Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Small-bodied Population (sympatric with the Large-bodied Population): report on the progress of recovery strategy implementation for the period 2016 to 2023

Official title: Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Small-bodied Population (sympatric with the Large-bodied Population) in Canada, for the Period 2016 to 2023

Preface

The Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA) requires the competent minister(s) to monitor and report on the implementation of recovery documents (that is, recovery strategies, action plans, and management plans) for species at risk. These reports must describe the progress made towards the species’ recovery or conservation^{Note de bas de page 1}  .

The Minister of Fisheries is the competent minister for aquatic species at risk. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has prepared this progress report.

Reporting on the progress toward implementing recovery documents includes reporting on the collective efforts of the competent minister(s), provincial and territorial governments, and all other parties involved in carrying out actions that contribute to the species’ recovery or conservation.

As stated in the preamble to SARA, success in the recovery and conservation of species at risk depends on the commitment and cooperation of many contributors, and will not be achieved by DFO, or any other jurisdiction, alone. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing the recovery document, for the benefit of the species and Canadian society as a whole.

Acknowledgements

The progress report was prepared by regional recovery planners within DFO. The progress toward species recovery described in this report would not have been achieved without the partnerships and contributions of many individuals and organizations.

Executive summary

This report summarizes the progress made by DFO and its partners towards implementing the recovery strategy for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt, Small-bodied population (Sympatric with the Large-bodied population), between 2016 and 2023. For more information on the contents of this document, please contact the Species at Risk Program (dfo.ncrsara-leprcn.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca).

1 Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Small-bodied Population, (sympatric with the Large-bodied Population), in Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and its partners have made progress towards the implementation of the research and management approaches identified in the “Recovery Strategy for Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Small-bodied Population (sympatric with the Large-bodied Population), in Canada ”, through the actions undertaken between October 2016 and December 2023, to support recovery of the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt sympatric species-pair. The recovery strategy provides detailed information on the unique species pair, its threats, its needs, population objectives (genetic, abundance and distribution), the identification of the small-bodied population critical habitat, broad strategies, and research and management activities for both populations.

The Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) of Lake Utopia consists of 2 co-existing (sympatric) morphologically, ecologically, and genetically differentiated populations that occur only in this single lake within the Magaguadavic watershed in southwest New Brunswick. Together the 2 populations are referred to as the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt sympatric species-pair, or simply Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (LURS).

The LURS Small-bodied population (SbP) was listed as threatened under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003, and a recovery strategy was published in 2016. The Large-bodied population (LbP) was listed as threatened under SARA in 2019. Following the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) 2018 status re-assessments, both populations were reclassified as endangered under SARA in October 2020.  This document reports on the implementation of the 2016 recovery strategy which focused on the survival objectives of the species-pair with distinctions between the 2 interdependent populations where relevant.

This progress report is part of a series of documents for this species that should be taken into consideration together, including the recovery strategy (DFO 2016a), COSEWIC status reports (COSEWIC 2008, 2018), science advisory reports from the recovery potential assessment (DFO 2011) and updated population abundance estimates (DFO 2016b; DFO 2018; DFO 2021; DFO 2024^{Footnote 2} ), and the action plan (DFO 2020). Refer to the LURS species profiles for both populations on the Species at Risk Public Registry for more information and related documents.

1.1 Progress towards meeting the population objectives for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt

Population objectives establish, to the extent possible, the conditions that are necessary for the recovery of the species. The population objectives for LURS are:

• Genetic objective:
  • Maintenance of the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of LURS within the Lake Utopia system
• Abundance objectives:
  • Small-bodied population: 100,000 spawning fish distributed among Second Brook, Unnamed Brook, and Smelt Brook during nights of peak spawning
  • Large-bodied population: 2,000 spawning fish in Mill Lake Stream during nights of peak spawning

• Distribution objectives:
  • Small-bodied population: occupation of Lake Utopia year round and annual, synchronous occupation of Second Brook, Unnamed Brook and Smelt Brook for spawning, with no individual stream to be unoccupied for 2 consecutive years
  • Large-bodied population: occupation of Lake Utopia year round and annual occupation of Mill Lake Stream for spawning

Three broad strategies were identified in the recovery strategy to meet the population (genetic, abundance and distribution) objectives for LURS. During the reporting period, recovery actions were undertaken by DFO and its partners under each broad strategy. Some key achievements are described below.

Broad strategy 1: conduct research and monitoring

• To improve understanding of LURS critical spawning habitat, DFO evaluated biophysical characteristics of known spawning streams and found that LbP streams were warmer than SbP streams, and that egg deposition was greatest in riffles and runs, and on sand and gravel substrate (MacDonald 2017a)
• DFO published protocols for daytime visual monitoring of LURS spawning activity (MacDonald and Burbidge 2017) and outlined nighttime mark-recapture population assessment protocols (DFO 2018) to ensure consistency in methodology and data collection
• Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. and Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc. conducted annual monitoring of LURS spawning activity in all known spawning streams (figure 1). Annual observations included evidence of LbP spawning in Mill Lake Stream and SbP consistently using at least 2 of their 3 known spawning streams (Themelis 2018; ECW 2019; PRGI 2020, 2021, 2022b, 2023; DFO 2021; Abes 2022, 2023; DFO 2024)
• DFO and partners investigated other Lake Utopia tributaries for potential LURS spawning habitat. An unnamed stream (referred to as Big Hike Brook in MacDonald 2017a) and Little Otter Brook, both located at the north-western end of the lake, were identified for future monitoring due to characteristics consistent with known spawning habitat (Jackson pers. comm. 2020; MacDonald 2017a; PRGI 2022a)
• In collaboration with DFO, Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. developed (Sharman and Mawer 2022) and began implementing annual monitoring protocols for the Trout Lake Stream-Spear Brook tributary system in 2022 (Abes 2022, 2023) to evaluate its current usage in follow-up to past accounts of LURS spawning activity (Bradford et al. 2012; DFO 2011; Jackson pers. comm. 2020). No definitive evidence of LURS spawning was found within the reporting period
• DFO, with assistance from partner organizations Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc., Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc., and Dalhousie University, conducted periodic population assessments using mark-recapture techniques. Nightly spawner abundance surveys estimated approximately 30,000 SbP in Second Brook in 2019, and 12,000 LbP and 6,500 LbP in Mill Lake Stream in 2017 and 2018 respectively. This led to a proposed increased recovery target of 5,000 LbP spawners in Mill Lake Stream (DFO 2018, 2021, 2024)
• Genetic analyses undertaken by the Dalhousie University Marine Gene Probe Lab estimated the number of effective LbP spawners in Mill Lake Stream in 2023 to be 240 to 389 individuals. It was also confirmed that hybridization has continued to occur between the 2 populations, but genetic variance, as measured by FST values^{Footnote 3} , indicates both populations remain distinguishable (Bentzen 2024^{Footnote 4} )
• Analysis of the Lake Utopia food web and an eDNA survey conducted by Saint Mary’s University and Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc., respectively, indicate changes in the lake’s food web between past (1998 to 2000) and more recent (2017 to 2018) sampling, and that non-native and invasive species (for example, Chain Pickerel [Esox niger], Smallmouth Bass [Micropterus dolomieu], stocked landlocked Atlantic Salmon [Salmo salar]) are potentially preying upon LURS (Campbell 2019; Forbes 2022)

