COSEWIC Annual Report 2004

1. Table of Contents
2. Appendix I
3. Appendix II
4. Appendix III
5. Appendix IV
6. Appendix V
7. Appendix VI
8. Appendix VII
9. Appendix VIII
10. Summary Tables
11. COSEWIC Assessment Results
12. COSEWIC Assessment Results (continue)
13. COSEWIC Assessment Results (continue)
14. Record of Status Reassessments
15. Record of Status Reassessments (Continue)
16. Record of Status Reassessments (Continue)
17. Record of Name Changes
18. COSEWIC

Table of Contents

COMMITTEE ON THE COMITÉ SUR LA SITUATION
STATUS OF ENDANGERED DES ESPÈCES EN PÉRIL
WILDLIFE IN CANADA AU CANADA

July 19, 2004

The Honourable David Anderson
Minister of the Environment and co-chair of the Canadian
Endangered Species Conservation Council
Government of Canada
OTTAWA ON K1A 0H3

Dear Minister Anderson:

The 2004 Annual Report to the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC) from the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is respectfully submitted to you and CESCC in accordance with the requirements under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

This report includes a summary of all activities undertaken by COSEWIC over the past year (Section 26 of SARA).

This report provides the names, justifications and biosketches of members whom COSEWIC recommends for your appointment effective January 1, 2005 (Section 16 of SARA).

Also included for your consideration is a list of the species status assessments (with reasons) from the November 2003 and May 2004 Species Assessment Meetings (Section 25 of SARA).

In addition, this report includes for your approval, documents outlining significant COSEWIC operations and procedures changes.

This report also contains a copy of the May 2004 publication "Canadian Species at Risk" which provides a complete list of wildlife species assessed by COSEWIC since its inception (Section 25 of SARA).

Yours sincerely,


Marco Festa-Bianchet
Chair of COSEWIC

1. SPECIES ASSESSMENT MEETING - FALL

Date: November 24-28, 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Attendance
Members - 42 members/alternates
Secretariat Staff - 8
Observers - 13 (2 from WWF-Canada, 2 from Canadian Wildlife Federation, 2 students McGill University,1 from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1 from Fisheries & Oceans Canada and 5 from the Canadian Wildlife Service).
Regrets - 2 members/alternates (Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan)

At the first meeting of COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) since the passage of SARA (Species At Risk Act), the committee members reviewed the conservation status of 23 species.

2. SPECIES ASSESSMENT MEETING - SPRING

Date: May 3-7, 2004
Location: Bird Studies Canada, Port Rowan, Ontario
Attendance
Members - 41 members/alternates
Secretariat Staff - 7
Observers - 30 (1 from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1 from the Department of Natural Resources, New Brunswick, 1 from Fisheries & Oceans Canada, 1 from Parks Canada, 1 from the COSEWIC Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee, 2 from Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Region, 1 from the Canadian Wildlife Service Headquarters, 3 from World Wildlife Fund Canada, 12 from Bird Studies Canada, 5 from McGill University, 1 from Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, 1 from Norfolk Field Naturalists)

Regrets - 2 members/alternates (Canadian Museum of Nature and Saskatchewan)

Teleconference
Six Wildlife Management Boards participated in a teleconference with COSEWIC to discuss the draft proposal for working together that was developed from discussions at the meeting and workshop held in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory in April, 2003. The decisions arrived at during the teleconference have been incorporated into the COSEWIC Operations and Procedures Manual.

3. SUMMARY OF SPECIES ASSESSMENT MEETINGS (NOVEMBER & MAY)

During the last year, COSEWIC met twice (in November 2003 and in May 2004) to assess or reassess the status of 59 species, subspecies and populations. The species assessment results include the following:

Endangered: Horned Lark strigata subspecies, Northern Bobwhite, White Sturgeon, Sand Verbena Moth, Butternut, Dwarf Woolly-heads, Slender Collomia, Small-flowered Tonella, Beluga Whale (Eastern Hudson Bay population and Ungava Bay population), Peary Caribou, Red Crossbill perca subspecies, Prairie Skink, Spotted Turtle, Small-mouthed Salamander, Porbeagle Shark, Round Pigtoe, Bog Bird's-foot Trefoil, Dwarf Sandwort, Pink Sand-verbena, Rosy Owl-clover, Stoloniferous Pussytoes.
Threatened: Short-tailed Albatross, Dakota Skipper, Powesheik Skipperling, Branched Bartonia, Dwarf Hackberry, Porsild's Bryum, Beluga Whale (St. Lawrence Estuary population and Cumberland Sound population), Plains Bison, Loggerhead Shrike excubitorides subspecies, Pink-footed Shearwater, Western Rattlesnake, Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster, Victorin's Gentian, Flooded Jellyskin.
Special Concern: Harbour Porpoise, Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel , Steller Sea Lion, Barren-ground Caribou (Dolphin and Union population), Beluga Whale (Western Hudson Bay population and Eastern High Arctic - Baffin Bay population), Grey Whale, Spotted Bat, Yellow Lampmussel, Eastern Lilaeopsis, New Jersey Rush, Victorin's Water-hemlock, Columbian Carpet Moss, Twisted Oak Moss.

As of May, 2004, the COSEWIC list of Canadian Species at Risk comprises 456 species in various categories, including 169 endangered species, 114 threatened speces and 140 species of special concern. In addition, 21 species are extirpated (no longer existing in the wild in Canada) and 12 are extinct.

Note: There are now twelve species from SARA's Schedule 2 left to be reassessed by June, 2006.

Appendix l (COSEWIC Press Releases from the two Assessment meetings)

• Draft of the Terms of Reference for the ATK Subcommittee - reviewed and approved (Note: Awaiting endorsement by National Aboriginal Organizations).
• Prioritization process for candidate lists of species - developed.
• Designatable units - final document approved by COSEWIC and now included in the Operations & Procedures Manual
• Application for Species Assessment and submission of unsolicited Species Status Reports - guidelines and template recommended
• Schedule 2 species reassessment deadlines - confirmation that these will be respected
• Identifying and reporting uncertainties in species status assessment - draft approach discussed and approved.

4. ANNUAL SPECIES SPECIALIST SUBCOMMITTEES MEETINGS

Amphibians & Reptiles Specialist Subcommittee
November 8, 2003
Holiday Inn, Guelph, Ontario
Members: 9 including 2 co-chairs
Secretariat: 1
Observers: 4 students
Summary of key discussion items: membership; technical summaries; draft atlas of British Columbia amphibians and reptiles; five species status evaluations and recommendations; candidate list species; suggestion for future symposium and workshop COSEWIC on species ranges and mapping ranges.

Arthropods Specialist Subcommittee (Lepidopterans)
July 28-29, 2003
Biological Sciences Building, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Members: 9 including co-chair
Secretariat: 1
Observers: 2 (David Duncan, Canadian Wildlife Service, Prairie & Northern Region and Gregory Pohl, Natural Resources Canada)
Summary of key discussion items: The proposed split of the Lepidopterans and Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee and the formation and possible functioning of the Arthropods Specialist Subcommittee; Subcommittee members and conflict of interest; guidelines for determining designatable units and revised instructions for writers of status reports; updates on three species; priority list of species for commissioning status reports; interim status report on two species and status recommendations for these species; and the prioritization scheme for butterflies.

Birds Specialist Subcommittee
September 6-7, 2003
Naramata Centre, Naramata, British Columbia
Members: 6 including 2 co-chairs
Secretariat: 1
Observers: 0

Summary of key discussion items: Seven species status reports and editorial changes; Candidate list was reviewed; Upcoming changes in membership

Freshwater Fishes Specialist Subcommittee
September 13-14, 2003
Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Members: 8 including 2 co-chairs
Secretariat: 1
Observers: 0
Summary of key discussion items: review of report schedule, Operations & Procedures Manual update review; three species status evaluations with recommendations; candidate list; improving quality of status reports; possible species name change; membership; template for SSC reviews; ecoregions map and intellectual property issues re potential report writers.
Amphibians & Reptiles Specialist Subcommittee
Summary of Discussion Items:

Marine Fishes Specialist Subcommittee
September 13-14, 2003
Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Members: 9 including co-chairs
Secretariat: 1
Observers: 1 from Huntsman Marine Science Centre
Summary of key discussion items: Information to be included in reports and the convention to use, a hands-on workshop to examine statistical approaches applied to scientific survey data, specific examples based on winter skate and porbeagle of how the program RAMAS Redlist could be applied to marine fish species; a detailed update on designatable units in Pacific salmon; continued progress on our Pacific candidate list which resulted in dropping 29 species and adding 13; General Status exercise led by the Department of Fisheries & Oceans identified as helpful in this matter; Status was suggested for two species; discussion of reports on four deepwater species was deferred in favour of the hands-on workshop pending resolution of some statistical issues in these reports; progress on another species report was also discussed.

Marine Mammals Specialist Subcommittee
October 4-5, 2003
Navigator Inn, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Members: 7 including 2 co-chairs
COSEWIC Secretariat: 2
Observers: 7 (2 from Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Iqaluit; 3 from the Quikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board, Nunavut; 1 from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and 1 community member, Iqaluit)
Summary of key discussion items: The meeting began with a public session from 9:00-12:00. Presentations were made by Hal Whitehead and Andrew Trites on COSEWIC's mandates, the Species at Risk Act, the role of the SSC, the assessment process, status designations and emergency assessments. Presentations were also made by Joannie Ikkidluak and Abraham Kaunak about the Wildlife Board, and by Gloria Goulet on the use of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge by COSEWIC. Translations greatly aided the question and answer periods.

Six species status reports were reviewed and discussed in detail. The status of three outstanding species reports was also reviewed.

Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee
October 17-18, 2003
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Members: 7 including 1 co-chair
Secretariat: 1
Observers: 7 (3 from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
1 from Nova Scotia Natural Resources (member of COSEWIC), 1 Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax, 1 New Brunswick Museum, 1 Co-chair of the Recovery Team (Atlantic Whitefish) and member of the Recovery Team (Blanding's Turtle)

Summary of key discussion items: The public forum part of the meeting was held in the morning of the 17th and was attended by seven observers. During the public forum, Dr. Buster Welch, who retired from the Subcommittee, was thanked for his valuable contribution to the Molluscs Group for several years and was presented with a plaque in recognition of his work. Presentations were given to the public by Gerry Mackie explaining the work of COSEWIC and by Janice Smith on the work of the National General Status Working Group and particularly her work as Coordinator for Freshwater Mussels. Standard quantitative and qualitative sampling methods for aquatic and terrestrial molluscs were discussed and a motion was passed to provide references to published methodologies to all report writers when reports are first commissioned. Dr. Eva Pip and Dr. Stuart Harris are currently writing up standard sampling methods for freshwater gastropods. Changes to the "Operations & Procedures Manual" and to the "Instructions for Report Writers" were discussed with reference to the needs of the mollusc Species Specialist Subcommittee.

During the closed session part of the meeting, the Mollusc SSC reviewed the prioritization and candidate lists. A list of potential report writers will be generated and given to the Secretariat so the writers may be notified when calls are posted on COSEWIC's web site. Six draft status reports were discussion and status recommendations were provided.

Plants & Lichens Specialist Subcommittee
October 18-19, 2003
Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario
Members: 14 including 2 co-chairs
Secretariat : 2
Observers : 0
Summary of key discussion items: Candidate Lists; Mosses and Liverworts; Lichens; Macro Algae; Standardization of Names; Status Report Content; Fragmentation; Twenty-four Vascular Plant draft reports and eight moss reports were reviewed and recommendations given.

Terrestrial Mammals Specialist Subcommittee
November 21, 2003
Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto, Ontario
Members: 7 including 2 co-chairs
Secretariat: 1
Observers: 1 (Nunavut Wildlife Management Board via teleconference)
Summary of key discussion items: Membership on the Species Specialist Subcommittee; status recommendations for species to be assessed at the November 2003 and May 2004 COSEWIC meetings and progress on status reports in preparation.

Following procedures set out in the Operations & Procedures Manual, a nominating committee was struck, chaired by Jeff Hutchings. Marco Festa-Bianchet's name was submitted for renewal as chair of COSEWIC. There were no other nominees and Marco was voted in as chair of COSEWIC for a further two-year term effective May 7, 2004.

Membership Changes

For Information:

See Appendix Il for a list of current and proposed members.

For Approval:

a) Members from jurisdictions (Provincial /Territorial/Federal) -

At the Spring, 2004 meeting of COSEWIC, the chair reminded members from jurisdictions that CESCC members have to notify the Chair of COSEWIC by July 1, 2004 of the name of any new member or alternate to be submitted to the Minister of the Environment for appointment after consulting with the CESCC.
A curriculum vitae for each nominee will be on record with the COSEWIC Secretariat.

b) Non-government members and Co-chairs of Species Specialist Subcommittees - New /Renewed Members were selected as a result of a January 2004 public call for members. Justifications and biosketches are herein provided for the following nominees submitted for consideration and review by CESCC and subsequent appointment by the Minister of the Environment effective January 1, 2005:

Non-government Member - Dr. Jeff Hutchings

Co-chair, Amphibians & Reptiles Specialist Subcommittee - Dr. David Green
Co-chair, Arthropods Specialist Subcommittee - Dr. Paul Catling
Co-chair, Arthropods Specialist Subcommittee - Dr. Theresa Fowler*
Co-chair, Birds Specialist Subcommittee - Richard (Dick) Cannings
Co-chair, Marine Mammals Specialist Subcommittee - Dr. Randall Reeves
Co-chair, Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee - Janice Smith

* - All memberships are for a four year term with the exception of Dr. Theresa Fowler who was recommended for renewal for two years so that in future, both co-chairs' positions are not vacated at the same time.

See Appendix III (Biosketches).

Suggested Term Limits for Co-chairs

Co-chairs (and non-government members) that have completed two consecutive terms beginning with their ministerial appointments are encouraged to consider not applying for a third term. When a co-chair (or a non-government member) has completed three consecutive terms, the Chair of COSEWIC will advise the selection committee to particularly consider other qualified candidates that may apply for that position.

Decision making procedure during meetings

Species assessments when consensus is not easily and quickly reached will no longer be automatically deferred to a second round of deliberations. Individual discussions will carry on until the assessment has been completed.

Voting

When consensus is not reached, all votes will now be conducted electronically, such that each member's ballot is secret. Previously, voting was by show of hands except when a secret vote was requested and agreed to.

Instructions for the Preparation of COSEWIC Status Reports

Extensive revisions to this document continued into February 2004, after which the document was posted on the COSEWIC website together with COSEWIC's Call for Bids to prepare COSEWIC status reports.

Involvement of Wildlife Management Boards

Wildlife Management Boards will be invited as observers to
Species Specialist Subcommittee meetings.
Relevant Wildlife Management Boards will be invited to participate as non-voting members during emergency assessment determinations.
Wildlife Management Boards will be invited to participate in the teleconference with The Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee following each Species Assessment Meeting.

Summary - Documents Recommended for Approval

Appendix IV - Terms of Reference: COSEWIC Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Subcommittee
Appendix V - Assessment Process, Categories and Guidelines
Appendix VI - Applications for Species Assessment and Unsolicited Species Status Reports

List of Species assessed since the last reporting indicating status assigned, reasons (including uncertainties where applicable and COSEWIC Criteria (with alphanumeric codes.

See Appendix VII

List of status reports available on the Public Registry - www.sararegistry.gc.ca in English and French.

Herein provided is the May 2004 COSEWIC List of Canadian Species at Risk. This publication is available on the Public Registry.

See Appendix VIII (enclosed)

Appendix I

Ottawa, November 28, 2003

At the first meeting of COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) since the passage of SARA (Species At Risk Act), the committee members reviewed the conservation status of 23 species.

The Steller Sea Lion was designated as a species of Special Concern because of the small number of breeding sites, as well as its susceptibility to human disturbance and oil spills. This species occurs on islands off the coast of British Columbia. In the past, Steller Sea Lion populations were reduced by intensive culls intended to reduce predation on fish. These programmes were discontinued in the 1950s, and populations now show some increase. One breeding group in British Columbia was driven to extinction and overall populations remain below historic levels (early 1900s). Steller Sea Lions are threatened or endangered elsewhere in their range (United States and Russia).

The White Sturgeon, the largest freshwater fish in Canada, was designated as Endangered. In Canada, this species only occurs in British Columbia where several populations are in decline. The great scarcity of fish younger than 30-40 years in most rivers suggests that few young are surviving. Long life span and small populations make White Sturgeon extremely vulnerable to any harvest and habitat degradation such as caused by dams. An additional threat to this species is the black market demand for their meat and roe (caviar).

On the Prairies, two species of butterflies (the Dakota Skipper and the Poweshiek Skipperling) were designated as Threatened. Both species depend on remnant prairie habitats and are threatened by prescribed burns, fragmentation of their grassland habitats and the timing of haying.

Butternut, a relatively short-lived tree occurring in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, was designated as Endangered. Butternut produces edible nuts and is of special importance to many Aboriginal Peoples. The tree is widespread and infrequent but is widely impacted by an exotic disease (the Butternut Canker) that is spreading rapidly.

"In this meeting, we examined four status reports on species for which COSEWIC concluded that the information was not sufficient to assign status. More resources must be invested in the study of Canada's flora and fauna to provide decision makers and planners with adequate information for effective conservation" said Dr. Marco Festa-Bianchet, Chair of COSEWIC.

Limitations imposed by a lack of information have important repercussions for assessment. For example, in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the rare Squat Duskysnail is known from a small number of scattered localities and was considered to be Data Deficient. Little is known about how widespread it is or the numbers of these snails in Canadian streams and lakes.

In coastal British Columbia, Keen's Long-eared Bat has a wide range but may depend on old growth forest. The bat is rarely recorded and difficult to sample. Lack of information about its population size and the difficulty of identifying this species led to its designation as Data Deficient.

There are now 441 species in various COSEWIC risk categories, including 160 Endangered, 108 Threatened, and 140 of Special Concern. In addition, 21 species are Extirpated (no longer found in the wild in Canada), 12 are Extinct, and 32 are Data Deficient.

COSEWIC's assessments will be forwarded to the federal Minister of the Environment and will form the basis for inclusion in the legal list of species at risk under the Species at Risk Act.

COSEWIC assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biosystematics Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-jurisdictional members and the co-chairs of the species specialist and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittees.

Definition of COSEWIC terms and risk categories

Species: Any indigenous species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of wild fauna and flora.

Extinct: A species that no longer exists.
Extirpated: A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
Endangered: A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened: A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
Special Concern: A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.
Not at Risk: A species that has been evaluated and found not to be at risk.
Data Deficient: A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.

For further information, contact:

Dr. Marco Festa-Bianchet Chair, COSEWIC

General inquiries: COSEWIC Secretariat (819) 953-3215

For inquiries on the Steller Sea Lion:
Dr. Andrew Trites
Co-chair, Marine Mammals Specialist
Subcommittee
(604) 822-8181
(604) 318-6357
trites@zoology.ubc.ca

For inquiries on the White Sturgeon:
Dr. Robert Campbell
Co-chair, Freshwater Fishes Specialist Subcommittee
(613) 987-5367
racambel@cyberus.ca

For inquires on the butterflies:
Dr. Theresa Fowler
Co-chair, Arthropods Specialist Subcommittee
(819) 953-6402
Theresa.aniskowicz@ec.gc.ca

For inquiries on the Butternut:
Dr. Erich Haber
Co-chair, Plants and Lichens Specialist Subcommittee
(613) 722-5523
erich.haber@rogers.com

For inquiries on the Squat Duskysnail:
Dr. Gerald Mackie
Co-chair, Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee
(519) 824-4120 ext. 3505
gmackie@uoguelph.ca

For inquiries on the Keen's Long-eared Bat:
Dr. Brock Fenton
Co-chair, Terrestrial Mammals Specialist Subcommittee
(416) 736-2100 ext.22664
bfenton@yorku.ca

Further details on the species assessed, and the reasons behind each designation, can be found on the COSEWIC website at:
www.cosewic.gc.ca

Port Rowan, Ontario, May 7, 2004

In the heart of Canada's biologically diverse Carolinian zone, home to over a hundred species at risk, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) met to assess the conservation status of 36 wildlife species.

One of the Carolinian species considered was the Round Pigtoe. This freshwater mussel that is now found only in Lake St.Clair, and three other Southwestern Ontario watersheds, is endangered by the exotic invasive Zebra Mussel, and by deteriorating water quality. There are now eight mussel species considered Endangered in Southern Ontario.

Two northern mammals, the Beluga Whale and the Peary Caribou, were among the better known species reviewed. Of seven populations of Beluga Whales, only that in the Beaufort Sea is now considered not to be at risk of extinction. Historical overhunting and, for some populations, current unsustainable harvesting, are believed to be the most significant threats. Other threats include contamination and habitat degradation. The endangered Peary Caribou continues to decline possibly due to changes in the Arctic climate. This decline has continued despite voluntary restrictions on hunting by northern residents.

The first shark ever to be assessed by COSEWIC, the Porbeagle, was designated as Endangered. The Porbeagle has declined by an estimated 90% since the 1960's, and the main threat appears to come from overfishing. Although quotas have been reduced and breeding areas closed to fishing under the current management plan, the Porbeagle's life history characteristics, including late maturity and low birth rate, render this species particularly vulnerable to over-exploitation.

Several plant species found only in Canada are also deemed to be at risk, including the Gulf of St.Lawrence Aster and Victorin's Gentian, both assessed as Threatened. COSEWIC noted that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose a threat to seven of the twelve plant species they considered at this meeting. ATVs can cause soil erosion and directly destroy plants.
COSEWIC assessed the status of the Plains Bison, an animal that was once a major component of Canada's prairie ecosystem where it numbered in the millions. Fewer than one thousand free-ranging Plains Bison occur in Canada today. "Let's learn from this tragedy, and redouble our efforts to protect species at risk and their habitats" said Marco Festa-Bianchet, chair of COSEWIC.

Other species assessed included the Prairie Skink, Spotted Turtle, Stoloniferous Pussytoes, Pink-footed Shearwater, Western Rattlesnake, Grey Whale and Spotted Bat.

There are now 456 species in various COSEWIC risk categories, including 169 Endangered, 114 Threatened, and 140 of Special Concern. In addition, 21 species are Extirpated (no longer found in the wild in Canada), 12 are Extinct, and 33 are Data Deficient.

COSEWIC's assessments will be forwarded to the federal Minister of the Environment and will form the basis for inclusion in the legal list of species at risk under the Species at Risk Act.

COSEWIC assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biosystematics Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-jurisdictional members and the co-chairs of the species specialist and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittees.

COSEWIC is very grateful to Bird Studies Canada for providing facilities and logistical support for this meeting.

Definition of COSEWIC terms and risk categories

Species: Any indigenous species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of wild fauna and flora.

Extinct: A species that no longer exists.
Extirpated: A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
Endangered: A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened: A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
Special Concern: A species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Not at Risk: A species that has been evaluated and found not to be at risk.
Data Deficient: A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.

For further information, contact:

For general inquiries and for inquiries on Peary Caribou: Dr. Marco Festa-Bianchet Chair, COSEWIC (613) 296-1937 (819) 821-8000 ext. 2061

General inquiries: COSEWIC Secretariat (819) 953-3215

For inquiries on the Porbeagle Shark:
Dr. Richard Haedrich
Co-chair, Marine Fishes Specialist Subcommittee
(802)649-3028

For inquiries on the Beluga:
Dr. Andrew Trites
Co-chair, Marine Mammals Specialist
Subcommittee
(604) 318-6357
(604) 822-8183
trites@zoology.ubc.ca

For inquiries on the Round Pigtoe:
Dr. Gerald Mackie
Co-chair, Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee
(519) 824-4120 ext. 53505
gmackie@uoguelph.ca

For inquiries on the Gulf of St.Lawrence Aster and Victorin's Gentian:
Dr. Erich Haber
Co-chair, Plants and Lichens Specialist Subcommittee
(613) 722-5523
erich.haber@rogers.com

Further details on all species assessed, and the reasons behind each designation, can be found on the COSEWIC website at:
www.cosewic.gc.ca

Appendix II

(* Names of new members provided to COSEWIC in 2004 are indicated in bold.)

*New/renewed Co-chairs on COSEWIC as of January 2005

*New/renewed Non-government members on COSEWIC as of January 2005

Appendix III

Dr. Hutchings received a Ph. D. from Memorial University in 1991 and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh and at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in St. John's. He became a faculty member at Dalhousie University in 1995 and is currently a full Professor. Dr. Hutchings has compiled an impressive record of research focussing on the conservation of marine fishes and the ecology of gadid and salmonid fishes. Dr. Hutchings has published over 80 publications in the peer-reviewed literature including sentinel publications on exploited marine species, and is well known for communicating this science to Canadian Society. Dr. Hutchings also authored the 2003 COSEWIC status report on Atlantic Cod.

Dr. Hutchings has considerable knowledge and experience with respect to the biology and management of Canadian marine, anadromous and freshwater fishes. He is most knowledgeable regarding Atlantic Canadian marine and freshwater environments and freshwater environments in Ontario. Dr. Hutchings has been a member of the COSEWIC Marine Fishes SSC since 1997 and has been a Non-government Member of COSEWIC since 2001. This has given him a strong foundation in species assessment and in formulating recommendations with respect to biological status. Dr. Hutchings has also published several peer-reviewed papers addressing the application of the IUCN criteria which have been adopted by COSEWIC.

Dr. Hutchings has broad experience as an editor for scientific journals and also has a proven record of working well collaboratively as a member of various panels and advisory committees in addition to his work on COSEWIC. He has successfully supervised eight graduate students and is currently supervising seven graduate students at the Ph. D. and M. Sc. level.

Dr. David M. Green received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Guelph in 1982. He is an Associate Professor at McGill University and Curator of Terrestrial Vertebrates at the Redpath Museum with over 90 peer-reviewed publications on amphibians. He has supervised or is currently supervising 13 graduate students doing projects on amphibians and reptiles (5 M.Sc., 3 Ph.D. graduated; 3 M.Sc., 2 Ph.D. ongoing). He is past Chair of COSEWIC (1998-2002), a Co-chair of the Amphibians and Reptiles Subcommittee since 1995 and a member of the Amphibians and Reptiles Subcommittee since 1985.

Dr. B. Theresa Fowler:
Current Position, Degrees and Biological Science Background since 1995, Scientific Authority, Endangered Species, Species at Risk Branch,
Canadian Wildlife Service
PhD, Ottawa, on behavioural ecology of Tamias striatus
3 years experience, behavioural ecology of marsh birds (Rallus limicola, Porzana carolina,
Exobrychus exilis)
5 years experience arctic ecosystems ( Lagopus mutus, Lepus arcticus)
56 papers and publications including government documents and presentations to legislators, popular conservation and nature literature, 2 journal articles and 2 book chapters

Other relevant experience (conservation biology, taxonomy, ecology, genetics, population biology etc)
8 years as Director of Canadian Nature Federation
broad interest in all taxa

Geographic Areas/Taxa
small mammals and birds, Quebec, Ontario and High Arctic
broad knowledge of flora and fauna of North America

Determining Biological Status of Species
17 years as a member of COSEWIC
initiated and assembelled the molluscs and Lepidoptera Subcommittee for COSEWIC
since 2003, Co-Chair Arthropoda Species Specialist Group

Knowledge of Concepts and Techniques Related to Assessment and Conservation of Species at Risk
works daily with issues regarding Species at Risk

Editorial Roles, Manuscripts, Journals
periodic role as reviewer for journal articles
review of 4 natural history book manuscripts and 11 post publication book reviews
accomplished reviewer and editor of COSEWIC status reports for Lepidoptera and Mollusca
edits many documents in daily work
Other
knows English, French, and Polish with experience as a translator of scientific texts

Dr. Paul M. Catling:
Current Position, Degrees and Biological Science Background
since 1991, classified as Research Scientist, Level 3, Biological Resources Division of Agriculture Canada, 24 years experience with the Biosystematics Research Center/Biological Resources as a plant systematist, ecologist and curator of plant collections;
PhD, Toronto, on systematics and ecology of plants
14 years on the faculty of University of Ottawa
about 50 publications on odonates and lepidoptera , including books, book chapters, refereed journal articles and government documents, and over 300 botany publications

Other relevant experience (conservation biology, taxonomy, ecology, genetics, population biology etc)
7 years experience gathering data on the distribution of dragonflies in Canada including extensive Ontario work and some in NWT
serves on many advisory committees ( Canadian Expert Committee on Plant Genetic Resources, Species Survival Commission, Nature Conservancy)

Geographic Areas/ Taxa
odonates of Canada, most provinces, especially Ontario and NWT
lepidoptera of Ontario
expert knowledge of flora of Canada
publications in ornithology (10), mycology(1), herpetology(6)

Determining Biological Status of Species
prepared status reports on some Ontario lepidoptera and a COSEWIC status report on the goldenseal
participated in status ranking of plants and insects in Ontario and odonates in NWT

Knowledge of Concepts and Techniques Related to Assessment and Conservation of SAR
has wide experience in studying rare flora and fauna and rare habitats such as alvars and grasslands; has identified streams where rare odonates are found for possible protection measures
involved in 4 recovery teams including the team for the butterfly, bog elfin and the goldenseal; prepared monitoring plans, and publicizes recovery team approaches

Editorial Roles, Manuscripts, Journals,
assesses over 100 manuscripts, grant applications and theses per annum
associate editor of Canadian Field Naturalist, and the journal "Biodiversity"
currently editing conference proceedings

Richard Cannings:

M.Sc. (1977) from Memorial University of Newfoundland -- breeding ecology of Horned Larks

B.Sc. (1975) from the University of B.C. -- homing behaviour in deer mice and Townsend's voles

Extensive (provincial, national and international) education and work experience (25 years) covering many aspects of conservation biology, systematics, population biology and genetics, and wildlife management

Curator of the Cowan Vertebrate Museum in the Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia (1980 to 1995) -- considerable experience in systematics and taxonomy of all terrestrial vertebrate groups-birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians

Consulting biologist in conservation biology, particularly regarding the flora and fauna of British Columbia

Completed (1996) a comprehensive treatment of all BC avian taxa called Birds of British Columbia: A Taxonomic Catalogue

Chair and report author of the South Okanagan Ecosystem Recovery Team (Habitat Atlas for Wildlife at Risk-South Okanagan & Lower Similkamee) -included habitat assessments, habitat mapping and GIS work, reintroduction of extirpated species, estimating minimum viable populations and minimum habitat requirements, working with local community groups and First Nations and implementing outreach and stewardship programs

Current research interests include the breeding biology of small owls, but I have a broad expertise in owl biology and have published a review of owl biology in the Handbook of Birds of the World (volume 5)

Good knowledge of the odonate (dragonfly) fauna of western Canada, and to a lesser extent, other insect groups (butterflies, true bugs)

Familiar with the flora of British Columbia, the Yukon and Newfoundland

Author of 8 COSEWIC status reports (including three updates) on five bird species and one amphibian

Author of reports on the provincial status of eight bird species in British Columbia., as well as Identified Wildlife reports (status and management recommendations) for three birds, seven butterflies and two dragonflies in British Columbia

Co-chair of the Birds Species Specialist Committee of COSEWIC (2001 to present). Member of RENEW recovery teams for White-headed Woodpecker, Sage Thrasher, Yellow-breasted Chat and Western Screech-Owl

Regular reviewer of articles and books for scientific journals, including the Auk, Condor and the Journal of Raptor Research

Dr. Randall R. Reeves:
B.A. - University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
M.P.A. - Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Ph.D. - McGill University, Montreal

Dr. Reeves has been a self-employed researcher and writer since 1976, during which time he has compiled an impressive record of quality scientific work and of leadership in the conservation of marine mammals. Dr. Reeves has served on a number of national and international committees, most notably the Cetacean Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union or IUCN (of which he has been chair since 1997), as well as the various incarnations of the COSEWIC subcommittee devoted to marine mammals (1990 to present). He is the author or co-author of over 200 scientific or popular articles on marine mammals and is co-author or co-editor of several books and special issues of scientific journals. His writings include both technical and general treatment of the ecology of marine mammals, reviews of human impact on marine mammal populations (e.g. historic catches, live- capture and trade, offshore drilling), technical guides, workshop summaries, species status reports and conservation/management plans and guidelines. Dr. Reeves has conducted fieldwork at sites that span continents, including the Eastern Canadian Arctic and the North Atlantic, and is therefore well placed to address the status of Atlantic or Arctic species, as specified in our call for applicants. In short, Dr. Reeves has an impressive track record across the range of targeted skills, from strong science, to collaboration, to production of quality reports, and would therefore be an excellent choice as Co-Chair of the Marine Mammal Species Specialist Subcommittee.

Janice L. Smith:
Research Biologist, Cumulative Impacts on Aquatic Biodiversity Project, Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts Research Branch, National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario
B.Sc. (First Class Honours) in Zoology, University of Manitoba, 1973.
M.Sc. equivalency, University of Waterloo, 1990

She is an excellent researcher with wide publishing and editing experience, is a known team player in the conservation area (recovery teams, Mollusc and Lepidoptera SSC for many years, co-led part of the General Status assessment of mollusks), and is a recognized authority on an important group of Canadian critters (Ontario mollusks). She has been instrumental in bringing the conservation problems of this otherwise rather obscure group into the mainstream and in getting them recognized as an indicator species for freshwater conservation problems generally.

NOTE: Curricula vitae for all nominees and current members are on file with the COSEWIC Secretariat.

19 March, 2004

Appendix IV

19 March, 2004

COSEWIC uses the best available scientific, Aboriginal traditional and community knowledge to assess species at risk. The Species at Risk Act (Section 18(1)) requires that COSEWIC establish an Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee.

Purpose

The Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Subcommittee (the ATK Subcommittee) facilitates access to the best available Aboriginal traditional knowledge and the incorporation of that knowledge into the COSEWIC species status assessment and classification processes.

Guiding Principles

The ATK Subcommittee is guided in carrying out its functions by the following principles. Subject to the terms of self-government and land claims agreements, Aboriginal communities are presumed to be the primary bodies to facilitate access to Aboriginal traditional knowledge in the assessment and classification of species at risk. Access is subject to local laws, protocols and practices. Permission to use Aboriginal traditional knowledge in the assessment and classification of species at risk must be secured from the holders of such knowledge. Aboriginal traditional knowledge used in the assessment and classification of species at risk is to be treated as public knowledge only with the approval of the holders of such knowledge. It is to be organized and presented in a culturally-appropriate, timely and thorough manner, and - to the extent possible - in such a way as to be comprehensible by both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal persons.

Functions

The functions of the ATK Subcommittee are:

• To facilitate access to the best available Aboriginal traditional knowledge and the incorporation of that knowledge in the assessment and classification of species at risk;
• To facilitate and, where necessary, participate - through reliance upon local holders of Aboriginal traditional knowledge - in the gathering of Aboriginal traditional knowledge in the assessment and classification of species at risk;
• To commission Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Reviews, as needed, which collect and present Aboriginal traditional knowledge concerning eligible candidate species, and receive unsolicited Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge reviews;
• To work jointly with other COSEWIC subcommittees to:

• develop a candidate list of species for potential assessment by COSEWIC,

• develop and maintain the COSEWIC species priority list;

• commission Species Status Reports; and

• review unsolicited Status Reports

• To facilitate the delivery of the best available Aboriginal traditional knowledge on the status of a species under consideration by COSEWIC to the commissioned writer(s) of a Species Status Report;
• To review and advise on the adequacy of the Aboriginal traditional knowledge content of draft, interim and final Species Status Reports, and provide recommendations concerning the status assessments of particular species; and
• To promote a wider understanding of the nature and the benefits of Aboriginal traditional knowledge concerning the assessment and classification of species at risk.

Structure

Members

The ATK Subcommittee is composed of Aboriginal people experienced in Aboriginal traditional knowledge. The subcommittee normally has at least nine members. All members are appointed by the Minister of the Environment on the basis of their experience concerning Aboriginal traditional knowledge after consultation with any Aboriginal organizations he or she considers appropriate. Each member is appointed during good behavior for a term of four years. A member may be re-appointed, and shall only be removed for cause.

The duties of Members are to:

• perform their duties in an independent manner;
• attend ATK Subcommittee meetings;
• review draft and interim status reports and contribute to status assessment deliberations to the best of their knowledge and ability;
• advise writers of status reports and ATK reviews of appropriate guidelines established for the gathering and recording of Aboriginal traditional knowledge, as well as known sources of information and appropriate contacts, suggest species for the priority list and for status reports, review drafts and interim reports, and provide regional expertise on the status of, and threats to species;
• participate as members of ATK Review Teams, as necessary;
• provide additional and specific expertise as required to support the work of the ATK Subcommittee; and
• participate on other COSEWIC Subcommittees and working groups, as requested by the Chair of COSEWIC.

Co-Chairpersons

The members select, from among the membership, two ATK Subcommittee Co-Chairpersons. Initially, one Co-Chairperson serves a term of two years, and the other a term of four years. Thereafter, both Co-Chairpersons serve staggered four-year terms. A Co-Chairperson may be re-appointed, and shall only be removed by the members for cause, after consultation with COSEWIC.

One ATK Subcommittee Co-Chairperson sits as a member of COSEWIC. The other Co-Chairperson is the alternate ATK Subcommittee member of COSEWIC.

The duties of the Co-Chairs are to:

• serve as spokespersons for the subcommittee to COSEWIC;
• manage the affairs of the subcommittee, including the conducting of meetings;
• participate as members of COSEWIC;
• exercise their discretion in an independent manner; and
• participate on the Co-chairs Subcommittee of COSEWIC.

Operation

Meetings

The ATK subcommittee develops it own operations and procedures, under the authority of COSEWIC.

The person chairing an ATK Subcommittee meeting ensures that the meeting proceeds in an orderly fashion, maintaining COSEWIC's fundamental principles of independence, transparency and integrity.

The ATK Subcommittee attempts to make all decisions on the basis of consensus. Where consensus is not achievable, decisions are decided by a vote. All members except the person chairing the meeting has one vote on all matters. This person votes only in order to break a tie.

The presence of two-thirds of the ATK Subcommittee constitutes a quorum at meetings of the ATK Subcommittee. However, a decision or status recommendation related to the assessment of a species ordinarily requires input of a member from the area providing the most significant habitat for the species, or - if no such member has been appointed - of a member of an Aboriginal People traditionally associated with the species.

At the discretion of the ATK Subcommittee Co-Chairs, observers may attend ATK Subcommittee meetings in whole or in part. Sensitive or personal information may be discussed in camera as requested by Subcommittee members.

Reporting

The ATK Subcommittee:

• provides to COSEWIC copies of its Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Reviews and unsolicited Aboriginal traditional knowledge reviews. At the request of the ATK subcommittee, COSEWIC provides these documents to relevant authorities, including NACOSAR and wildlife management boards.
• reports to COSEWIC on the adequacy of the Aboriginal traditional knowledge content of draft, interim and final Species Status Reports.
• provides COSEWIC with recommendations concerning the status assessments of species discussed in Species Status Reports.
• provides an Annual Report of its activities to COSEWIC, which COSEWIC will make available on request.
• All formal reports, advice and decisions of the ATK Subcommittee are provided in writing.

ATK Review Teams

Where a species is identified by the ATK Subcommittee or by COSEWIC as requiring an assessment that includes the best available Aboriginal traditional knowledge, the ATK Subcommittee may establish an ATK Review Team to provide it with relevant advice. The ATK Review Team is composed of Aboriginal traditional knowledge holders with specific expertise concerning that species and a member from the ATK Subcommittee who is responsible for reporting to the ATK Subcommittee.

ATK Database and Reviews

The ATK Subcommittee commissions ATK reviews on species requiring an assessment, via COSEWIC's procedure for commissioning reports.

Subject to relevant privacy and intellectual property rights and Aboriginal protocols, the ATK Subcommittee maintains a database and audio and video library on Aboriginal traditional knowledge resulting from the ATK Reviews or other work of the Subcommittee.

Network of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge-holders

The ATK Subcommittee will assemble a network of Aboriginal traditional knowledge-holders and related experts covering the various Ecozones in Canada. The ATK Subcommittee will rely upon those persons:

• to participate as members of ATK Review Teams; or
• to provide additional and specific expertise as required to support the work of the ATK Subcommittee.

Members of this network are selected by the ATK Subcommittee and are not members of COSEWIC. Their mandate and term are specified by the ATK Subcommittee.

Support

As outlined in the Terms of Reference of COSEWIC, the COSEWIC Secretariat provides necessary administrative and technical support to the ATK Subcommittee. The ATK Subcommittee directs to the COSEWIC Secretariat any request for a copy of a Committee report, recommendation or other non-confidential document.

Review and Amendment

These Terms of Reference may be reviewed and changed by the ATK Subcommittee and COSEWIC by agreement.

Appendix V

Table 1. Determining eligibility of species for status assessment.

A) Taxonomic validity

COSEWIC would normally only consider species and subspecies or varieties that have been established as valid in published taxonomic works or in peer reviewed communications from taxonomic specialists. COSEWIC would not normally consider other designatable units unless they can be shown to be genetically distinct, separated by a major range disjunction, or biogeographically distinct (refer to Guidelines for Designatable Units Below the Species Level, Appendix F5). Justification for considering designatable units below the species level must be provided.

B) Native species

COSEWIC would normally only consider native species. A native species is a wild species that occurs in Canada naturally, or that has expanded its range into Canada without human intervention from a region where it naturally occurred, has produced viable populations, and has persisted in Canada for at least 50 years.

C) Regularity of occurrence

COSEWIC would normally only consider species which occur regularly in Canada, excluding vagrants.

D) Requires habitat in Canada

COSEWIC considers species that are year-round residents in Canada. COSEWIC also considers a species which, although not a full time residents in Canada, meet the other eligibility criteria and require habitat in Canada for a key life history stage.

E) Special cases

Notwithstanding the above guidelines, a taxon may be considered eligible if there are clear conservation reasons for consideration (for example high risk of extinction). In particular, a species which does not meet the eligibility criteria but which is at risk in its primary range outside of Canada could be considered for designation.

Reasons for considering a special case must be presented and supporting information must be provided; this should normally be reviewed and agreed to by COSEWIC before a status report is prepared.

Table 2. COSEWIC quantitative criteria and guidelines for the status assessment of species.

a) direct observation
b) an index of abundance appropriate for the taxon
c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat
d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridisation, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites

Special Concern:

those species that are particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events but are not endangered or threatened species.

Species may be classified as being of Special Concern if:

(a) the species has declined to a level of abundance at which its persistence is increasingly threatened by genetic, demographic or environmental stochasticity, but the decline is not sufficient to qualify the species as Threatened; or
(b) the species is likely to become Threatened if factors suspected of negatively influencing the persistence of the species are neither reversed nor managed with demonstrable effectiveness; or
(c) the species is near to qualifying, under any criterion, for Threatened status; or
(d) the species qualifies for Threatened status but there is clear indication of rescue effect from extra-limital populations.

Examples of reasons why a species may qualify for "Special Concern":

• A species that is particularly susceptible to a catastrophic event (e.g., a seabird population near an oil tanker route)
• A species with very restricted habitat or food requirements for which a threat to that habitat or food supply has been identified (e.g., a bird that forages primarily in old-growth forest, a plant that grows primarily on undisturbed sand dunes, a fish that spawns primarily in estuaries, a snake that feeds primarily on a crayfish whose habitat is threatened by siltation
• A recovering species no longer considered to be Threatened or Endangered but not yet clearly secure

Examples of reasons why a species may not qualify for "Special Concern":

• A species existing at low density in the absence of recognized threat (e.g., a large predatory animal defending a large home range or territory)
• A species existing at low density that does not qualify for Threatened status for which there is a clear indication of rescue effect

Guidelines for use of Extirpated

A species may be assessed as extinct or extirpated from Canada if:

• there exists no remaining habitat for the species and there have been no records of the species despite recent surveys, or
• 50 years have passed since the last credible record of the species, despite surveys in the interim, or
• there is sufficient information to document that no individuals of the species remain alive.

Guidelines for use of Data Deficient

Data Deficient should be used for cases where the status report has fully investigated all best available information yet that information is insufficient to: a) satisfy any criteria or assign any status, or b) resolve the species' eligibility for assessment.

Examples:

• Records of occurrence are too infrequent or too widespread to make any conclusions about extent of occurrence, population size, threats, or trends.
• Surveys to verify occurrences, when undertaken, have not been sufficiently intensive or extensive or have not been conducted at the appropriate time of the year or under suitable conditions to ensure the reliability of the conclusions drawn from the data gathered.
• The species' occurrence in Canada cannot be confirmed or denied with assurance.

Data Deficient should not be used if: a) the choice between two status designations is difficult to resolve by COSEWIC, or b) the status report is inadequate and has not fully investigated all best available information (in which case the report should be rejected), or c) the information available is minimally sufficient to assign status but inadequate for recovery planning or other such use.

Table 3. Guidelines for modifying status assessment based on rescue effect.

Species whose geographic range extends beyond that of the COSEWIC unit being designated (e.g. across an international boundary or into another Population of National Significance within Canada) are first assessed at the regional level (i.e., the unit being designated) using the quantitative criteria in Table 2. The potential for "rescue" is then considered. The rescue effect is the immigration of gametes or individuals that have a high probability of reproducing successfully, such that extirpation or decline of a population, or some other Designatable Unit, can be mitigated. If the potential for rescue is high, the risk of extirpation may be reduced, and the status may be downgraded. COSEWIC addresses this by applying the following guidelines developed by IUCN for this purpose (Gardenfors et al. 1999 ).

Table 4: Policy for modifying status assessment based on quantitative criteria

COSEWIC, IUCN and other groups recognize the need for additional assessment tools. Specifically, there is a need to consider life history variation amongst species and other taxa. COSEWIC has developed the following guideline:

In addition to the quantitative guidelines, COSEWIC will base its assessment on the degree to which various life-history characteristics (e.g., age & size at maturity, dispersal strategy, longevity) affect extinction probability and the likelihood that the species is vulnerable to the Allee effects of density dependence.

All else being equal:

• species with delayed age at maturity tend to be at greater risk of extinction than species with early age at maturity
• for indeterminately growing organisms (species that continue to grow after attaining maturity), larger species tend to be at greater risk of extinction than smaller species
• species with low dispersal tend to be at greater risk of extinction than species with high dispersal
• species with non-overlapping generations tend to be at greater risk of extinction than species with overlapping generations.

Table 5. COSEWIC status categories.

Extinct (X) A wildlife species that no longer exists.
Extirpated (XT) A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
Endangered (E) A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened (T) A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
Special Concern (SC) A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Data Deficient (DD) A wildlife species for which there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.
Not At Risk (NAR) A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.

[1] IUCN 2001. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Prepared by the IUCN Species

Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

Appendix VI

All of COSEWIC's actions are directed towards assessing the biological status of native wild species suspected of being at risk of extinction or extirpation across their range in Canada. COSEWIC uses the best available information relevant to assessing a species' risk of extinction or extirpation, which it may obtain from credible sources of knowledge of the species and its habitat. The evaluation process is independent and transparent, and the results are reported to the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC) and the Canadian public. COSEWIC is established under Section 14(1) of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and its assessments form the foundation for the legal List of Species at Risk under that legislation. Sections 21, 22 and 28 of SARA direct that COSEWIC will consider applications for the assessment of species and species status reports accompanied by applications for the assessment of species, subject to regulations. Any such application constitutes a request for assessment.

COSEWIC maintains and continually updates a Candidate List of species for commissioning Status Reports. Before preparing a request for assessment, potential applicants are asked to contact, via the COSEWIC Secretariat, the appropriate COSEWIC Species Specialist Subcommittee (SSC) or, in the case of a species not covered by any of COSEWIC's nine SSC's, the Chair of COSEWIC. Potential applicants will be advised concerning the estimation of threats to the species in question, the imminence of the threats, the species' current standing on COSEWIC's Candidate List for assessment, valuable sources of information, and other advice concerning the preparation of a request for assessment and/or status report.

Requests for Assessment

Scope of Applications

Applications to COSEWIC may consist either of:

• a request to COSEWIC to consider a particular species for assessment, or;
• a request to COSEWIC to consider a particular species for assessment accompanied by Species Status Report that has not been solicited by COSEWIC.

COSEWIC's approach to assigning status is, first, to examine a species as a whole. Only if deemed appropriate in cases where a single status designation for a species is not sufficient to accurately portray probabilities of extinction within the species will COSEWIC examine the status of entities below the level of species, be they subspecies, varieties, or geographically or genetically distinct populations (i.e. Designatable Units).

• Requests for Assessment - A Request for Assessment application may propose an eligible species or Designatable Unit for assessment. A request for assessment of a subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population must contain a clear explanation of the validity of the Designatable Unit(s).
• Species Status Reports - Unless specifically requested by COSEWIC, a Species Status Report must consider the whole of a species' occurrence within Canada. Should a Species Status Report propose separate status designations for putative Designatable Units within the species in question, the report must contain clear explanations of the validity of the Designatable Units.

Species' Eligibility

To be eligible for assessment, a species must meet certain criteria regarding taxonomic validity, native origin, regularity of occurrence, and dependence on Canadian habitat. COSEWIC normally only considers species and subspecies or varieties that have been established as taxonomically valid. They must be native to Canada, occur regularly in Canada (thus excluding vagrants), and require habitat in Canada for at least one key life history stage. Any case that is an exception to these rules must be justified with supporting information; this should normally be reviewed and agreed to by COSEWIC before a status report is prepared. Ineligible species (for example domestic, feral, or artificially introduced species of animals and plants, or bacteria and viruses which are specifically excluded by SARA) cannot be assessed by COSEWIC.

Imminence of Threat

Species for which the threat of extinction or extirpation is extreme (e.g., greater than 50% probability of loss within 10 years) and for which immediate action is required if the species is to survive may be subject to emergency assessment. If an emergency assessment is requested, a full justification for considering the threat to be extreme must be provided. A status report is not required to accompany a request for an emergency assessment but is recommended. Applicants who wish to request an emergency assessment are strongly urged to contact COSEWIC and the appropriate SSC Co-Chair beforehand to determine if the emergency assessment is warranted.

Justification for the Request and Sources of Information

An explication of why the species might be considered to be at risk is required. This should indicate the nature of the particular threats to the species, population and distribution trends of the species, evidence of decline, and other estimations of its status in Canada including General Status of Species in Canada rankings and provincial or territorial rankings, or other systems. If there is more information than can be contained in three pages of text, a species status report should be prepared. Sources for the information contained in the justification for the request, be they published literature, unpublished reports, personal observations, or the observations of others, must be listed.

Conflict of Interest

Applicants for Species Status Assessment and suppliers of Species Status Reports for COSEWIC must declare any conflicts of interest pertaining to the application for assessment and its possible outcome (Annex I). Failure to do so may cause applications and reports to be returned unreceived by COSEWIC.

Species Status Reports

A Species Status Report for COSEWIC is a comprehensive, fully documented technical compilation and analysis of the best available information on a species' status in Canada that indicates the threats to that species. A Species Status Report for COSEWIC must conform to the guidelines for preparation of Status Reports.

Waiver of Moral Rights and Permission to use Species Status Report

Authors and owners of Species Status Reports must grant permission to COSEWIC and to Environment Canada to use, edit, reformat, reproduce, modify, distribute, and share the Species Status Report and any subsequent revisions to that Report by the author. Authors furthermore must provide Environment Canada with a waiver of their moral rights to the Species Status Report. A separate waiver is required from each contributing author. The permission to use the Species Status Report and the waiver of moral rights enable COSEWIC and Environment Canada to treat the final COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report as a living document subject to periodic updates as may be required without having to specifically name the author of the original Species Status Report.

Accordingly, legal owners of a Species Status Report must sign a copy of Annex II (Permission To Use Species Status Report) and each author of a report must sign a copy of Annex III (Waiver of Moral Rights) . Failure to include signed copies of Annexes II and III with a Species Status Report that accompanies an Application for Assessment may cause the report to be returned unreceived by COSEWIC.

Employees of the Government of Canada who prepare Species Status Reports are not required to tender the permission in Annex II as the report is automatically the property of the Crown. Employees of a province or territory who prepare Species Status Reports may or may not be required to provide Annex II and should contact the COSEWIC Secretariat (cosewic/cosepac@ec.gc.ca). Author(s) who are government employees are, however, still required to sign the waiver in Annex III.

Completeness of Applications

An Application for Assessment that is incomplete cannot be considered by COSEWIC and will be returned. An application must contain:

• A completed application form "Request for Assessment", signed and dated, that includes a justification for why the species may be at risk of extinction
• Annex I (Conflict of Interest), completed and signed separately by all applicants

If the Application also includes a Species Status Report, it must also include:

• A Copy of Annex II (Permission To Use Species Status Report), signed by all copyright owners (ordinarily the authors) with regards to the Status Report
• Copies of Annex III (Waiver of Moral Rights) signed by each of the authors of the Status Report

An Application for Assessment that is complete but is accompanied by a Species Status Report that is not acceptable may be considered by COSEWIC only on its merits as a request for assessment of a particular species.

Submission of Applications

Applications for Assessment should be mailed to:

Process

Applications for Assessment, including Applications that are accompanied by an unsolicited Species Status Report, will initially be considered by the appropriate SSC or, in the case of a species not covered by one of COSEWIC's nine SSCs, an ad hoc subcommittee struck by the Chair of COSEWIC.

An Application for Assessment that is not accompanied by a Species Status Report may be forwarded to COSEWIC by the SSC or ad hoc subcommittee with a recommendation and may be received by COSEWIC for consideration at a Species Assessment Meeting. If accepted, the application will be referred to the COSEWIC Co-chairs subcommittee for placement on the COSEWIC Candidate List and assigned a priority level for commissioning a Status Report.

A Species Status Report that accompanies an Application for Assessment is first evaluated by the appropriate SSC or ad hoc subcommittee. A Status Report that is complete and in conformity to the guidelines for completion of Status Reports, as judged by the SSC or ad hoc subcommittee, will be subjected to review in compliance with normal COSEWIC procedure for all status reports. A valid Status Report will be forwarded to the relevant jurisdictions (including, as necessary, any relevant Wildlife Management Boards) and the COSEWIC ATK Subcommittee. Jurisdictions are allowed 6 months to review all reports prior to a COSEWIC Species Assessment Meeting. The report will be distributed to all members of COSEWIC two months prior to a Species Assessment Meeting accompanied by a copy of the Application, a Technical Summary prepared by the SSC or ad hoc subcommittee, and a recommendation from the SSC or ad hoc subcommittee. Throughout this review process, the author(s) of a Species Status Report may be asked to make editorial changes, add available information, and/or delete inapplicable sections of the report. Failure to comply with such requests may result in a report being deemed unacceptable.

The application and report will only be received for consideration by COSEWIC at a Species Assessment Meeting.

An Application for Assessment that is complete but is accompanied by an unsolicited Species Status Report that is incomplete or not in conformity to the guidelines for completion of status reports as judged by the SSC or ad hoc subcommittee, or is unaccompanied by a waiver of moral rights and a grant of permission to use the Species Status Report may be considered by COSEWIC as though only a Request for Assessment without a status report. In this case, the Species Status Report will be returned unreceived by COSEWIC. The Applicant will have the option either to proceed with the Request for Assessment without the Status Report or withdraw the Application in order to revise the report.

An Application for Assessment that requests an emergency assessment will be consigned to an ad hoc Emergency Assessment Subcommittee consisting of the Chair of COSEWIC, the appropriate Subcommittee Co-chair(s), and the relevant jurisdictional member(s) of COSEWIC. The Emergency Assessment Subcommittee will consider the imminence of the threats to the species and whether a status listing on an emergency basis is warranted. If the emergency listing is warranted, the Emergency Assessment Subcommittee will forward its recommendation to the federal Minister of Environment and advise COSEWIC. If the emergency listing is not warranted, the Application will be considered in the same manner as a regular request for assessment.

Outcomes

An Application for Assessment that is not accompanied by a Species Status Report or is accompanied by an unacceptable Species Status Report will either:

• be accepted by COSEWIC and result in the species in question being placed on the Candidate List and assigned a priority level for commissioning a Species Status Report. Priority level will be determined by COSEWIC on advice from the appropriate SSC or ad hoc subcommittee, or;
• be accepted by COSEWIC and result in the species in question being assigned a new level of priority for commissioning a species status report, or;
• be rejected by COSEWIC.

An unsolicited Species Status Report that accompanies an Application for Assessment will either:

• be accepted by COSEWIC and result in the species in question being assessed by COSEWIC at a Species Assessment Meeting, or;
• be rejected by COSEWIC.

An Application for Assessment that requests an emergency assessment may either:

• be accepted by the ad hoc Emergency Assessment Subcommittee and forwarded to the Minister of Environment with a recommendation, or;
• be rejected by the ad hoc Emergency Assessment Subcommittee and considered in the same terms as an other request for assessment.

Applicants will be informed by COSEWIC of its decisions. For all rejected Applications and Status Reports, COSEWIC will indicate to the applicant the reason(s) for rejection. In these matters, COSEWIC's decision is final for any particular Application.

Additional Information on the COSEWIC Website (http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/index.htm):

• Assessment Process and Criteria http//www.cosewic.gc.ca/pdf/English/Assessment_process_e.pdf
• Guidelines for Recognizing Designatable Units Below the Species Level http//www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct2/sct2_5_e.cfm
• Instructions for the Preparation of COSEWIC Status Reports http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/pdf/English/Instructions.pdf

Attachments:

Application Form "Request for Assessment" (Required for all applications)

Annex I: Declaration of Conflict of Interest (Required for all applications)

Annex II: Permission To Use Species Status Report (To accompany status reports only)

Annex III: Waiver of Moral Rights (To accompany status reports only)

Date of Application:_______________
Name(s) of applicant(s):
Address:
telephone, fax, email:

Status report: attached ∗ not attached ∗

Species (Scientific name, English and French common names):

_____________________________________________________

Species' Distribution
Globally:

In Canada:


Imminence of Threat: extreme ∗ very high ∗ high ∗ moderate ∗ not known ∗ not applicable ∗

Is the threat of extinction or extirpation from Canada sufficiently grave as to warrant an emergency assessment ∗ yes ∗ no ?

Justification for Request for Assessment (maximum 3 pages)
(i.e. evidence of decline, threats to the species, other reasons to suspect the species is at risk of extinction or extirpation from Canada)

Sources of Information:

The applicant(s) attest that the information in this request for assessment is, to the greatest extent possible, accurate and true. Furthermore, if a Species Status Report is attached, the author(s) agree(s) that the status report may be reviewed and edited by COSEWIC and the corresponding Subcommittee Co-Chair, that the author(s) will receive no royalty or other compensation from the Government of Canada or from COSEWIC, and that the manuscript contains no matter that is libellous, invades individual privacy, or infringes upon any proprietary rights.

Signature(s): ________________________________________

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

To accompany all applications

A separate copy of this form must be completed by each applicant.

Pursuant to the Request for Assessment of:

(species)____________________________________________________,

I, (name)________________________________, hereby declare any and all proprietary or commercial interest or conflicts of interest I may have that relate directly or indirectly to the subject of this application.

Details:

Signature ___________________________

Date:_______________________________

Permission To Use Species Status Report

To accompany submission of a status report

I/We _____________________________________________________ as legal owner(s) name(s)

of the intellectual property in the Species Status Report entitled

(Update) Status report on the ____________________________________ in Canada
name of species

hereby grant permission to COSEWIC and to Environment Canada (EC) to use, edit, reformat, reproduce, modify, distribute, and share the Species Status Report, a copy of which is attached to this Permission, in whole or in part, in support of the COSEWIC species status assessment process.

I/we understand that EC will be using the Species Status Report to produce a COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report and future updates to this latter report. I/we also understand and agree the COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report and future updates shall be the intellectual property of EC and that I/we have no rights to them.

I am/we are submitting, with this Permission, waivers of Moral Rights from all authors who contributed to the Species Status Report.

Signature _____________________________

Name ______________________________

Address _____________________________
______________________________
______________________________


Signature ______________________________

Name ________________________________
Address ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________


Signature ______________________________

Name ________________________________
Address ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________

Waiver of Moral Rights

To accompany submission of a status report

A separate copy of this form must be completed by each author.

I _________________________________________________________ declare that I
name of author

have contributed to the creation or production of the Species Status Report entitled:

(Update) Status report on the ______________________________________ in Canada
name of species

(hereinafter referred to as the "Work") and briefly described as a report containing the best available information on the species status in Canada that will form the basis for a status assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). I recognize that:

__________________________________________________________________
name(s) of copy right owner(s)

is/are the lawful owner(s) of the copyright in the Work.

I am are fully aware that my moral rights, as defined by the Copyright Act, include a) the right of having my name associated with the Work, where reasonable in the circumstances; and b) the right to the integrity of the Work such as preventing the Work from being changed, corrected or amended.

I hereby waive in whole all moral rights which I may have in the Work in favour of the Government of Canada (Environment Canada), including the right to the integrity of the Work, the right to be associated with the Work in all contexts and in connection with all products and/or services.

For purposes of this Waiver, "Work" shall include without limitation all multimedia presentations, software, documentation, data, designs, reports, flowcharts, specification and source code listings, and of any related works, including any enhancements, modifications, or additions to the software and hardware products owned, marketed, or used by the Government of Canada.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of

______________________ ______________________
Witness (signature) Author (signature)

______________________ ______________________
Name of Witness (printed) Name of Author (printed)

______________________
Date

Appendix VII

COSEWIC Status Assessments (November 2003 and May 2004).

Results are grouped by taxon and then by status category. A reason for designation is given for each species. A short history of status designations follows. The range of occurrence in Canada for each species (by province, territory or ocean) is provided.

Appendix VIII

Cover Illustration: Peary Caribou, Tuktu, Rangifer tarandus pearyi, designated Endangered by COSEWIC in May 2004. Drawing by Shelly O'Gorman, Iqaluit, Nunavut.

This publication can be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2004. Canadian Species at Risk, May 2004. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 49 pp.

COSEWIC Status Reports are available from the Species at Rist Act Public Registry http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca

COSEWIC MANDATE

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species including the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC MEMBERSHIP

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal agencies (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government members and the co-chairs of the species specialist and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittees. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions were reviewed by COSEWIC in May 2004:

Wildlife species a species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and it is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.

Extinct (X) A wildlife species that no longer exists.

Extirpated (XT) A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.

Endangered (E) A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened (T) A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Special Concern (SC)* A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Not at Risk (NAR)** A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.

Data Deficient (DD)*** A wildlife species for which there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.

________________________
* Formerly described as "Vulnerable" from 1990 to 1999, or "Rare" prior to 1990.
** Formerly described as "Not In Any Category", or "No Designation Required."
*** Formerly described as "Indeterminate" from 1994 to 1999 or "ISIBD" (insufficient scientific information on which to base a designation) prior to 1994.

Summary Tables

Species designated in the "risk" and the Extinct categories, and
the Not at Risk and Data Deficient categories

Results from the May 2004 COSEWIC meeting

Explanation of status change symbols for reassessed species

2 Species placed in a higher risk category after reassessment on the date shown.
3 Species placed in a lower risk category after reassessment on the date shown.
4 Species stays in the same category after reassessment on the date shown.
5 Species moved to the Data Deficient category from a risk category, or to a risk category from the Data Deficient category on the date shown.
6 Species that has been assigned to a different designatable unit than previously on the date shown.
7 Species moved to the Not at Risk category from a risk category on the date shown.
(no symbol) New species examined on the date shown.

COSEWIC Assessment Results

The tables that follow (Tables 6-9) are organized by status category and then by taxonomic group. For each species, the information provided includes the common name, scientific name, population name, and range of occurrence in Canada (by province, territory or ocean). For birds, range of occurrence includes the Canadian breeding and wintering distribution. The most recent date of assessment by COSEWIC is shown. The symbols on the left provide information on the type of status report used as the basis for reassessment for species evaluated against quantitative criteria (see below), and the symbols on the right provide information on the outcome of status reassessments (see explanation of symbols on page three).

The first COSEWIC "Endangered Species List" was issued in 1978. In 1990, it was decided that all species considered by COSEWIC should be included in this document even if the species were in the Not at Risk or Data Deficient categories. Therefore, this document is divided into four sections. The first section (Table 6) includes species assessed and designated as Extinct. The second section (Table 7) includes species assessed and designated as Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern. The third section (Table 8) includes species assessed and found to be in the Not at Risk category. The fourth section (Table 9) includes species considered by COSEWIC and placed in the Data Deficient category because of insufficient scientific information.

Evaluation with COSEWIC's quantitative criteria

COSEWIC has been using quantitative criteria to assess species' risk of extinction since October 1999. These criteria were adapted from the criteria used by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Explanation of type of status report symbols for species evaluated using quantitative criteria

0 or 0⁺ Assessment based on a new status report or an update status report. A plus sign (+) indicates the report has an addendum or that the report has been modified.

1 or 1⁺ Species re-assessed using an existing status report. A plus sign (+) indicates the report has an addendum or that the report has been modified.

Geographical occurrence abbreviations

Table 6. Species assessed and designated Extinct, with range of occurrence (by province, territory or ocean) and date of last assessment. The historical range of occurrence and the approximate date of disappearance are shown (12 species).

Table 7. Species assessed and designated in a "risk category" (Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern), with range of occurrence (by province, territory or ocean) and date of assessment. For Extirpated species, the historical range of occurrence and the approximate date of disappearance from Canada are shown (444 species).

[1]Explanation of status change symbols for reassessed species
0 or 0⁺: Assessment based on a new status report or an update status report. A plus sign (+) indicates the report has an addendum or that the report has been modified.
1 or 1⁺: Species re-assessed using an existing status report. A plus sign (+) indicates the report has an addendum or that the report has been modified.
2: Species placed in a higher risk category after reassessment on the date shown.
3: Species placed in a lower risk category after reassessment on the date shown.
4: Species stays in the same category after reassessment on the date shown.
5: Species moved to the Data Deficient category from a risk category, or to a risk category from the Data Deficient category on the date shown.
6: Species that has been assigned to a different designatable unit than previously on the date shown.
7: Species moved to the Not at Risk category from a risk category on the date shown.
(no symbol) New species examined on the date shown.

COSEWIC Assessment Results (continue)