Species at risk: posting plans for recovery documents
As part of the Government’s commitment to preserve Canada’s biodiversity, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Parks Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are working towards ensuring more timely and effective protection of species at risk by completing pending recovery documents.
Under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the competent Minister(s) must post a recovery strategy on the Species at Risk Public Registry within 1 year of listing a species as endangered on Schedule 1 of SARA and within 2 years of listing a species as extirpated or threatened. A management plan must be posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry within 3 years of listing a species as special concern on SARA Schedule 1. The competent Minister(s) in respect of a recovery strategy must prepare one or more action plans on the Species at Risk Public Registry based on the recovery strategy.
When SARA came fully into force in 2004, a backlog of species requiring recovery documents was created. Publishing Recovery Document Posting Plans on the Species at Risk Public Registry is intended to provide transparency to partners, stakeholders, and the public about the Government of Canada’s plan to develop and post recovery documents to address the backlog.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for leading the development of recovery strategies and management plans for 334 of the 521 species currently listed on Schedule 1 of SARA. As of April 2014, proposed recovery strategies or management plans for 189 species under the responsibility of Environment and Climate Change Canada have not yet been posted. An additional three species were added to Schedule 1 of SARA as announced on December 17, 2014. Environment and Climate Change Canada has developed an expedited plan to post proposed recovery strategies and management plans for these 192 species over three years in a prioritized manner based on consideration of immediate threats and population declines as well as program priorities and information availability.
Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada Agency is responsible for leading the development of recovery strategies and management plans for 76 of the 521 species currently listed on Schedule 1 of SARA, primarily ones that occur on lands and waters the Agency administers. As of November 2014, one proposed recovery strategy under the responsibility of Parks Canada has not yet been posted. The Agency is also responsible for action planning for all species at risk occurring on these federal lands and waters. Parks Canada Agency will continue its leadership on recovery implementation and protection of species at risk, using a management approach which integrates conservation, public outreach, and visitor experience.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is accountable for 111 of the 518 species listed under SARA. As of February 2016, proposed recovery strategies, management plans and action plans for 57 of those species have not yet been posted to the Species at Risk Public Registry. An additional 23 aquatic species have proposed management or action plans coming due in the future.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has developed a plan for posting proposed documents for 64 species on the Species at Risk Public Registry over the next year.
Page details
- Date modified: