

There are no commercial fisheries for striped bass in Maritime waters but they can be taken as bycatch in other commercial fisheries such as gaspereau and eel on inland waters or gillnet and trap/ weir fisheries along the coast. Management of the recreational fishery is through The Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (SOR/2001-452, s.28) under the Fisheries Act which provides for daily bag limits, gear and minimum length restrictions and seasonal closures. Recreational angling is permitted year round in the tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy and along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia. For inland waters, angling is permitted from April 15 to Sept. 30th in Nova Scotia and from May 1 to September 15 in New Brunswick except for those waters draining into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait where angling for striped bass is not permitted.

Once added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk, striped bass will be protected under SARA. If particular activities are assessed to be a threat to the survival and recovery of a listed species, management measures will be put in place to restrict those activities and ensure the protection of species at risk.

These measures may lead to a variety of impacts on stakeholders, including additional costs. The following list is not exhaustive; please use this consultation as an opportunity to list omissions.

Management strategies that could affect aboriginal people fishing for commercial species in areas inhabited by porbeagle may be considered.

It is important to fully determine the extent of potential threat to striped bass by any fishing activities. Once this species is listed, prohibitions will apply to fishing activities identified to be a threat to the survival and recovery of striped bass. Some level of bycatch may be allowed for fishing activities that take striped bass incidentally, but only if measures are taken to minimize the impact of the activity on this species and the bycatch level will not impede its recovery.

Development restrictions and other planning and management measures may be imposed on activities that could impair water quality or destroy habitat in striped bass spawning and rearing areas.

Restrictions and management measures may be imposed to limit recreational activities that may affect the survival and recovery of striped bass or the water quality of its habitat.

Those wishing to carry out research on striped bass or in areas of their habitat may be required to comply with strict guidelines. This may limit the types and/or durations of research permitted

on striped bass and may lengthen the preparation time required for planning research projects.

COSEWIC 2004. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the striped bass Morone saxatilis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 43 pp.

The government's decision on whether or not to list a species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) will be based on a full description and understanding of the costs and benefits of the impacts of protection and recovery on individuals, organizations, Aboriginal groups, industries, and Canadian society in general.

This survey form can be used to provide your opinions about listing striped bass under SARA. Comments are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds, whether you are engaged in activities that may be affected by striped bass conservation efforts or are a citizen with an interest in striped bass.

You should read the consultation workbook before completing these questions.

The consultation workbook survey asks you to answer a series of questions that require reflection about your views relating to the conservation and recovery of striped bass. There are a variety of question formats in this survey. There are also numerous opportunities for personal responses to further explain your views. If you would like to keep the introductory sections of this workbook, please feel free to detach this section and return only the survey.

Please return your workbook by April 1, 2006 to:

Species at Risk Coordination Office

Bedford Institute of Oceanography

P.O. Box 1006

1 Challenger Drive

Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2

Alternatively, you may email comments to XMARSARA@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The information that you provide is important! We very much appreciate the time and effort you take to complete this survey!

Your opinions about threats to striped bass for each population. You can provide your opinion for the population of your choice or for which you are more familiar.

Please indicate your opinion about how significant a threat this factor is to the striped bass population in Canadian waters.

Bay of Fundy Population Miramichi Population
Very Low Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor Very Low Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor
Directed fishing by recreational fishers
Bycatch in commercial fisheries for other anadromous species i.e. eel, gaspereau
Waterway alterations affecting spawning, incubation and rearing i.e. dam operations
Habitat changes affecting egg and larval survival eg. agricultural runoff, pesticides, pulp and paper activities
Reduction in adult spawners through illegal fishing
Other, please specify;

Your opinions about possible interventions to help striped bass conservation and recovery for each population. You can provide your opinion for the population of your choice or for which you are more familiar.

For each factor, please indicate what level of impact you think this measure will have on striped bass recovery.

Bay of Fundy Population Miramichi Population
Very Low Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor Very Low Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor
Close recreational fisheries for striped bass.
Conduct scientific research to better understand striped bass behaviour and distribution.
Close other fisheries when a specified amount of striped bass is landed as bycatch.
Increase awareness among recreational, commercial, and Aboriginal fishers about striped bass conservation.
Modify fishing gear in other fisheries so that less striped bass are caught.
Close identified striped bass spawning and rearing areas.
Limit illegal fishing with increased patrols from fishery officers.
Modify seasons in other fisheries to reduce striped bass bycatch
Monitor water management practices to limit potential for destruction of spawning habitat
Other, please specify:

Your opinion about the potential direct or indirect costs of striped bass conservation and recovery. You can provide your opinion for the population of your choice or for which you are more familiar.

Please choose an option that reflects your rating of the likely economic impacts (direct and indirect) of striped bass survival and recovery to this industry or group.

Bay of Fundy Population Miramichi Population
Negligible Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor Negligible Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor
Costs to recreational fishers.
Costs to commercial fishers directing for other anadromous species.
Costs to aboriginal fishers.
Costs to land owners/ industrial users i.e. forestry, agriculture, hydroelectric power
Costs to my personal household.
Costs to scientific researchers.
Other, please specify;

Your opinion about the potential benefits of striped bass conservation and recovery to Canadian society. You can provide your opinion for the population of your choice or for which you are more familiar.

Please choose an option that reflects your rating of the likely benefits (economic or social) of striped bass conservation and recovery to this industry or segment of society.

Bay of Fundy Population Miramichi Population
Negligible Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor Negligible Somewhat Low Moderate Somewhat High Very High I have no opinion on this factor
Benefits to Communities adjacent to waterways where striped bass are found
Benefits to Canadian Society as a Whole
Benefits to Aboriginal Groups
Benefits to the Scientific Community
Other, please specify;

Your opinion about other potential benefits of striped bass conservation and recovery. You can provide your opinion for the population of your choice or for which you are more familiar.

Please choose an option that reflects your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statements.

Bay of Fundy Population Miramichi Population
Strongly Disagree Somewhat Disagree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree I have no opinion on this impact Strongly Disagree Somewhat Disagree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree I have no opinion on this impact
I think that striped bass are valuable because they play an important role in maintaining healthy freshwater/marine ecosystems.
I think that striped bass will be valuable to future generations.
I think that many people in Canada value striped bass even though they may never personally see one.
Other, please specify;

Comments about the proposed listing status of striped bass

YES NO
Have you read the COSEWIC status report for striped bass?

Please choose an option that reflects your level of support for the Government of Canada listing striped bass as a threatened species under the Species at Risk Act.

Bay of Fundy Population Miramichi Population
I Strongly Disagree with listing striped bass as a threatened species
I Somewhat Disagree with listing striped bass as a threatened species
I Neither Agree nor Disagree with listing striped bass as a threatened species
I Somewhat Agree with listing striped bass as a threatened species
I Strongly Agree with listing striped bass as a threatened species

If you disagree with listing striped bass as a threatened species, could you please tell us why?

General Questions

1. If a legal listing will affect your activities, do you see these effects as a cost or benefit to you? In what way? Please consider the social costs and benefits as well as economic costs and benefits.

2. In the event that the species is listed, how can you as an individual, or your industry or organization as a group, participate in the recovery of this species? Give examples of particular activities, if you can.

Background information about you

What is Your Age Category?
< 20 Years
20-29 Years
30-39 Years
40-49 Years
50-59 Years
60-69 Years
> 70 Years
What is Your Gender?
Female
Male
In which sector are you employed?
Retired
Full-Time Homemaker
Student
Commercial Fishing/Processing
Farming
Forestry
Hydroelectric Power
Professional Services
Private Sector – Other
Academic
Federal Government
Provincial Government
Municipal Government
Non-Governmental Organization
I am Between Jobs
I am Employed in another Field
Where do you live?
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
Quebec
Ontario
Western Canada or Territories
Outside Canada but I am a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Outside Canada - I am not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident

If you participate in a recreational fishery for striped bass, please indicate in which area you fish

Bay of Fundy (Saint John, Annapolis, Shubenacadie Rivers)

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Miramichi River)

If you are completing this workbook as a representative of an organization, please indicate your name, the name of your organization and a contact address.

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