Broad strategy 2: protect the species and its habitat

• To avoid harm to the species pair and their habitat and protect the conditions required to achieve the population objectives, DFO undertook regulatory reviews of proposed land alteration works and activities at Lake Utopia (for example, a boat launch construction and bank stabilization project), and issued authorizations, permits, or letters of advice to proponents with recommended mitigation measures and modifications (for example, erosion control) thus ensuring or promoting compliance with SARA and the Fisheries Act
• DFO reviewed applications for activities licensed under section 52 of the Fishery (General) Regulations such as fishing for scientific, experimental, educational, public display, or aquatic invasive species control purposes, to promote and enforce compliance with the Fisheries Act and SARA to minimize impacts to the species pair and their habitat
• To better protect the species pair and their habitat as new information became available, the LbP was listed as threatened on Schedule 1 of SARA (2019) and a Critical Habitat Order to protect SbP critical habitat was established (2019)
• In cooperation and consultation with conservation partners and others, DFO developed and published an Action Plan for SbP, in sympatry with LbP, that outlines the actions required to achieve the LURS population objectives (DFO 2020)
• DFO commenced drafting an amended LURS recovery strategy to reflect the SARA listing of the LbP, the endangered status of both populations, and include updated information
• Although directed fishing for smelt in Lake Utopia as authorized under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations made pursuant to the Fisheries Act is exempted in the recovery strategy, the New Brunswick Aboriginal People’s Council continued its support for the conservation of SbP, and extended its support for the conservation of LbP upon its listing under SARA, by agreeing not to fish for smelt in Lake Utopia and its tributaries 
• DFO Conservation and Protection officers regularly patrolled the Lake Utopia area and remained in contact with fishers and stewardship, research, and monitoring groups to raise awareness of LURS and enforce compliance with fishery closures, particularly during their spawning season
• DFO introduced a conservation measure to prohibit the use of eel pots by commercial American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) harvesters within all LURS spawning streams and Trout Lake from March 15th to June 30th thereby mitigating threats to the species pair and their habitat from foot traffic, incidental capture, and disruption to spawning

Broad strategy 3: promote, support and undertake stewardship and education activities

• The Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc. and Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. were active stewards in protecting the species pair and their habitat. They contributed to conservation research priorities, such as monitoring spawning streams (figure 1, figure 2), reporting stream blockages and spring flood conditions, and conducting education and outreach activities to inform residents and stakeholders of LURS’protected status
• The New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure replaced both the old primary and secondary small, cylindrical, metal culverts under Route 785 with a large, square, primary culvert and a concrete, secondary culvert, greatly improving access for LURS to the Mill Lake Stream spawning tributary
• The Lake Utopia Preservation Association compiled historical information regarding the St. George dam, changing lake water levels, and a chronology of other events that impacted the Lake Utopia environment, publishing this information on their website to promote conservation of the lake’s ecological health. They also assisted the province in collecting water quality data

• DFO developed and posted “Protected Species and Habitat” signs in strategic locations around Lake Utopia to inform lake users, landowners, and developers that LURS are protected by federal law and providing a contact number and website for more information
• DFO collaborated with New Brunswick Museum to create a waterproof, pocket-sized field guide to Freshwater Fishes of Conservation Significance in Maritime Canada (PDF, 1.3 MB), which includes Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt, and is available in English, French, Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqey-Peskotomuhkati (McAlpine and Karstad 2024^{Note de bas de page 5} )
• Water levels in Lake Utopia were monitored and recorded by the dam operator, St. George Power Limited Partnership (SGPLP), and managed in an effort to maintain sufficient water levels during the LURS spawning period, specifically by minimizing drawdown so LURS are able to access their spawning streams (SGPLP 2020)
• New Brunswick Invasive Species Council helped to reduce the risk of new introductions of non-native and invasive species through their Clean Drain Dry and Don’t Let It Loose campaigns and other outreach efforts
• Wildlife Conservation Society Canada designated Lake Utopia as a Key Biodiversity Area in 2023 to raise public awareness of LURS conservation status and help inform decision-making on land and water management

Achievement of the population objectives for LURS is evaluated using the performance indicators outlined in the recovery strategy. Table 1 provides an overview of the status of performance indicators as of the end of the reporting period (2016 to 2023). Four of the 7 performance indicators were met/ongoing, 1 performance indicator was partially met/underway, and 2 performance indicators were not met. Performance indicators that were partially met or not met are discussed in the “Knowledge gaps and future priorities” section below.

a. Met: the performance indicator has been met and no further action is required
Met, ongoing: the performance indicator has been met, but efforts will continue until such time the population is considered to be recovered
Not met: the performance indicator has not been met, and little to no progress has been made
Partially met, underway: the performance indicator has not been met, but there has been moderate to significant progress made

1.2 Actions supporting the identification of critical habitat  

Critical habitat provides the features and attributes necessary to support the species’ life-cycle functions and achievement of the species’ population and distribution objectives. Critical habitat for the SbP was identified in the recovery strategy to the extent possible, using the best available information. The identification includes detail on its geographical locations (Lake Utopia and a stretch of each of the 3 SbP spawning streams) and biophysical components (section 8 and table 3 in the recovery strategy). Legal protection of critical habitat for the SbP was achieved on September 4, 2019, through the making of a Critical Habitat Order pursuant to subsections 58(4) and (5) of SARA.

The recovery strategy includes a schedule of studies outlining 3 studies required to refine existing critical habitat for the SbP and identify new critical habitat necessary to promote the continued survival of the sympatric species pair. Table 2 provides an overview of the status of these studies.

a. Completed: the study has been carried out and concluded
In progress: the planned study is underway and has not concluded
Not started: the study has been planned but has yet to start
Cancelled: the planned study will not be started or completed

1.3 Key knowledge gaps and future priorities for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt

Progress has been made toward implementing the LURS recovery strategy during this reporting period (2016 to 2023). Future research priorities include ongoing annual monitoring of all known spawning streams to confirm usage and expanding periodic mark-recapture surveys to confirm achievement of abundance targets. Broadened techniques and new monitoring methodologies will aim to: improve the understanding of genetic differentiation and hybridization; estimate the contribution of each spawning stream to the total SbP spawner abundance; track individual LbP movements during spawning; and detect use of other potentially suitable spawning locations by LbP and SbP. Threats such as predation from invasive species and landlocked Atlantic salmon will continue to be evaluated. Greater consideration will be given to logistical and environmental factors that have previously limited progress on unmet performance indicators (for example, spring flood conditions, navigating remote and difficult terrain at night, human resources to simultaneously assess all 3 SbP spawning streams). Expanded sampling across all SbP spawning streams in addition to improved quantification of the use of Mill Lake Stream by SbP will strengthen future genetic analyses to assess changes in genetic variation between the SbP and LbP (DFO 2024). To overcome challenges with assessing the rate of hybridization between the 2 LURS populations, the establishment of a repeatable methodology is first required for detecting a trend in genetic variation over the long term; a more readily, measurable performance indicator by which short-term genetic change is easily detectable will also be developed.

To protect the species pair and their habitat, consideration will be given to mitigating threats to the riparian zones of spawning streams and lakeshore through increased protection and restoration. Threats caused by extreme and rapid water level fluctuations during spawning season should be mitigated through collaborations with industry, landowners, and partners in forest-watershed management to improve policies and practices. Amending the LURS recovery strategy and updating the action plan to account for new information, including the SARA listing of the LbP and status reclassification of both populations is also a priority.

Indigenous, environmental non-governmental organizations and academic partners have played a vital role in advancing research and monitoring, and these existing collaborations will continue to be strengthened. New partnerships should be explored through engagement with industries, local landowners, and lake users to better understand and minimize emergent and cumulative threats, such as habitat degradation and the spread of aquatic invasive species.

2 Concluding statement

During the reporting period, progress was made toward implementing the research and management activities identified in the recovery strategy for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt.

DFO remains committed to the recovery of all aquatic species at risk. The work that has been initiated and completed to date has built a strong foundation for the continued management of the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt. DFO and its partners will continue to work towards the achievement of the population and distribution objectives for Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt, and welcome the participation of additional partners.

3 References

• Abes F. 2022. Monitoring Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt 2022 field report. Eastern Charlotte Waterways. 12 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• Abes F. 2023. Monitoring Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt 2023 field report. Eastern Charlotte Waterways. 13 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• Bentzen, P. 2024. Genetic analyses and population assignment of Rainbow Smelt sampled from Lake Utopia, NB in 2023. Dalhousie University. 17 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• Bradbury, I. Bradford, R. and Bentzen, P. 2011. Genetic and phenotypic diversity and divergence in sympatric Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt, Osmerus mordax. DFO Canadian Scientific Advisory Secretariat Research Document. 2011/008 vi + 28pp.
  Bradford, R.G., Bentzen, P., and Bradbury, I. 2012. Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) Status, Trends, Habitat Considerations and Threats. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2012/124. 1v + 42 pp.
• Campbell, L. 2019. Aquatic invasive species & species at risk: What is going on in Lake Utopia & Blacketts Lake? Examining food web dynamics of Chain Pickerel, Yellow Lampmussel & Small-Bodied Rainbow Smelt. Saint Mary’s University. 20 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• COSEWIC. 2008. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Rainbow Smelt, Lake Utopia large-bodied population and small-bodied population Osmerus mordax in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 28 pp.
• COSEWIC. 2018. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Rainbow Smelt Osmerus mordax, Lake Utopia large-bodied population and the Lake Utopia small-bodied population, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xvi + 40 pp.
• DFO 2011. Recovery potential assessment for Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) designatable units. DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Science Response. 2011/004. 18 pp.
• DFO. 2016a. Recovery Strategy for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Small-bodied Population (sympatric with the Large-bodied Population), in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. viii + 57 pp.
• DFO. 2016b. Estimating Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) Spawner Abundance and Allowable Harm. DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Science Response 2016/024. 11 pp.
• DFO. 2018. Updated Estimate of Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Large-bodied Population, Spawner Abundance and Allowable Harm. DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Science Response. 2018/019. 15 pp.
• DFO. 2020. Action Plan for the Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax), Small-bodied Population (Sympatric with the Large-bodied Population), in Canada. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. vi+ 36 pp.
• DFO. 2021. Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt, Small-bodied Population (LURS-SbP) Population Abundance and Allowable Harm Estimate. DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Science Response. 2021/037. 13 pp.
• DFO. 2024. Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt, Large-bodied Population (LURS-LbP): Updated Population Abundance and Genetic Analyses. DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Science Response. 2024/031. 10 pp.
• ECW. 2019. LURS 2019 monitoring field notes and data sheets. Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. Unpublished data submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• Forbes, C. 2022. Identifying the presence of invasive fish in species at risk spawning habitat in Lake Utopia tributaries. Eastern Charlotte Waterways. 6 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• Jackson, B., personal communication, 2020. Email correspondence to R. Brennin Houston. August 2020. Secretary, Lake Utopia Preservation Association, Lake Utopia, New Brunswick. 
• MacDonald, D. 2017a. Evaluation of spawning habitat requirements for a sympatric pair of large and small bodied populations of Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt. Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 3193. v + 47pp.
• MacDonald D. 2017b. 2016 Investigating acoustic technology applications for refining lake critical habitat of Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt. 25 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• MacDonald, D. and Burbidge, C. 2017. Protocols for monitoring spawning populations of Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax). Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 3195. iv + 51 pp. 
• McAlpine, D.F. and A. Karstad. 2024. Freshwater Fishes of Conservation Significance in Maritime Canada: A Fisheries Guide in Wolastoqey-Peskotomuhkati, Mi’kmaw, French and English. New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ottawa, Canada. 44 pp.
• PRGI. 2020. LURS 2020 monitoring field notes and data sheets. Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc. Unpublished data submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• PRGI. 2021. LURS 2021 monitoring field notes and data sheets. Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc. Unpublished data submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• PRGI. 2022a. LURS – Little Otter Brook survey. Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc. 1pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• PRGI. 2022b. Rainbow Smelt Daytime Observation Summary 2022. Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc. 6pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• PRGI. 2023. Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt Daytime Observation Summary 2023. Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc. 8 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• Sharman, J.P. and Mawer, K. 2022. Monitoring protocol for assessing the spatiotemporal usage of spawning habitat by Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt – Large-bodied Population (LURS-LbP) in the Trout Lake-Spear Brook System. Eastern Charlotte Waterways. 50 pp. Report submitted to DFO, Maritimes Region.
• St. George Power Limited Partnership. 2020. Fisheries Management Plan for the St. George Power Limited Partnership Facility. St. George Power Limited Partnership. St. George, New Brunswick. 18pp.
• Themelis, D. 2018. Pre-COSEWIC Assessment for Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) Small-bodied and Large-bodied Populations. DFO Canadian Scientific Advisory Secretariat Research Document 2018/025. v + 27 pp.