Summary: Socio-economic analysis of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) listing decision for Liard Hot Springs and Atlin Warm Springs Lake Chub

Region: Pacific  

Populations: Liard Hot Springs and Atlin Warm Springs Lake Chub

Scientific name: Couesius plumbeus

COSEWIC Status: Threatened

SARA Status: Under consideration

Context

The 2 populations, or designatable units (DUs), of Lake Chub were assessed in 2018 as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), initiating the current Species at Risk Act (SARA) listing process.

A socio-economic analysis (SEA) has been completed to inform the current SARA listing decision for these 2 DUs of Lake Chub. The SEA considers incremental costs and benefits relative to a baseline of activity that accounts for management measures in place, or known to be coming into force, in the absence of the proposed regulation (meaning, without versus with listing).

Baseline management and economic profiles

The management measures and economic activities that are currently on-going constitute the baseline scenario.

The 2 DUs of Lake Chub are managed by the Government of British Columbia (BC).  However, there are no commercial, recreational, or Food, Social, and Ceremonial fisheries for these DUs.

COSEWIC-assessed at-risk species are eligible for SARA funding until such time as a decision to not list is made. Currently, there is no SARA funding provided to these 2 DUs.

Management scenarios

‘List’ and ‘do not list’ management scenarios were developed as part of the current listing process. The SEA assesses the economic impacts of proposed and mandatory measures in each scenario relative to the baseline.

Under the ‘list’ scenario, the general prohibitions of SARA would come into effect. Individuals and their habitat would also continue to be managed and protected under existing legislation (Fisheries Act). SARA permits may be issued or exemptions from SARA prohibitions may be applied for research, management of aquatic invasive species, and other activities, provided the species’ survival and recovery are not jeopardized. A recovery strategy and action plan would be developed and reported on every 5 years or after 5 years, respectively. Critical habitat would also be identified and protected. DFO would work in collaboration with the Government of BC and First Nations to develop recovery documents. Activities supporting the listed DUs would remain eligible for Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR), Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP), Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR), and Canada-British Columbia Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) funding.

Under the ‘do not list’ scenario, there would be no change to the existing regulatory regime if both DUs are declined for listing. Incremental activities for these DUs are unlikely to be undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) if they are declined for listing, as the Government of BC is responsible for freshwater fisheries management in BC and species expertise sits outside DFO. There will be limited opportunities for DFO to work collaboratively with the Government of BC, First Nations, and others to recover the DUs and fill knowledge. Species declined for listing are ineligible for CNFASAR and Canada-BC MOU funding, and at a lower priority for grant and contribution programs like the HSP and AFSAR.

Costs of list and do not list scenarios

Under the ‘do not list’ management scenario, no incremental actions have been identified. Therefore, no costs are expected to result.

Under the ‘list’ management scenario, the costs of listing would mainly stem from the development and implementation of activities (meaning, education, awareness, stewardship, research, and monitoring) under the recovery strategy and action plan. These are expected to result in low costs for government.

Benefits of list and do not list scenarios 

Under the ‘do not list’ management scenario, no incremental actions have been identified. Therefore, no benefits are expected to result.

Under the ‘list’ management scenario, if the level of risk to the populations were to be reduced as a result of listing the DUs as threatened, there could be some incremental increase in Canadians’ non-use benefits associated with the species.

Summary

Under the ‘do not list’ scenario, there would be no incremental costs or benefits as no incremental actions have been identified. Under the ‘list’ scenario, costs are expected to be low. Should the activities implemented under a ‘list’ scenario improve the population of the DUs, benefits could accrue.

References

• COSEWIC. 2018. COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Lake Chub (Couesius plumbeus) in Canada 2018. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xiv + 50 pp. (Species at Risk Public Registry).
• DFO. 2021. Recovery Potential Assessment for Lake Chub (Couesius plumbeus), Liard Hot Springs and Atlin Warm Springs Populations. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2021/008.