Consultation Workbook on the Addition of Four Aquatic Species to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk
Please send your comments on this consultation to Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Central and Arctic Region at:
Or by regular mail comments should be sent to the following address:
Central and Arctic Region
SARA Coordinator
Freshwater Institute
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
501 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N6
To request for additional copies of the workbook, please call 1-866-715-7272
For more information on the Species at Risk Act, please visit the Public Registry at
For more information on species at risk, please visit Fisheries & Oceans Canada aquatic Species at Risk website:
http://www.aquaticspeciesatrisk.gc.ca
or
Environment Canada’s Species at Risk website:
http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca
Information on species at risk is also available on the website of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC):
Photo credits:
Bowhead Whale – Martha Holmes (BBC)
Carmine Shiner – Garold W. Sneegas
Beluga – Jack Orr (DFO)
Round pigtoe – Janice Smith Environment Canada
Wolffish – Andrew J. Martinez
Northern Riffleshell – Shawn Staton
Eastern Sand Darter – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Bigmouth Buffalo - © Joseph R. Tomelleri
Spotted Sucker - © Joseph R. Tomelleri
Pugnose Shiner – NYSDEC
Northern Madtom – © Joseph R. Tomelleri
Greenside Darter – NYSDEC
Blackstripe Topminnow – © Joseph R. Tomelleri
Spotted Gar - © Joseph R. Tomelleri
The Government of Canada proclaimed the Species at Risk Act (SARA) on June 5, 2003 as part of its strategy for the protection of wildlife species at risk. Attached to the Act is Schedule 1, the list of the species that receive protection under SARA, hereinafter referred to as the ‘SARA list’.
The existing SARA list reflects the 233 species the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) had assessed and found to be at risk at the time of the reintroduction of SARA (then known as Bill C-5), to the House of Commons on October 9th, 2002. Since that time, COSEWIC has assessed or reassessed additional species as being at risk, making them eligible for consideration for addition to the SARA list by the Minister of the Environment. Aquatic species are the subject of consultations being conducted by the Minister of Fisheries & Oceans Canada. This document deals with four aquatic species which occur in Ontario, the Prairie Provinces and the Arctic, under the jurisdiction of the Central and Arctic Region of Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO).
Newly eligible species occurring in parks are administered by the Parks Canada Agency, which was formerly under the authority of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and is now under the authority of the Minister of the Environment. Responsibility for those species (both terrestrial and aquatic) that occur within parks, is shared between the Parks Canada Agency and either Environment Canada or Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Reflecting government policy, SARA has been designed to ensure the persistence of Canadian wildlife species and the habitats that support them, while embracing Canadian values of participation. Public involvement is integral to the process of listing species as being at risk, as it is to the ultimate protection of Canadian wildlife. The best way to secure the survival of species at risk and their habitats is through the active participation of all those concerned. Your comments on this document will be given serious consideration.
Having received the COSEWIC assessment of the species’ status, the Minister of the Environment must recommend to the Governor in Council one of the following possible courses of action as set out in SARA:
- that the COSEWIC assessment be accepted and the species be added to the SARA list; or
- that the species not be added to the SARA list; or
- that the species be referred back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration.
The Government of Canada is obligated to take one of these actions within nine months of the Governor in Council having received the assessment from the Minister of the Environment.
COSEWIC bases its assessments solely on its evaluation of the biological status of each species. Consultation with Canadians regarding the potential impacts of the addition of each species to the SARA list will occur before the Minister of the Environment can arrive at informed decisions as to the appropriate course of action, in accordance with the options outlined above. Of particular interest in these discussions is the identification of the benefits and costs of adding or not adding each of the species to the SARA list, relative to the potential impacts on these species and on society of not adding them.
In this context, before the government makes decisions regarding the SARA list, Canadians will have the opportunity to express their views and concerns. This consultation allows those interested to contribute to the government decision-making process. Where applicable, Wildlife Management Boards will be consulted. Aboriginal people identified as being affected will have the opportunity to contribute to the process. Other members of the public that are either affected or interested will have the opportunity to provide their views. This includes, but is not limited to, industries, industry groups and resource users, landowners, land users and environmental non-government organizations.
Canadians are invited to comment on whether all or some of the species included in this document should be added to the SARA list. This document has been posted on the Public Registry. Affected Aboriginal people and other identified concerned groups will be contacted.
This document will be circulated to provincial and territorial jurisdictions, Wildlife Management Boards, federal departments and agencies. Notice will also be sent to recognized stakeholders, including environmental and industrial non-government organizations and individuals who have made their interests known to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Other audiences may be engaged directly through other forms of consultation.
The results of this public consultation are of great relevance to the entire process of listing species at risk. The comments received will be carefully reviewed and evaluated. They will then be documented in a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS). The RIAS is an integral part of the federal regulatory process and is published with all regulatory proposals in the Canada Gazette Part I.
Following initial consultations, a draft Order (an instrument that serves notice of a decision taken by the executive arm of government) proposing to list all or some of the newly assessed species under consideration will be prepared. This draft Order will be published along with the RIAS in the Canada Gazette Part I for a comment period. The Minister of the Environment will take into consideration comments and any additional information received, following publication in the Canada Gazette Part I. The Minister will then make a recommendation to the Governor in Council on whether to add certain species to the SARA list or to refer them back to COSEWIC. The final decision will be published in Canada Gazette Part II and on the Public Registry.
The Species at Risk Act strengthens and enhances the Government of Canada’s capacity to protect Canadian wildlife species, subspecies and distinct populations that are at risk of becoming Extinct or Extirpated. The Act applies only to species on the SARA list.
Openness and transparency, including public consultation, is required in making decisions about which species should be included on the SARA list. The process begins with the assessment of a species as being at risk by COSEWIC. Upon receipt of these assessments, the Minister of the Environment then has 90 days to report on how he or she intends to respond to the assessment and to the extent possible, provide timelines for action. The Minister will then make a recommendation to the Governor in Council on whether to add certain species to the SARA list or to refer them back to COSEWIC. Once a species is added to the SARA list, specific actions must be taken within specified time periods to help ensure that species’ protection and recovery.
COSEWIC comprises experts on wildlife species at risk. Their backgrounds are in the fields of biology, ecology, genetics, aboriginal traditional knowledge and other relevant fields and they come from various communities, including government, academia, Aboriginal organizations and non-government organizations.
Initially, COSEWIC commissions a status report for the evaluation of the conservation status of a species. To be accepted, status reports must be peer-reviewed and approved by a subcommittee of species specialists. In special circumstances assessments can be done on an emergency basis.
COSEWIC then meets to examine the status report, discuss the species and determine whether or not the species is at risk and if so, assess the level of risk.
For more information on COSEWIC visit:
The degree of risk to a species is categorized according to the terms Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern. A species is assessed by COSEWIC as Extirpated when it is no longer found in the wild in Canada but still exists elsewhere. It is Endangered if it is facing imminent extirpation or extinction. An assessment of Threatened means that the species is likely to become Endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. COSEWIC assesses a species as Special Concern if it may become a Threatened or Endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
The protection that comes into effect following the addition of a species to the SARA list depends upon the degree of risk assigned to the species, the type of species and where it occurs.
Under the Act, prohibitions protect individuals of Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species. These prohibitions make it an offence to kill, harm, harass, capture or take an individual of a species listed as Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened, or to damage or destroy the residence of one or more individuals of an Endangered or a Threatened species. The Act also makes it an offence to possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual of a species that is Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened or a part or derivative of one. These prohibitions came into force June 1st, 2004.
The focus of protection will be on those species for which the federal government has direct legal authority. The protection is in force for all listed birds protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and for listed aquatic species. The prohibitions also apply to all listed species on federal lands.
For all other listed Endangered, Threatened and Extirpated species, the provinces and territories have the responsibility to ensure that they receive adequate protection. Should species not be effectively protected, SARA has “safety-net” provisions that give the federal government the power to make an Order securing their protection. The federal government would consult with the jurisdiction concerned and the public before any safety-net provisions would be invoked.
Exceptions to these prohibitions may be authorized by the Minister of the Environment or the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. These ministers can enter into agreements or issue permits only for research relating to the conservation of a species that is conducted by qualified scientists, for activities that benefit a listed species or enhance its chances of survival, and for activities that incidentally affect a listed species. These exceptions can be made only when it is established that all reasonable alternatives have been considered and the best solution has been adopted, when all feasible measures will be taken to minimize the impact of the activity, and when the survival or recovery of the species will not be jeopardized.
The prohibitions of SARA for species listed as Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened will not apply to species of Special Concern; however any existing protections and prohibitions, such as those authorized by the Migratory Birds Convention Act or the Fisheries Act, continue to be in force.
The addition of an Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened species to the SARA list triggers the requirement for the preparation of a recovery strategy and action plan which will be the subject of separate consultations.
Recovery strategies will be completed and made available on the SARA Public Registry to allow for public review and comment, within one year for newly listed Endangered and within two years for Threatened and Extirpated species.
Recovery strategies will address the known threats to the species and its habitat. They will identify areas where more research is needed and population objectives that will help ensure the species’ survival or recovery and will include a statement of the timeframe. Recovery strategies and action plans will identify, to the extent possible, the critical habitat of the species. Action plans will include measures to address threats, help the species recover and protect critical habitat. Measures to implement the recovery strategy will also be identified in the action plan.
Recovery strategies and action plans will be prepared in cooperation with Wildlife Management Boards and aboriginal organizations directly affected by them and with the jurisdictions responsible for the management of the species. Landowners and other stakeholders directly affected by the recovery strategy will also be consulted.
For species of Special Concern, management plans will be prepared and made available on the Public Registry within three years of their addition to the SARA list, allowing for public review and comment. Management plans will include appropriate conservation measures for the species and for its habitat.
Management plans will be prepared in cooperation with jurisdictions responsible for the management of the species, including directly affected Wildlife Management Boards and aboriginal organizations. Landowners, lessees and others directly affected by a management plan will also be consulted.
The four aquatic species include the Lake Winnipeg Physa snail, channel darter, shortjaw cisco, and Atlantic cod (Arctic population). They have been assessed or reassessed by COSEWIC as species at risk and are being considered for addition to the SARA list.
Please e-mail your comments to Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Central and Arctic Region at:
by no later than the 15th November, 2004, or by regular mail, please address comments to:
Central and Arctic Region
SARA Coordinator
Freshwater Institute
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
501 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N6
Your comments will be reviewed and used to consider whether or not to place each species on the SARA list.
1. Lake Winnipeg Physa snail (Physa sp.)
Status:
Endangered
Last Examination by COSEWIC:
November 2002
Distribution and Biology:
The Lake Winnipeg Physa snail is endemic to Canada and its distribution is confined to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. There are currently five extant populations occurring in the following localities; (1) Fisher River Indian Reserve, (2) Pebble Beach, (3) Camp Morton, (4) Dunnottar and (5) Sunset Beach. Distribution is fragmented. Biology is unknown.
COSEWIC Reason for Designation:
Population of this Canadian endemic are confined to Lake Winnipeg where there are continuing declines in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy and extent of habitat due to habitat alteration, human disturbances and quality of habitat. Evidence suggests that nutrients and contaminants from sewage lagoons, industries, waste storage facilities and/or landfills are contributing to the declines.
Potential Protective Measures and Impacts:
Legal listing of the Lake Winnipeg Physa snail will invoke the prohibition provisions of SARA. Over the longer term, potential measures may result in management measures that impact on individuals, businesses, and governments.
Examples of potential protective measures may include:
- Measures to change land and water use activities - these range from the activities of individuals (i.e. recreation users, cottage owners, etc.) to those of commercial entities (i.e. forestry, farming, etc.).
- Strict guidelines may be established for those who wish to carry out research on the species or in areas of their critical habitat.
- More research may be carried out on potential threats to the species and the level of impact of various human activities, especially more research on impacts of lake eutrophication and shoreline alteration.
- More research may be carried out on areas of critical habitat for the species (the process of identifying critical habitat for endangered species is still in the initial stages).
These broad ranges of measures have the potential to impact First Nations activities, cottage owners, recreational users and other industries.
It should be noted that the recovery planning process will involve further consultation.
Freshwater Fish
1. Channel Darter (Percina copelandi)
Status:
Threatened
Last Examination by COSEWIC:
May 2002
Distribution and Biology:
The channel darter, Percina copelandi (Jordan, 1877), is a small benthic species of the perch family. This fish is light sand or olive-coloured with brown speckles on its back. X-shaped markings are scattered over its dorsal surface. A dark spot or bar may be present beneath the eye and extend onto the snout. There are 8-18 brown oblong blotches along the lateral line linked by a thin brown line. Adults are commonly 40 mm in total length. Although the channel darter is uncommon in Canada, disjunct populations can be found in Ontario and Quebec. In Ontario, specimens were found in the tributaries to Lake Ontario and along the shores and tributaries of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. In Quebec, specimens of channel darter were captured in the tributaries of the St. Lawrence River in the regions of Chaudière-Appalaches, Estrie, Lanaudière, Mauricie-Bois Francs, Montérégie and the Outaouais.
COSEWIC Reason for Designation:
This species exists in low numbers where found, and its habitat is impacted by siltation and fluctuations in water temperature.
Potential Protective Measures and Impacts:
Legal listing of the channel darter will invoke the prohibition provisions of SARA. Over the longer term, potential measures may result in management measures and identification of critical habitat that may impact individuals, businesses, and governments.
Examples of potential protective measures may include:
- Measures to change land and water use activities – these range from the activities of individuals (i.e. gardening, farming, recreation, etc.) to those of commercial entities (i.e. urban development, farming, ranching, etc.).
- Measures to improve water quality (i.e. reducing suspended solids and nutrients) and control the timing of water flows into tributaries, aquifers, lakes and rivers.
It should be noted that the recovery planning process will involve further consultation.
2. Shortjaw Cisco (Coregonus zenithicus)
Status:
Threatened
Last Examination by COSEWIC:
May 2003
Distribution and Biology:
The shortjaw cisco is a member of a taxonomically complicated group of closely related ciscoes. Historically, the shortjaw cisco was once an important component of the “chub” fishery on the Great Lakes as well as the “tullibee” fishery on Lake Winnipeg. The species is now believed to be extirpated from the Great Lakes where it occurred, except Lake Superior where it is currently scarce. The species has also been documented from a number of other lakes including Lake Attawapiskat , Basswood Lake, Big Trout Lake, Deer Lake, Lake Nipigon, Lac Seul, Lake of the Woods, Lake Saganaga, Loonhaunt Lake, Sandy Lake, Sandybeach Lake, and White Partridge Lake from Ontario; Lake Athapapuskow , George Lake, Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipegosis from Manitoba; Lake Athabasca, Lac la Ronge and Reindeer Lake from Saskatchewan; Barrow Lake from Alberta; and Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories.
What little is known of the life history of the shortjaw cisco generally originates from the Great Lakes. The species occurs in deep water generally occupying depths of 55m to 144m. Growth is characterized as rapid during the first year followed by slower growth in subsequent years. Maximum lengths attained are in the range of 350mm for males and 370mm for females. Sexual maturity is believed to occur by the fifth or sixth year. Spawning occurs over a clay bottom where the eggs are abandoned. A 300mm female may produce as many as 20,000 eggs. Freshwater shrimp, planktonic crustaceans and insect larvae are the primary food items of adult fish. Little is known of the early life history for the species.
COSEWIC Reason for Designation:
This species has been extirpated from Lakes Huron and Lake Erie and is in decline in Lake Superior and Great Slave Lake. It is still present in Lake Nipigon and numerous smaller lakes where its status is not well known. Threats include fishing, introduction of exotics and climate change.
Potential Protective Measures and Impacts:
Legal listing of the shortjaw cisco will invoke the prohibition provisions of SARA. Potential measures could include:
- Reduction or curtailment of fishing activities if they are deemed to be detrimental to the recovery of the species.
- Monitoring of fisheries catch and by-catch to determine current and/or allowable levels of harvest.
- Issuance of permits to allow incidental harvest at prescribed rates.
- More research directed at better understanding of the taxonomy, life history and habitat requirements of the species.
- Continued support for broad based ecosystem and watershed initiatives that will contribute to the recovery of the species.
- Development of stewardship initiatives that would involve stakeholders in recovery efforts.
- Continued support for educational awareness programs to inform the public and stakeholders about the shortjaw cisco.
- Development of recommendations to fisheries management agencies to promote site-specific recovery efforts.
Ultimately some measures may have the potential to impact on commercial, domestic and sport fisheries along with industries or developments that have the potential to adversely affect the species or its habitat.
Any individuals or organizations that may require one-on-one consultations should identify that need in Part III of this workbook.
A recovery strategy, currently under development for the shortjaw cisco, will address any issues that may relate to these provisions. A recovery strategy will also identify measures to further the recovery of the species and will involve further consultations.
It should be noted that the recovery planning process will involve further consultation.
SPECIAL CONCERN
Marine Fish
1. Atlantic Cod (Arctic population) (Gadus morhua)
Status:
Special Concern
Last Examination by COSEWIC:
May 2003
Distribution and Biology:
Arctic populations of the Atlantic cod are confined to a few coastal salt lakes on southeast Baffin Island. Populations are confirmed or thought to exist in only seven lakes. These populations exhibit extreme slow growth and late sexual maturity making them sensitive to exploitation or disturbance.
COSEWIC Reason for Designation:
Cod in the Arctic occur mostly in a few coastal salt lakes, and numbers of adults may be no more than a few thousand. Uncertainty with respect to the actual number of locales and populations makes it difficult to assign a higher status, but the known populations are sensitive to human activities. Poorly regulated fishing is a potential threat.
Potential Protective Measures and Impacts:
Automatic prohibition provisions of SARA do not apply to species of Special Concern
A management plan may include the following protective measures:
- Restricting recreational fishing in areas where the species is known to occur.
- Restricting gear type used in the commercial fishery in areas where the species is known to occur
- Strict guidelines may be established for those who wish to carry out research on the species or in areas or their critical habitat
- More research may be carried out on potential threats to the species and the level of impact of various human activities
It should be noted that the management planning process will involve further consultation.
Questionnaire
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Affiliation: ___________________________________________________________________
Species of Interest: ____________________________________________________________
1a) Based on what you have learned about the Species at Risk Act, do you think the listing of the species of interest to you would affect your activities? How?
b) If a legal listing will affect your activities, do you see these effects as a cost or benefit to you? In what way?
c) For you, would the costs or benefits of a legal listing change over time? If so, how would they change and do you have any suggestions on how to minimize the impacts?
d) Over the next 5 years what do you think are the most important social and economic indicators that government should monitor?
2) In order to be truly effective, the recovery of species at risk must be a cooperative process that includes organizations and individuals with knowledge of these species and the threats is faces. How can relevant parties be included in the recovery of the species?
3) How can you as an individual, or your industry or organization as a group, participate in the recovery of the species? Give examples of particular activities, if you can.
4) Are you in favour of the Government of Canada listing the following species under the Species at Risk Act?
a. Lake Winnipeg Physa snail Yes____ No____
Why?
b. Channel darter Yes____ No____
Why?
c. Shortjaw Cisco Yes____ No____
Why?
d. Atlantic cod (Arctic population) Yes____ No____
Why?
5) Please add any other comments or concerns (include additional sheets, if necessary).
PLEASE SEND COMMENTS BY Tuesday November 15, 2004
Aquatic Invasion Species:
Species which are not native to North America.
COSEWIC:
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. The committee comprises experts on wildlife species at risk. Their backgrounds are in the fields of biology, ecology genetics and other relevant fields such as aboriginal traditional knowledge. These experts come from various communities, including among others, governments and academia.
Disjunct populations:
populations which are separate to the degree that there is no genetic exchange occurring between them.
Endemic species:
a species occurring naturally only in one region.
Fragmentation:
the division of larger areas of natural habitat into smaller ones separated by a different (usually modified) habitat.
Governor in Council:
The Governor General of Canada acting on the advice of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada (i.e. Cabinet)
Order:
Order in Council (OIC). An instrument that serves notice of decision taken by the executive arm of government, for example, an Order in Council accompanies all regulations.
Privy Council Office (PCO):
PCO assists the Clerk of the Privy Council Office in providing professional, non-partisan support to the Prime Minister in his or her role as head of government on all policy and operational issues. For more on the Privy Council Office, visit: http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/.
RENEW (Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife in Canada):
the national recovery program established under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk.
RIAS:
An analysis of the expected impact of each regulatory initiative must be done. The results of this analysis are summarized in a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS). The RIAS is, in effect, a public accounting of the need for each regulation in terms of this policy.
SARA list:
Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA); the list of the species that receive protection under SARA.
Page details
- Date modified: