Table 2. Recovery plan
| Priority |
Recovery strategies |
Measures |
Threats |
| Conservation |
| High |
1. Reduce Rainbow smelt predation and competition. |
1.1. Conduct mass removals of rainbow smelt during the spawning season (in the spring).
1.2. Monitor the size of the smelt population.
1.3. Monitor the known and potential spawning grounds of the smelt. |
Introduction of invasive species |
| High |
2. Stock Lac des Écorces with spring ciscoes. |
2.1. Develop a reproductive and growth plan for the population.
2.2. Develop a reproduction method for fish farming.
2.3. Stock the lake with spring ciscoes.
2.4. Monitor spring ciscoes produced through artificial reproduction. |
All |
| Medium |
3. Restore or revegetate the Lac des Écorces shoreline. |
3.1. Monitor the prohibition on grass mowing along the first three metres of shoreline (municipal regulation).
3.2. Reduce shoreline encroachments such as wharves and boat launches.
3.3. Enforce Quebec's Protection Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains which requires that 10–15 metres of the shoreline be protected, depending on the slope. |
Shoreline degradation |
| Medium |
4. Reduce or prevent the introduction of organic matter and contaminants from septic systems. |
4.1. Update the database of septic systems in the vicinity of Lac des Écorces.
4.2. Monitor septic systems and follow up on compliance with the emptying regulations. |
Discharge of wastewater |
| Low |
5. Reduce or prevent the introduction of nutrients and organic matter from agricultural activities. |
5.1. Conduct inspections and monitor compliance. |
Erosion of agricultural land |
| Low |
6. Create a sanctuary population by introducing the Spring Cisco in another body of water, once the Lac des Écorces population has recovered. |
6.1. Develop a reproduction plan.
6.2. Identify the best body of water to receive the new spring cisco population (summertime thermal refuge, absence of rainbow smelt and impact on the species present).
6.3. Develop and implement a genetic reproduction plan.
6.4. Monitor the new population. |
All |
| Outreach |
| High |
8. Educate fishers on the introduction of invasive species. |
8.1. Target the clientele.
8.2. Develop outreach tools.
8.3. Develop a targeted outreach plan. |
Introduction of invasive species |
| Medium |
7. Educate citizens about the impact that wastewater has on water quality and the necessity of complying with the regulations governing septic systems. |
7.1. Develop a communications plan.
7.2. Design information leaflets and publish them in local newspapers.
7.3. Design information capsules and publish them on the Internet.
7.4. Promote existing and available information tools. |
Discharge of wastewater |
| Medium |
9. Educate all users about the necessity of protecting the shoreline. |
9.1. Develop a communications plan for municipalities, shoreline residents, farmers, contractors and stakeholders in the real estate field.
9.2. Design information leaflets and publish them in local newspapers.
9.3. Design information messages and publish them on the Internet.
9.4. Create and promote a list of available information tools.
9.5. Design and distribute an information kit for contractors.
9.6. Distribute information on shoreline vegetation stabilization techniques (with a view to increasing the number of protected shoreline areas). |
Shoreline degradation |
| Research and follow-up |
| High |
10. Monitor the Lac des Écorces spring cisco and rainbow smelt populations. |
10.1. Develop an acoustic inventory method.
10.2. Evaluate the size and make-up of the populations.
10.3. Study the ecology of the spring cisco population (reproduction rate, mortality rate, habitat and food supply). |
All |
| High |
11. Monitor the quality of the water in Lac des Écorces. |
11.1. Conduct general water quality monitoring.
11.2. Monitor the dissolved oxygen in the hypolimnion (4 seasons). |
Habitat degradation |
| Medium |
12. Conduct a study of the watershed. |
12.1. Conduct an inventory of land use.
12.2. Create a profile of the quality of Lac des Écorces tributaries. |
Habitat degradation |
| Low |
13. Verify the species range. |
13.1. Check for the presence of spring ciscoes in lakes within the same watershed. |
All |
