Eastern Sand Darter (Quebec population): Consultations on listing under the Species at Risk Act
Current status: Closed
Opened on February 14, 2024 and will close to new input on April 15, 2024.
Species at Risk Act (SARA) provides legal protection for wildlife species at risk to conserve biological diversity. It also acknowledges that all Canadians have a role to play in the conservation of wildlife species.
Before deciding whether Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) (Quebec population), will be added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk as Special Concern, we would like to hear your opinion, comments, and suggestions regarding the possible ecological, cultural, and economic impacts of listing or not listing this species under SARA.
Join in: How to participate
Share your ideas online
The Government of Canada is engaging with Canadians on whether Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) (Quebec population) should be added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk.
Please fill out the online survey. Thank you.
Key questions for discussion
Changing the status of a species on the List of Wildlife Species at Risk
The process of relisting a species under SARA consists of several steps:
- status reassessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
- public consultations to gather the opinions of Canadians
- Government of Canada decision on whether or not to add the species on the List of Wildlife Species at Risk
Facts about Eastern Sand Darter
Eastern Sand Darter is a small, translucent freshwater fish of a yellowish or silvery shade with a series of 10 to 14 dark spots (figure 1). These spots are usually located below the lateral line scale row. The spots are slightly smaller than the pupil and are frequently rounded anteriorly and oblong posteriorly. The median fins are not pigmented. The average total length of adults ranges from 46 mm to 71 mm.
Long description
Eastern Sand Darter is a benthic insectivore that is usually found on sandy substrates in watercourses (streams and rivers) and sandy shoals in lakes. The species is generally associated with shallow waters (depth of less than 1.5 m) where aquatic plants are absent. Eastern Sand Darter is located in the St. Lawrence River as well as 23 of its tributaries (figure 2).
Long description
Figure 2 is entitled “Distribution of Eastern Sand Darter in Quebec”. The map shows that the Eastern Sand Darter is present in the St. Lawrence River, from the Ontario border to Deschambault (red zone). Its distribution also extends into 23 tributaries of the St. Lawrence, including Richelieu River, Saint-François River and Missisquoi Bay. Map scale is 80 km (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, unpublished data).
Who assigned the new Special Concern status to Eastern Sand Darter?
In 2022, COSEWIC reassessed Eastern Sand Darter, Quebec population, as Special Concern. COSEWIC is an independent committee of experts that assesses which wildlife species are in some danger of disappearing from Canada and assigns a status to these species. It conducts its assessments based on the best available information including scientific data, local ecological knowledge, and Indigenous traditional knowledge. Under SARA, a Threatened species is defined as one that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. An Endangered species is one that is facing imminent extirpation or extinction. A species of Special Concern is one that may be become a threatened or endangered species if nothing is done to reverse the factors that are contributing to declining population trends.
Why is Eastern Sand Darter at risk?
COSEWIC has reassessed the Eastern Sand Darter, Quebec population, and designated it as Special Concern, because even though it is still susceptible to several threats (habitat alteration related to human activities, decrease in quantity and quality of habitats, presence of invasive species such as the Round Goby), it no longer meets the current definition of “severely fragmented.” Severe fragmentation means that most of the individuals of the species are found in small, relatively isolated subpopulations, which increases the risk of extinction. The species could nonetheless become threatened again if the threats to it are not reversed or are not managed effectively.
What would happen if the species were listed under SARA?
If Threatened status were maintained for Eastern Sand Darter, Quebec population, there would be no change in the prohibitions that apply under SARA, since the species is already listed and the prohibitions are already in effect. Under SARA, it is illegal to kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell, or trade Eastern Sand Darter. However, activities that may affect the species or its critical habitat may be permitted under SARA section 73-74, or exempt under section 83, if that activity does not jeopardize the survival or recovery of the species. The existing recovery strategy for Eastern Sand Darter will remain in effect for the Quebec population. The Recovery strategy and subsequent action plans will identify measures to address known threats. Critical habitat—habitat necessary for the survival and recovery of Eastern Sand Darter, has been identified in the existing Recovery strategy.
If Eastern Sand Darter, Quebec population, were reassessed as Special Concern, the SARA prohibitions would no longer apply. Fisheries and Oceans Canada should also prepare a SARA management plan for this population (to replace the existing recovery strategy) in order to prevent it from becoming Threatened or Endangered as a result of human activities.
Related information
Contact us
Species at Risk Program
Quebec Region
850, route de la Mer C.P. 1 000
Mont-Joli, QC G5H 3Z4
DFO.QUESARA-LEPQUE.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca