Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) Opeongo Lake large and small-bodied populations: consultation, 2022

As part of the consultation process, the Government of Canada would like to hear your opinion, comments, and suggestions regarding the possible ecological, cultural, and economic impacts of listing or not listing the Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), Opeongo Lake large-bodied (Designatable Unit (DU) 14) and small bodied populations (DU 13) as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Key questions for discussion

Adding a species to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk

The process of listing a species under SARA consists of several steps including:

1. status assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
2. public consultations to gather the opinions of Canadians
3. Government of Canada decision on whether or not to add a species to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk

About Lake Whitefish, Opeongo Lake large-bodied and small bodied populations

Lake Whitefish is a member of the sub-family Coregoninae, which are part of the salmonid family. In Lake Opeongo, in Ontario, a species pair can be found that includes a large-bodied form, which recent information suggests grows to an average length of 300 mm and reaches a maximum known age of 24 years, and a small bodied form that grows to an average length of 145 mm and reaches a maximum known age of 8 years.

Distribution

Lake Whitefish is broadly distributed throughout North America and various forms of species pairs occur in multiple lakes within Canada. The small and large-bodied populations that are being considered for listing (DUs 13 and 14) are found within Lake Opeongo (figure 2), which is the largest lake in Algonquin Provincial Park, located in Central Ontario.

Lake Whitefish consume prey items including zooplankton and benthic invertebrates such as larval aquatic insects. This species is primarily found in cold, deep water but may use depths ranging from 3 to 18 m. Spawning has been observed in nearshore areas over granite and rocky shoals. Young-of-the-year are believed to occupy shallower waters compared to adults.

Proposed SARA status: Threatened

The level of protection and recovery actions undertaken for a species listed under SARA depends on its assessed level of risk for extinction. In 2018, COSEWIC assessed Lake Whitefish large and small-bodied populations in Lake Opeongo as Threatened. Under SARA, a Threatened species means a wildlife species that is likely to become an Endangered species if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.

Why are the Lake Whitefish Opeongo large and small-bodied populations at risk?

Lake Whitefish Opeongo large and small-bodied populations are considered to occur as the result of local adaptation and as such they represent distinct components of Whitefish diversity as a whole. It is important to protect this significant species pair.

If a species is listed under SARA

If these large and small-bodied forms are listed as Threatened, the prohibitions under SARA would immediately come into effect in Canadian waters. It would be illegal to kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell, or trade individuals from these populations. Critical habitat (the habitat necessary for the survival and recovery of these forms) would need to be identified, to the extent possible, in a recovery strategy or action plan and protected from destruction.

Related information

• COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on Whitefish (Coregonus spp.): COSEWIC assessment and status report 2018
• Species at Risk Public Registry

Contact us

Species at Risk Program
Ontario and Prairie Region
867 Lakeshore Road
Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1
mail: fwisar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca