Recovery Strategy for the Copper Redhorse in Canada [Proposed] 2012: Recovery

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The goal of this recovery strategy is to improve the current situation of the Copper Redhorse in order to halt the process of extinction, increase species abundance and, in the long term, to bring the population to a level sufficient for COSEWIC to reduce its status listing to threatened, of special concern, or not at risk. The population recovery goal, in order to maintain a self-perpetuating Copper Redhorse population while maintaining 90% genetic diversity, was estimated at 4,000 adults (Bernatchez, 2004; Lippé et al., 2006; DFO, 2007). The time frame set out to reach this goal is 20 years. Present assessment methods cannot measure directly attainment of the recovery goal. Therefore, several population and distribution objectives were determined in order to measure progress:

the ratio of Copper Redhorse spawners to total redhorse population, irrespective of species, should reach 3%;
autumn catches of Copper Redhorse young-of-the-year should constitute 3% of total juvenile redhorse catches, irrespective of species;
in the next few years, juveniles introduced through stocking initiatives should contribute significantly to population inventories, while those issuing from natural reproduction gradually increase;
the present distribution range must be maintained.

In order to reach the population objectives, three broad approaches have been identified:

Conservation: legislative and administrative regulatory and management actions are required to supplement research and outreach strategies;
Education and outreach: improve awareness among stakeholders of the precarious situation of the Copper Redhorse population and of the threats to its recovery;
Research and monitoring: scientific research and monitoring programs to improve knowledge about the Copper Redhorse and the threats to its recovery.

The implementation of earlier Copper Redhorse recovery strategies has resulted in previous measures to assist in the recovery of the species (Comité d'intervention, 1995, 1999; Équipe de rétablissement du chevalier cuivré, 2005).

2.2.1.1 Legal Protection

The Copper Redhorse has been listed in Schedule 1 of SARA since 2007 and existing regulations prohibit the killing, disturbance, harassment and capture of listed wildlife species. The Copper Redhorse was also designated as a threatened species in 1999 under the Quebec Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species (R.S.Q., c. E-12.01). This status is the highest level of protection that can be granted to a species. In order to limit mortalities, under the Quebec Fishery Regulations (SORS/90-214 and SORS/2008-322), a prohibition is in place against sport fishing and possession of chub and redhorse in the distribution area of the Copper Redhorse, with the exception of Lac Saint-Pierre and its archipelago, because these fish resemble the Copper Redhorse and it is difficult for fishermen to distinguish between them.

All commercial fishermen must release any Copper and River Redhorse incidentally captured, and the use of any species of redhorse as bait is prohibited. A ban on bait fishing has been in place since April 1, 2008 in the Richelieu River, downstream from the Chambly basin, in order to protect Copper Redhorse juveniles. Furthermore, the Fisheries Act protects Copper Redhorse habitat by prohibiting any activity resulting in the disturbance, deterioration or destruction of the habitat, unless an authorization is granted by the Minister.

The Act Respecting the Conservation and Development of Wildlife (R.S.Q. C-61.1, r.46) provides legal protection to the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve in the Chambly rapids against possible physical, chemical or biological alterations of the habitat and prohibits all activity during the Copper Redhorse spawning and egg-incubation period, i.e., from June 20 to July 20, in areas used for that purpose. The Act also provides for fish habitat protection through the development of wildlife habitat plans that establish the norms and conditions regulating any actions undertaken in the environment (Chapter IV.1).

2.2.1.2 Construction and operation of the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder

Since the late 1960s, the unrestricted passage of Copper Redhorse and other fish species was seriously compromised by improvements made to the Saint-Ours dam, which did not have a fish ladder as before (Dumont et al., 1997). In the spring of 2001, a multi-species fish ladder was put into operation with the logistical and financial participation of several partners.¹² The structure is operated by Parks Canada which oversees the Saint-Ours Canal and Dam historic site. The operating permit for the fish ladder, issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, required that a testing period be devoted to committee supervised¹³ experimenting and comparison of various fish pass and dam shutter operational procedures in order to identify the optimal means of providing unrestricted passage to Copper Redhorse and other targeted species, such as lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and river redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum). Results have been very encouraging: Copper Redhorse do make use of the fish ladder, though they remain quite rare (Fleury and Desrochers, 2003; Fleury and Desrochers, 2004; Fleury and Desrochers, 2005; Fleury and Desrochers, 2006).

2.2.1.3 Establishment of the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve

The Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Refuge, inaugurated in October 2002, was named after the naturalist who first described a Copper Redhorse specimen (in a scientific journal) in 1866. The wildlife preserve in the Chambly rapids aims to preserve the integrity of the more important of the only two known spawning grounds, to ensure that spawners are not disturbed during the period of reproduction and to protect eggs during incubation. The refuge was created with the collaborative efforts of Hydro-Quebec, the MNRF, the municipalities of Richelieu and Chambly, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The NCC has been granted ownership of a 15 km section of the river bed upstream of the refuge and is active in conservation of aquatic habitats and in outreach programs in the preserve.

2.2.1.4 Protection of the Île Jeannotte and Île aux Cerfs

In order to ensure long-term protection of the île Jeannotte and Île aux Cerfs, in the Richelieu River, the NCC was granted ownership of the islands in December 2006 and February 2009. Ownership of the Île aux Cerfs was later transferred to MRNF. This provides protection to sites particularly favorable to the growth of the Copper Redhorse. The banks of the islands are essentially the only ones in this section of the Richelieu River which have not been disturbed by development. In 2010, an outreach project around the islands was organised by NCC and the Comité de concertation et de valorisation du basin versant de la rivière Richelieu (COVABAR). Buoys and two platforms were installed to raise awareness among boaters of the presence of this important habitat for juveniles. Awareness events were carried out during the summer to inform boaters on wildlife habitats and best practices in navigation.

2.2.1.5 Artificial reproduction, breeding and stocking

In 2004, an artificial reproduction plan was implemented to counter the low rate of natural reproduction. From 2004 to 2009, close to three million larvae and 140,000 juveniles were released into the nursery areas of the Richelieu River. Spawners are captured at the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder. The objective of the plan is to rebuild the reproductive stock by preserving at least 90% of the initial genetic diversity of the population over a period of 100 years (Bernatchez, 2004). Nine ponds were created by the MNRF specifically for rearing Copper Redhorse at the Baldwin Provincial Fish Culture Station. Artificial reproduction is carried out by the MRNF at Park Canada facilities, with the support of DFO since 2009.

2.2.1.6 Actions undertaken within the environment

The agro-environmental advisory club Conseilsol has been granted funding from the Fondation de la faune du Québec program “Development of biodiversity in watercourses in agricultural areas,” in collaboration with the Union des producteurs agricoles, to undertake restoration and bank stabilization projects on Ruisseau Richer. This tributary has an impact on water quality of the nursery areas in the Richelieu River. This club has joined with the COVABAR to plan and carry out remedial actions in agricultural areas and to work with farmers to implement changes in agricultural practices.

Since 2006, the NCC has helped in the restoration and characterization of the banks of the Richelieu River, upstream of the Pierre-Étienne Fortin Wildlife Refuge and in the vicinity of the Île Jeannotte and Île aux Cerfs. Several bank stabilization and restoration projects were completed in the Rivière des Hurons, Rivière L’Acadie and Rivière Beloeil, which are tributaries of the Richelieu considered in need of priority remedial action, from 2006 to 2010, by COVABAR in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Agri-food. The Rivière des Hurons – the most polluted river in Quebec – was targeted because of the proximity of its outflow with the main spawning area for Copper Redhorse and other threatened species. These works were carried out with the assistance of funding from the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund and several other partners. The Eco-Nature organization has implemented a bank characterization program along the Rivière des Mille Îles in order to provide a comprehensive description of the state of the river banks and to propose remedial action. Since 2007, approximately 180 properties (private and municipal) have been assessed. Property owners receive a Riverside Package encouraging them to restore the banks through revegetation and the signing of honor-based conservation agreements. This is part of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP).

2.2.2.1 Educational tools about the Copper Redhorse

Publication of pamphlets on the Copper Redhorse was designed to educate and inform the general public about the precarious status of the species, to propose remedial action, to describe the importance of the Richelieu River, and to publicize the role of the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve. One pamphlet was produced by COVABAR. Another one, with a more detailed description of the wildlife refuge, was published by the NCC in collaboration with the MRNF, the Parks Canada Agency, the HSP and Projet Rescousse. The Lake St. Pierre PIZ committee produced identification and educational guides on several species at risks, including the Copper Redhorse, and targeted various groups (e.g. anglers and commercial fishermen). Eight information panels were placed at strategic sites around the lake (launching ramps). The species was also the subject of numerous articles in newspapers and journals, and was featured in television and radio reports and also some theatrical presentations.

2.2.2.2 The Rescousse Project

Projet Rescousse is a non-profit organization with two objectives: to raise funds for the protection of threatened species, and to improve public awareness of this environmental issue. In December 1998, Projet Rescousse launched a micro-brewery beer on the market, La Rescousse. Some of the profits are paid into the Partenaire pour la biodiversité fund, part of the Fondation de la faune du Québec, in order to support projects on threatened species in Quebec. The Copper Redhorse is presently considered the standard-bearer of threatened species in Quebec and La Rescousse, which serves as an excellent communications vehicle throughout the media, has contributed to promoting the species’ image among the public. Projet Rescousse was also one of the financial partners involved with the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder in Saint-Ours.

2.2.2.3 The Rivière des Mille Îles

With the help of the HSP, Eco-Nature, a non-profit environmental organization, began a public awareness program specifically targeting land owners along the river bank. The program included interpretive sign postings, lectures and educational material and was primarily aimed at habitat conservation and improving awareness of the status of the Copper Redhorse. Collaborative efforts of several agencies, including Eco-Nature and MRNF, led to the creation of the Mille-Îles River Wildlife Preserve. This preserve, protected in 1998, includes ten islands totalling 26.2 hectares of private land, property of the cities of Laval and Rosemère, and of Eco-Nature. The latter manages the site.

2.2.2.4 Protection of the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve

The COVABAR, in collaboration with the MRNF and other partners, undertook a warden service project in the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve. The objective of the project was to preserve the most important of the two known Copper Redhorse spawning grounds and of the species’ habitat. This extremely rich, natural site is very popular for recreation in the summer months (swimmers, kayakers, jet-ski users, sport fishermen).

The presence of awareness officers patrolling the sector during the summers of 2006, and from 2008 to 2010, especially during the spawning periods of the species in the area, ensured that wildlife preserve and sports fishing regulations were followed, improved awareness among the public, and permitted the completion of a creel survey. This awareness project was made possible with funding by the HSP, Environment Canada, and the Fondation de la faune du Québec.

2.2.2.5 The “Discover the Journey of the Copper Redhorse” Project

Five interpretive panels describing the Copper Redhorse were designed. This project is the result of close collaboration between the NCC, the COVABAR and the MRNF. Placed at strategic locations along the Richelieu River, these bilingual panels provide descriptions of the Copper Redhorse and its habitat, threats to its survival, recovery initiatives undertaken, and suggestions for further actions to assist in its conservation.

2.2.2.6 Interpretation Program and Activities at the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder

In the summer of 2010, COVABAR began a pilot project offering interpretation activities at the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder in the Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site. The goal of the project was to increase public awareness by providing information related to the Richelieu River watershed and the various fish species that use the fish ladder, particularly the Copper Redhorse.

This project provided an opportunity to pursue the outreach initiatives targeting riverside landowners and users and to develop a program of organized interpretation activities which may be continued in the coming years.

2.2.3.1 Juvenile Identification Guide

Given the difficulties in identifying juvenile redhorse of the five species present in Quebec, a bilingual dichotomous key for juveniles (35 mm and over) was designed in 2003 (Vachon, 2003a). Work has also been completed on descriptions of smaller specimens, most notably through comparative evaluations of the osteological development of the redhorse’s tail (Grünbaum et al., 2003).

2.2.3.2 Genetic Analyses

To date, DNA analysis is the only reliable method of distinguishing larvae (25 mm and under) because identification based on external morphological characteristics has proved inconclusive. Analytical methods have been refined, and genetic analysis of the population, along with an evaluation of genetic heterogeneity, has been carried out (Lippé et al., 2004, 2006). This work has provided the information necessary to design a reproduction strategy. Besides the genetic characterization of all captured specimens and of spawners used for artificial reproduction, a marking study was carried out in 2007 and parental assignment analyses have been conducted on the tissue of captured juveniles in order to determine their natural or artificial origin and add to present knowledge of the survival of juveniles introduced into natural environments. Overall, the ratio of Copper Redhorse born from artificial and natural reproduction is of 9:1 (Vachon, 2010). This monitoring allows measuring the efficiency of protection and recovery activities.

2.2.3.3 Annual Monitoring of Fish Recruitment

A protocol for the monitoring of redhorse young-of-the-year in the Richelieu River was designed and implemented on a yearly basis. The objective of this project is to develop a performance index to evaluate present and future conservation and recovery measures. Using seine nets, fish were captured at 40 stations during the fall in 1998 and 2009. As of 2008, this work was extended to include the Saint-Ours sector in Sorel. Certain preliminary tendencies have been detected in population abundance, young-of-the-year growth and the climatic and hydrological conditions (Vachon, 1999b, 2002, 2007). These efforts, combined with genetic analyses, have also confirmed the short-term survival of juvenile Copper Redhorse introduced into the environment as part of the stocking program and have added to our knowledge about older juveniles.

2.2.3.4 Telemetric Tracking

As a first step, telemetric tracking has proven to be the best tool to locate habitats used by Copper Redhorse in the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries. The next step was to provide a thorough description of habitat characteristics, in order to identify and quantify critical areas within the distribution range which may be used by adults of the species (spawning grounds, feeding grounds, migration corridors). Appropriate conservation measures can then be developed, along with management strategies to maximize protection of Copper Redhorse habitat. Phase I of the telemetric tracking project produced improved methods of tagging fish, while subsequent phases provided information on Copper Redhorse distribution, movements and preferred habitat. Telemetric tracking has revealed that the distribution range of the species is much broader than was initially believed, based on captured specimens. Telemetry was also used to identify the environmental variables involved in habitat selection and to run a multivariate habitat model. This model was used to produce maps indicating the probability of species’ presence during the spring, summer and fall periods (Comité ZIP des Seigneuries, 2006; Hatin, MRNF, unpublished data). This information was then used to identify critical habitat for adult Copper Redhorse in the St. Lawrence River (DFO, 2010a).

2.2.3.5 Monitoring Accidental Catches in Commercial Fisheries and angling

In 1998, the collaboration of one commercial fisherman operating in the Lavaltrie-Contrecoeur sector of the St. Lawrence River provided evidence of a significant concentration of adult Copper Redhorse in the area. Since then, the collaboration has been ongoing and the MRNF has overseen an annual monitoring of incidental catches in his fishing gear from April to November.

This monitoring program collates the following information: date, type of fishing gear, site, total length, presence of nuptial tubercles and external anomalies, state of health at point of release, and other pertinent information (stage of sexual maturity, distinctive colorings, etc.). When possible, sex is determined by abdominal pressure, presence of nuptial tubercles, and the angle formed by the pelvic fins. A microchip is implanted in each fish released to permit future identification. The discovery of this group has provided considerable new information on the species.

In 2009, the PIZ committee began a project to evaluate the impacts of commercial and sport fishing in Lac Saint-Pierre. The goal of the project is to improve awareness among fishermen of the precarious state of the Copper Redhorse and to verify the scale of accidental catches. The project uses several approaches including education of fishermen, training of personnel, and establishment of an emergency phone line.

To reach the target of 4,000 mature individuals and to achieve the population and distribution objectives, five recovery objectives are proposed:

Objective 1. Improve habitat conditions necessary for all stages of the life cycle and for the survival and recovery of the Copper Redhorse by:

protecting known key habitat zones and creation of supplementary habitat;

improving water quality and habitat, in the Richelieu and St. Lawrence River watersheds, to ensure conditions suitable for normal reproduction and growth;

maintaining connectivity between habitats used for the different stages of the life cycle.

Objective 2. Support the Copper Redhorse population through stocking until natural reproduction can ensure the long-term stability of the population.

Objective 3. Promote further research into the sub-adult component of the population (100–500 mm) to fill the gaps in our current knowledge of this stage of the Copper Redhorse life cycle.

Objective 4. Reduce the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the Copper Redhorse and its habitat.

Objective 5. Implement regular monitoring of the state of the population.

The following table includes measures aimed at providing strategic orientation to recovery actions implemented by DFO and all partners interested in the recovery of the Copper Redhorse

Table 2. Recovery Planning: recovery strategies to mitigate the impact of threats are suggested for each recovery objective. These recovery strategies are grouped according to the corresponding approach (conservation, education, research) and are further described in the “measures” column. The recovery strategies are prioritized:beneficial: would aid in the recovery; necessary: of high value for recovery; essential: indispensable for recovery.
Priority of measures (Beneficial, Necessary, Essential)	Approach	Threats addressed	Recovery strategies	Measures
Objective 1. Improve habitat conditions necessary for all stages of the life cycle and for the survival and recovery of the Copper Redhorse.
Objective 1a. Protection of known key habitat zones and creation of supplementary habitat
Essential	Conservation	Dam	Ensure optimal operation of the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder	Maintain and adapt if needed optimal long-term operational conditions for the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder.
Essential	Conservation	Degradation of habitat, water levels	Maintain physical and hydrological integrity of the known spawning grounds.	Ensure a suitable management of the Saint-Ours dam during the migration, spawning and incubation period of Copper Redhorse.
Essential	Conservation	Degradation of habitat, water levels		Implement specific measures within the protocols governing the evaluation and monitoring of activities conducted in riparian and aquatic environments in order to maintain physical and hydrological integrity of the Chambly spawning grounds.
Essential	Conservation	Degradation of habitat	Acquire or provide legal protection for sites suitable for reproduction, feeding, rearing and growth of the Copper Redhorse.	Review and amend the limits and rules of the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Refuge (periods of access and activities prohibited).
				Provide legal protection for Île Hervieux (Lavaltrie)
				Consolidate protection of Île Jeannotte and Île aux Cerfs through the creation of a wildlife refuge.
Necessary	Conservation	Habitat degradation	Protect key habitat, particularly grass beds, from degradation due to dredging and dumping of dredged materials.	Implement specific measures within the protocols governing the evaluation and monitoring in order to prevent the dredging and the dumping of dredging debris in the grass beds of the St. Lawrence River corridor and of the Richelieu River.
Necessary	Conservation	Water levels	Maintain St. Lawrence water levels and flows regulation to comply with habitat requirements of the Copper Redhorse.	Promote including suitable water levels in the grass beds of the St. Lawrence, offering appropriate habitat conditions to the Copper Redhorse, in the water level management criteria, to the International Joint Commission.
Necessary	Conservation	Habitat degradation	Slow the process of the hardening of banks and restore riparian environments.	Promote the uniform implementation of the Protection Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains throughout the MRCs located within the Copper Redhorse distribution range.
				Evaluate the regulations in place in the riverside municipalities to regulate bank stabilization and construction of retaining walls and which are derived from the Protection Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains.
				Implement specific measures within the protocols governing the evaluation and monitoring of activities conducted in riparian and aquatic environments in order to prevent the hardening of banks.
				Develop a mechanism that provides expert advice on vegetation stabilization.
				Develop a bank restoration plan covering the Copper Redhorse distribution range, with priority accorded to: the Richelieu River, the confluence of the Rivière des Prairies and Rivière des Mille Îles and the Varennes-Boucherville reach of the St. Lawrence River.
Necessary	Outreach and education	Habitat degradation	Improve awareness, among riverbank landowners, farmers and municipalities, of the negative impacts of hardening of banks and promote restoration of riparian strips.	Launch awareness programs. Identify target audience and evaluate effectiveness of awareness campaigns in modifying and maintaining behaviors.
Necessary	Outreach and education	Habitat degradation		Promote 10 to 15 m wide riparian zone restoration within the distribution range of the species.
Beneficial	Research and monitoring	Habitat degradation	Develop a monitoring approach for aquatic habitats in the Copper Redhorse distribution area.	Implement regular monitoring of the grass beds of the St Lawrence River corridor and improve aquatic vegetation models.
Beneficial	Research and monitoring	Habitat degradation		Quantify and qualify aquatic habitats of the Yamaska and Noire Rivers in order to evaluate the possibility of rehabilitating the Copper Redhorse population in these rivers.
Beneficial	Conservation	Habitat degradation	Create new suitable habitat within the Copper Redhorse distribution area.	Restore aquatic habitats suitable for various life stages of the species.
Objective 1b. Improvement of water quality and habitat, in the Richelieu and St. Lawrence River watersheds, to ensure conditions suitable for normal reproduction and growth
Essential	Conservation	Habitat degradation, Contaminants	Reduce the input of nutrients and of pesticides from agricultural activities into streams within the Copper Redhorse’s distribution area.	Modify agricultural practices in order to reduce the input of nutrients and of pesticides into watercourses.
Essential	Conservation	Habitat degradation, Contaminants		Establish riparian strips that can significantly filter nutrients and pesticides coming from agricultural activities.
Essential	Conservation	Habitat degradation, Contaminants	Reduce the input into water courses of organic matter and contaminants from waste waters within the Copper Redhorse’s distribution area.	Increase performance of municipal waste water treatments in order to reduce outputs of organic matter and contaminants and to ensure the outflow of treated water at all times and in any circumstances.
				Reduce the outputs of hormones disruptors in municipal effluents, in particular in the Montréal agglomeration effluent.
				Apply regulations on autonomous wastewater treatments.
Necessary	Research and monitoring	Habitat degradation, Contaminants	Monitor regularly water quality as well as pesticides and contaminants concentrations in the Copper Redhorse’s habitat.	Continue monitoring of water quality, pesticides and contaminants in the Richelieu and St. Lawrence Rivers.
Necessary	Research and monitoring	Contaminants	Monitor the evolution, over time, of the estrogenicity of water and assess exposure to hormonal disruptors.	Diagnose the possible role of hormone disruptors in the difficulties facing Copper Redhorse reproduction (feminization, hermaphrodism, etc.)
Beneficial	Outreach and education	Habitat degradation, Contaminants	Increase awareness among farmers of the situation of the Copper Redhorse and of the impact of agricultural pollution on the species.	Encourage farmers to reduce erosion in the Richelieu and St. Lawrence River watersheds.
Beneficial	Outreach and education	Habitat degradation, Contaminants		Encourage farmers to reduce the use of pesticides.
Beneficial	Outreach and education	Habitat degradation, Contaminants	Increase awareness among municipalities, industries and riverside landowners of the impact of wastewater pollution on the Copper Redhorse and its habitat.	Encourage municipalities to treat wastewater so as to efficiently reduce the levels of contaminants, particularly hormone disruptors, and organic matter in wastewater.
Objective 1c. maintain connectivity between habitats used by the different stages of the life cycle
Essential	Conservation	Dams	Ensure that proposed and authorized development projects will not obstruct Copper Redhorse migration.	Implement specific measures within the protocols governing the evaluation and monitoring of activities conducted in riparian and aquatic environments in order to prevent any obstruction to migration.
Objective 2. Support the Copper Redhorse population through stocking until natural reproduction can ensure the long-term stability of the population.
Essential	Conservation	All	Implement the reproduction strategy.	Assess the implementation of the 2004-2009 reproduction strategy and its results.
Essential	Conservation	All	Implement the reproduction strategy.	Assess the plan’s success after ten years and put forward recommendations for continuing the reproduction strategy or to amend it.
Essential	Research and monitoring	All	Optimize performance of the artificial reproduction plan.	Draft and update a report on Copper Redhorse artificial reproduction and rearing techniques.
				Develop an extender specifically designed to preserve Copper Redhorse sperm.
				Evaluate other potential introduction sites that offer suitable conditions for the Copper Redhorse.
				Develop an index to assess the contribution of spawners to the artificial reproduction plan since the beginning of operations.
				Carry out genetic characterizations and parental assignment analyses of all spawners used for artificial reproduction.
Objective 3. Promote further research into the sub-adult component of the population (100–500 mm) to fill the gaps in our current knowledge of this stage of the Copper Redhorse life cycle.
Necessary	Research and monitoring	All	Assess sub-adult component of the population and its habitat.	Develop and implement a sampling method for sub-adult Copper Redhorse.
Necessary	Research and monitoring	All		Research, identify, characterize and protect habitat of sub-adult Copper Redhorse.
Objective 4. Reduce the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the Copper Redhorse and its habitat.
Essential	Conservation	Recreational activities, fisheries	Reinforce surveillance of key habitats.	Increase surveillance and enforcement actions in the Pierre Étienne Fortin Wildlife Preserve, during spawning and incubation, particularly during peak pleasure boating periods.
Essential	Conservation	Recreational activities, fisheries	Reinforce surveillance of key habitats.	Improve signposting of boundaries and regulations of the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Preserve.
Beneficial	Outreach and education	Recreational activities and fisheries.	Improve public awareness about the impact of human activities on Copper Redhorse conservation.	Identify target audience.
				Bring about lasting changes in public attitudes and behavior through efficient awareness campaigns on disturbance, destruction (trampling) of spawning grounds, incidental catch and pleasure boating.
				Pursue awareness initiative in the Pierre-Étienne-Fortin Wildlife Refuge and the Île Jeannotte and Île aux Cerfs sector.
				Improve public awareness of Richelieu River ecosystem and of the Vianney-Legendre fish ladder at the Saint-Ours Canal national historic site with the building of an interpretation center and laboratories.
Beneficial	Conservation	Fisheries	Lessen the impact of the commercial fishery and ichthyological inventories.	Prioritize the buy-back of commercial gillnet and fyke net fishing licenses in the St. Lawrence River.
				Continue the evaluation of mortalities caused by accidental catches of Copper Redhorse by commercial fisheries.
				Reduce incidence of Copper Redhorse mortalities during inventories and scientific research.
				Provide adequate training for people working within Copper Redhorse habitat (e.g.: wildlife officers, commercial fishermen and environmental consulting personnel) so that they are able to identify Copper Redhorse specimens.
Beneficial	Conservation	Fisheries	Lessen the impact of sport fishing.	Modify sports fishing regulations in order to complete the prohibition to capture and possess redhorse and chub throughout the species’ distribution range, including Lac Saint-Pierre and its archipelago.
Beneficial	Conservation	Fisheries	Lessen the impact of sport fishing.	Continue raising awareness of anglers on releasing Copper Redhorse if captured.
Objective 5. Implement regular monitoring of the state of the population
Essential	Research and monitoring	All	Monitor Copper Redhorse population in the Richelieu River.	Implement annual monitoring of recruitment of juvenile redhorse in the Richelieu River.
				Carry out genetic characterizations and parental assignment analyses of all Copper Redhorse collected during sampling in the distribution area of the species.
				Assess the success of natural reproduction in the Richelieu River through genetic characterization.
Necessary	Research and monitoring	All	Develop a method to determine number of spawners.	Develop and implement a validated methodology for counting spawners from data collected during implementation of the reproduction plan.
Beneficial	Research and monitoring	All	Identify new spawning grounds.	Verify presence of reproduction in various potential spawning grounds.

The first recovery objective aims at protecting Copper Redhorse habitat by maintaining existing habitats through conservation measures (legal protection, management policies) and awareness campaigns (protection of river banks), and also by improving water quality, which is vital to the survival of the species. The second and third objectives aim at increasing Copper Redhorse recruitment by maintaining and improving the artificial reproduction plan and adding to the knowledge of the little-known sub-adult component of the population (100–500 mm). This will, in turn, permit the development of appropriate management and protection measures. The fourth objective will implement measures to reduce the impacts from pressures exerted by anthropogenic activities. Approaches proposed to attain this objective include education of fishermen and surveillance to limit disturbances caused by recreational boaters. The final objective, the monitoring of the population, is necessary in order to validate and improve current recovery efforts and to add to the limited knowledge of this species.

¹² Parks Canada, DFO, Department of Transport Canada, Economic Development Agency, MRNF, Ministère de l’agriculture, des pêcheries et de l’alimentation du Québec, Fondation de la faune du Québec and Projet Rescousse.

¹³ The committee consisted of representatives from DFO, MRNF and Parks Canada Agency.