Atlantic Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus): consultation, 2019
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Information summary and survey for the consultations on adding the Atlantic Walrus to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk as Special Concern – Please provide your input by May 13, 2019.
Consultations: let your opinion be heard
As part of the consultation process, the Government of Canada would like to hear your comments on the potential impacts of listing the Atlantic Walrus, Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus High Arctic and Central-Low Arctic populations, as Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
Proposed Listing under Species at Risk Act: Special Concern
The Atlantic Walrus was previously assessed by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as Special Concern in 2006 when all of the eastern Arctic Walruses were treated as a single population. In 2017 the population was reassessed by COSEWIC as a species of Special Concern, but was split into a High Arctic population and a Central-Low Arctic population. Special Concern is the lowest level of risk category and indicates that this species is likely to become threatened or endangered if conservation measures are not implemented.
If the species is listed under the Species at Risk Act
The level of protection and recovery actions undertaken for a species listed under SARA depend on its assessed level of risk. Prohibitions to kill, harm, harass, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual do not apply to species of Special Concern. If the Atlantic Walrus is listed under SARA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in collaboration and consultation with stakeholders and partners, will use the best available information to develop a SARA management plan. A management plan developed under SARA sets population and distribution objectives, and proposes measures to address the threats to the species and its habitat.
About Atlantic Walrus
Walruses are large marine mammals. Males may reach 1100 kg and females 800 kg in weight. They may live over 35 years. The Atlantic Walrus is one of two extant subspecies, the other being the Pacific Walrus (O. r. divergens). The Atlantic Walrus hunts remain of great social and cultural significance, and the economic value of the meat and ivory is substantial. Ecologically, the Walrus is the only species in its genus and a key link in the Arctic food web between bivalve molluscs and humans.
Distribution
Walruses require large areas of shallow water that support a productive bivalve community, open water over feeding areas, and suitable ice or land nearby upon which to haul out. Atlantic Walruses occupy a large range but have a quite narrow ecological niche. They can travel long distances by swimming or by riding ice floes.
Threats to the species
Atlantic Walrus populations may be threatened by hunting activities, noise disturbance, and industrial development activities. Their ecological niche, seasonal distribution and haul-out behaviour make Walruses more vulnerable to known threats and environmental change. Human disturbances may cause Walruses to stampede, interfere with feeding, increase energy expenditures and stress levels, and impair thermoregulation. Disturbances may also cause Walruses to abandon their haul outs. Their ability to recolonize areas and to adapt to human disturbances is unknown.
Adding a species to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk
The process of listing a species under Canada’s SARA consists of several steps: it begins with a status assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and ends with a Government of Canada decision on whether or not to add a species to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Public consultations are conducted to gather the opinions of Canadians and are an important step in this process.
We would like to receive your comments on adding or not adding the Atlantic Walrus to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk under SARA designated as Special Concern.
A copy of the 2017 COSEWIC Status Report on the Atlantic Walrus and other information can be found on the SARA Registry.
References
For more information
Species at Risk Management Division
501 University Crescent
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6
FWISAR@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Your comments are important.
Thank you for completing this survey.