Spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) recovery strategy: chapter 2

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2. Recovery

• 2.1 Recovery feasibility
• 2.2 Recovery goal
• 2.3 Population and distribution objective(s)
• 2.4 Recovery objectives
• 2.5 Approaches recommended to meet recovery objectives
  • 2.5.1 Recovery planning
• 2.6 Performance measures
• 2.7 Critical habitat
  • 2.7.1 Identification of the spotted gar’s critical habitat
  • 2.7.2 Information and methods used to identify critical habitat
  • 2.7.3 Identification of critical habitat: biophysical functions, features and their attributes
  • 2.7.4 Identification of critical habitat: geospatial
    • 2.7.4.1 Population Viability
  • 2.7.5 Schedule of studies to identify/refine critical habitat
  • 2.7.6 Examples of activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat
• 2.8 Existing and recommended approaches to habitat protection
• 2.9 Effects on other species
• 2.10 Recommended approach for recovery implementation
• 2.11 Statement on action plans

The following goals, objectives and recovery approaches were adapted from the Essex-Erie Recovery Strategy (EERT 2008), which includes the three extant populations of spotted gar within the coastal wetlands of Lake Erie.

2.1 Recovery feasibility

The recovery of the spotted gar is considered to be both biologically and technically feasible. The following feasibility criteria^Footnote 1 have been met for the species:

1. Are individuals capable of reproduction currently available to improve the population growth or population abundance?

   Yes. Reproducing populations currently exist within the Canadian range of the species (e.g., Point Pelee National Park and Rondeau Bay).
   

2. Is sufficient habitat available to support the species or could it be made available through habitat management or restoration?

   Yes. Sufficient habitat appears to be present at one or more locations with extant populations.
   

3. Can significant threats to the species or its habitats be avoided or mitigated through recovery actions?

   Yes. Significant threats such as sedimentation and nutrient enrichment, increased levels of turbidity and loss of wetland habitat can be mitigated through established restoration methods.
   

4. Do the necessary recovery techniques exist and are they demonstrated to be effective?

   Yes. Techniques to reduce identified threats (e.g., Best Management Practices [BMPs] to reduce sedimentation and nutrient enrichment) and restore wetland habitats are well known and proven to be effective.

The effort expended to achieve recovery will not be uniform across all populations. Locations with extirpated or reduced populations may require substantial effort to improve habitat and possibly repatriate populations.

2.2 Recovery goal

The long-term recovery goal (greater than 20 years) is to protect, enhance and maintain viable spotted gar populations within the three coastal wetlands of Lake Erie where extant populations occur.

The present long-term recovery goal is based on current information. If additional extant populations (e.g., East Lake, Hamilton Harbour) of the spotted gar are found and/or repatriating an extirpated population is deemed to be feasible, the recovery goal will be revised.

2.3 Population and distribution objective(s)

Over the next five year period, the population and distribution objective is to maintain current distributions and densities of extant populations of spotted gar in the three coastal wetlands of Lake Erie (Point Pelee National Park, Rondeau Bay and Long Point Bay/Big Creek National Wildlife Area (NWA)). More quantifiable objectives relating to individual populations are not possible at this time, but will be developed once the necessary sampling and studies have been completed (Refer to the Schedule of Studies in Section 2.7.5 for anticipated timelines). Such knowledge gaps will be addressed by recovery actions given ‘urgent’ priority that are included in the recovery planning approaches.

2.4 Recovery objectives

In support of the long-term goal, the following short/medium-term recovery objectives will be addressed over a 5-10 year period:

1. Refine population and distribution objectives;
2. Ensure adequate protection of critical habitat;
3. Determine long-term population and habitat trends;
4. Identify threats, evaluate their relative impacts and implement remedial actions to reduce their effects;
5. Enhance efficiency of recovery efforts;
6. Enhance quality and extent of available habitat;
7. Improve overall awareness and appreciation of the spotted gar and the coastal wetland habitats that support it; and,
8. Engage landowners, communities and organizations in stewardship actions that minimize/eliminate identified threats to spotted gar and its habitat.

2.5 Approaches recommended to meet recovery objectives

2.5.1 Recovery planning

The overall approaches recommended to meet the recovery objectives have been organized into three categories represented by the following tables: research and monitoring (Table 4); management and coordination (Table 5); and, stewardship, outreach and awareness (Table 6). Each table presents specific steps with a ranking of priority (urgent, necessary, beneficial), a link to the recovery objectives, a listing of the broad approach, a description of the threat addressed, and suggested outcomes or deliverables to measure progress. A narrative following each table is included when further explanation of specific approaches is warranted. Implementation of the following approaches will be accomplished in coordination with the Essex-Erie Recovery Team (EERT) and its associated implementation groups.

Background targeted surveys (R1-R2)

Focused efforts are required to determine the spotted gar’s current distribution in areas of extant and historical occurrence as well as directed searches to detect new populations in high probability locations (such as Turkey Point, Hamilton Harbour, East Lake). Sampling methods should be standardized at all sites and include a relevant assessment of habitat characteristics. Recent surveys by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) have indicated that both active (boat electrofishing) and passive (fyke and trap nets) sampling methods were successful in capturing spotted gar in southwestern Ontario (Mandrak et al. 2006b).

Monitoring populations and habitat: (R3)

Monitoring populations and habitat will assist with identifying key habitat requirements needed to identify and refine critical habitat, as well as the implementation of strategies to protect known currently occupied and historically occupied habitats. The monitoring program should be designed to allow for quantitative tracking of changes in population abundance and demographics, analyses of habitat use and availability, and changes in these parameters over time (with regard to known threats). It should also have the ability to detect the presence and abundance of exotic species (e.g., fishes and plants), prey species and other top predators such as the longnose gar. The fish monitoring protocol should have regard for the methodologies used in background survey work and provide guidance on the time of sampling and the types of biological samples that should be collected (e.g., fin rays, length and weight).

Stewardship and habitat initiatives (S2)

Large-scale efforts to improve the habitat quality of occupied coastal wetland habitats will be required at some locations (such as Rondeau Bay). Emphasis should be placed on improving habitat required for juvenile spotted gar as it is believed that this life-stage has the most influence on population growth (Ferrara 2001, Young and Koops 2010). It will be necessary to engage landowners, local communities, First Nations and stewardship councils on the issues of spotted gar recovery, ecosystem and environmental health, clean water protection, nutrient management, BMPs, stewardship projects and associated financial incentives. Towards this end, the recovery team will work closely with other relevant groups/agencies and the EERT, which is currently involved with stewardship programs directed towards the improvement of coastal wetlands habitats.

Implementation of BMPs (S3)

The implementation of BMPs will be largely facilitated through established programs of the EERT and associated groups such as Stewardship Kent and the Long Point Region Conservation Authority. To be effective, BMPs should be targeted to address the primary threats affecting currently occupied/critical habitat. BMPs implemented will include those relating to the establishment of riparian buffers, soil conservation, septic improvements to prevent nutrient run-off, herd management, nutrient and manure management and tile drainage within watersheds impacting occupied coastal wetlands. Such BMPs result in reductions in erosion and sediment and nutrient loadings into adjacent watercourses, thereby improving water quality. EFPs prioritize BMP implementation at the level of individual farms and are often a pre-requisite for funding programs. For more information on BMPs, see the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs, Best Management Practices Series.

Awareness – incidental harvest (S6)

Although this activity is currently underway (see Section 1.6), additional effort may be warranted. The effectiveness of the awareness program will be monitored and will inform future recovery approaches. Messaging should highlight the value of the spotted gar and the important role it plays within local freshwater ecosystems.

2.6 Performance measures

The success of implementing the recommended recovery approaches will be evaluated primarily through routine population (distribution and abundance) and habitat (quality and quantity) surveys and monitoring. During the next five years, quantifiable targets will be established for the spotted gar. The recovery strategy will be reviewed in five years to evaluate progress made toward short-term and long-term targets, and the current goals and objectives will be reviewed within an adaptive management planning framework with input from the EERT.

The performance measures to evaluate recovery progress in meeting the recovery objectives are presented in Table 7.

2.7 Critical habitat

2.7.1 Identification of the spotted gar’s critical habitat

The identification of critical habitat for Threatened and Endangered species (on Schedule 1) is a requirement of the SARA. Once identified, SARA includes provisions to prevent the destruction of critical habitat. Critical habitat is defined under section 2(1) of SARA as:

SARA defines habitat for aquatic species at risk as:

For the spotted gar, critical habitat has been identified to the extent possible, using the best available information. The critical habitat identified in this recovery strategy describes the geospatial areas that contain the habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of the species. The current areas identified may be insufficient to achieve the population and distribution objectives for the species. As such, a schedule of studies has been included to further refine the description of critical habitat (in terms of its biophysical functions/features/attributes as well as its spatial extent) to support its protection.

2.7.2 Information and methods used to identify critical habitat

Using the best available information, critical habitat has been identified using a "bounding box" approach for the three coastal wetlands where the species presently occurs. This approach requires the use of essential functions, features and attributes for each life-stage of the spotted gar to identify patches of critical habitat within the "bounding box", which is defined by occupancy data for the species. Life-stage habitat information is summarized in chart form using available data and studies referred to in Section 1.4.1 (Habitat and biological needs). The "bounding box" approach was the most appropriate given the limited information available for the species and the lack of detailed habitat mapping for these areas. Where habitat information was available (e.g., Ecological Land Classification [ELC], bathymetry data), it was used to inform identification of critical habitat. Specific methods and data used to identify critical habitat (such as the use of ELC) are summarized below (for more detailed information refer to Appendix 2).

Point Pelee National Park: Critical habitat was identified for spotted gar within the ponds of Point Pelee National Park using data from the following datasets: Surette (2006), Razavi (2006), A.-M. Cappelli (unpublished data, 2009), and B. Glass (unpublished data, 2009), as well as photographic documentation in 2007 (S. Staton, pers. obs.). Pond names were taken from the National Topographic System (NTS) series of maps.

Rondeau Bay: Datasets from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) database for the period from 1955 to 2004, as well as the extensive capture (total of 210 specimens) and tracking data from 2007 (B. Glass, UW, unpublished data) were used in the identification of critical habitat in Rondeau Bay. Within Rondeau Provincial Park, critical habitat was refined using available ELC data for the park. ELC assesses the distribution and groupings of plant species and attempts to understand them according to ecosystem patterns and processes. It also helps to establish patterns among vegetation, soils, geology, landform and climate, at different scales. Using the factors relating to geology, soils, physiography and vegetation, ELC can be used to map vegetation communities at varying organizational scales (Lee et al. 1998, Lee et al. 2001). Spotted gar capture locations within the park were compared with the park ELC data (Dobbyn and Pasma, in prep.) to determine the wetland vegetation types used by the species. All areas containing these ELC types were initially included as critical habitat; however, aquatic habitats that were isolated from the waters of the bay were excluded as these areas are inaccessible to spotted gar.

Long Point Bay/Big Creek National Wildlife Area (NWA): Limited data are available for the spotted gar population in Long Point Bay; there are currently 11 records for spotted gar in Inner Long Point Bay, the most recent of which is from 2010 (B. Glass, unpublished data). Capture data for Big Creek NWA (connected to Long Point Bay) areas were taken from one location (L. Bouvier, DFO, pers. comm. 2008).

Critical habitat was identified in these areas using ELC, as the wetland (including marsh, meadow marsh, shallow marsh, common reed, floating-leaved and mixed shallow aquatic, and thicket swamp ELC community classes) and aquatic (less than 2 m depths including open aquatic, submerged shallow aquatic, and open-submerged-floating-leaved, mixed ELC community classes) within Big Creek NWA, Inner Long Point Bay and the mouth of Big Creek.

Population Viability:
Comparisons of the area of critical habitat identified for each population were made with estimates of the spatial requirements for a minimum sustainable population size. The minimum area for population viability (MAPV) for each life-stage of the spotted gar was estimated for populations in Canada (refer to Section 2.7.4). The MAPV is defined as the amount of exclusive and suitable habitat required for a demographically sustainable recovery target based on the concept of a minimum viable population size (MVP) (Vélez-Espino et al. 2008). Therefore, the MAPV is a quantitative metric of critical habitat that can assist with the recovery and management of species at risk (Vélez-Espino et al. 2008). The estimated MVP for adult spotted gar is approximately 14 000 individuals and the associated MAPV is estimated to be 35 km², given a 15% chance of a catastrophic event occurring per generation and an extinction threshold of 20 individuals (i.e., the adult population size below which the population is considered extinct). (For more information on the MVP and MAPV values for spotted gar refer to Young and Koops [2010].)

MAPV values are somewhat precautionary in that they represent the sum of habitat needs calculated for each life-history stage of the spotted gar; these figures do not take into account the potential for overlap in the habitat of the various life-history stages and may overestimate the area required to support an MVP. However, since many of these populations occur in areas of degraded habitat (MAPV assumes habitat quality is optimal), areas larger than the MAPV may be required to support an MVP. In addition, for some populations, it is likely that only a portion of the habitat within that identified as the critical habitat extent would meet the functional requirements of the species’ various life-stages.

2.7.3 Identification of critical habitat: biophysical functions, features and their attributes

There is limited information on the habitat needs for the various life stages of the spotted gar. Table 8 summarizes available knowledge on the essential functions, features and attributes for each life-stage (refer to section 1.4.1 Habitat and biological needs for full references). Areas identified as critical habitat must support one or more of these habitat functions.

Studies to further refine knowledge on the essential functions, features and attributes for various life-stages of the spotted gar are described in Section 2.7.5 (Schedule of studies to identify critical habitat).

2.7.4 Identification of critical habitat: geospatial

Using the best available information, critical habitat has been identified for spotted gar populations in the following areas:

1. Point Pelee National Park;
2. Long Point Bay/Big Creek NWA; and,
3. Rondeau Bay.

Areas of critical habitat identified at these locations may overlap with critical habitat identified for other co-occurring species at risk (e.g., Lake Chubsucker in Point Pelee National Park, Rondeau Bay and Long Point Bay); however, the specific habitat requirements within these areas may vary by species.

The areas delineated on the following maps (Figures 6-8) represent the area within which critical habitat is found at this time. Using the "bounding box" approach, critical habitat is not comprised of all areas within the identified boundaries, but only those areas where the specified biophysical features/attributes occur (refer to Table 8). Table 9 below provides the geographic coordinates that situate the boundaries within which critical habitat is found for the spotted gar at the three locations; these points are indicated on Figures figure6, figure7 and figure8. Note that permanent anthropogenic structures that are present within the delineated areas (e.g., boardwalks, marinas, pumping stations) are specifically excluded; it is understood that maintenance or replacement of these features may be required at times.

* Riverine habitats are delineated to the midpoint of channel of the uppermost stream segment and lowermost stream segment (i.e., two points only)
† Coordinates obtained using map datum NAD 83

A brief explanation for the areas identified as critical habitat is provided for each of the three areas below.

Point Pelee National Park The ponds within Point Pelee National Park, including Redhead Pond, Lake Pond, East Cranberry Pond, West Cranberry Pond, and Harrison Pond, are included in the area within which critical habitat is found. However, the watercraft passage between Harrison and Lake ponds, known as Thiessen Channel (Figure 6), is excluded from this critical habitat description. Thiessen Channel has been highly managed (modified and maintained) since at least 1922 to allow for watercraft passage from the western boundary of the marsh into Lake Pond, and the other connecting ponds (Battin and Nelson 1978).

Figure 6. Boundaries within which critical habitat for the spotted gar is found in Point Pelee National Park

Long Point Bay/Big Creek NWA: The area within which critical habitat is identified includes Big Creek NWA, the area around Inner Long Point Bay, and the mouth of Big Creek (Figure 7). The interior diked cell within Big Creek NWA where spotted gar have not been detected has been excluded (the diked cell is not accessible to spotted gar). The area within which critical habitat has been identified includes all contiguous waters and wetlands, excluding permanently dry areas, from the causeway west to and including all of Big Creek NWA to the low-head dike, except habitat contained within the interior diked cell within the NWA; Big Creek proper and all contiguous wetlands to the north of Big Creek are included. Within Inner Long Point Bay, the area within which critical habitat is identified extends north to the pier at Port Rowan and south, down to, but not including, the dredged channels of the marina complex (see Figure 7).

Figure 7. Boundaries within which critical habitat for the spotted gar is found in Long Point Bay/Big Creek NWA

Rondeau Bay: The area within which critical habitat for spotted gar is found in Rondeau Bay is currently identified as the waters and wetland areas (including seasonally flooded wetlands) of the entire bay (Figure 8). This includes the mouths of tributaries flowing into the bay, upstream to the point where a defined stream channel is observed. Within Rondeau Provincial Park, aquatic habitats that were isolated from the waters of the bay were excluded as these areas are inaccessible to spotted gar. In particular, the areas identified as wetlands to the east of Marsh Trail actually contain large sections of upland terrestrial habitats that isolate interior wetland pockets (i.e., sloughs) (S. Dobbyn, OMNR, pers. comm. 2009). Approximately half of the area within which critical habitat is identified, lies within Rondeau Provincial Park.

Figure 8. Boundaries within which critical habitat for the spotted gar is found in Rondeau Bay

The identification of critical habitat within Point Pelee National Park, Long Point Bay/Big Creek NWA, and Rondeau Bay ensures that currently occupied habitat supporting spotted gar is protected, until such time as critical habitat for the species is further refined according to the schedule of studies laid out in Section 2.7.5. The recovery team recommends to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans that these areas are necessary to achieve the identified survival and recovery objectives. The schedule of studies outlines activities necessary to refine the current critical habitat descriptions at confirmed extant locations, but will also apply to new locations with established populations should they be confirmed (e.g., East Lake, Hamilton Harbour). Critical habitat descriptions will be refined as additional information becomes available to support the population and distribution objectives.

2.7.4.1 Population viability

Comparisons were made with the extent of critical habitat identified for each population relative to the estimated MAPV (Table 10). It should be noted that for some populations, it is likely that only a portion of the habitat within that identified as the critical habitat would meet the functional habitat requirements of the species' various life-stages. In addition, since these populations occur in areas of degraded habitat (MAPV assumes habitat quality is optimal), areas larger than the MAPV may be required to support an MVP. Future studies may help quantify the amount and quality of available habitat within critical habitats for all populations; such information, along with the verification of the MAPV model, will allow greater certainty for the determination of population viability. As such, the results in Table 10 are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution.

2.7.5 Schedule of studies to identify/refine critical habitat

This recovery strategy includes an identification of critical habitat to the extent possible, based on the best available information. Further studies are required to refine critical habitat identified for the spotted gar to support the population and distribution objectives for the species. The activities listed in Table 11 are not exhaustive and it is likely that the process of investigating these actions may identify additional knowledge gaps that will need to be addressed.

Activities identified in this schedule of studies will be carried out through collaboration between DFO, PCA, EC-CWS, the EERT, First Nations and other relevant groups and land managers. Note that many of the individual recovery approaches will address some of the information requirements listed above.

2.7.6 Examples of activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat

Activities that increase siltation/turbidity levels and/or result in the removal of excessive amounts of native aquatic vegetation can negatively impact spotted gar habitat. However, in areas where nutrient loading has resulted in the extreme overgrowth of aquatic vegetation, small-scale vegetation removal may benefit the species. In these situations, dependent on site-specific reviews, small-scale vegetation removal projects using approved chemical and/or physical means may be allowed. Appendix 3 provides additional guidance on vegetation removal.

Without appropriate mitigation, direct destruction of habitat may result from work or activities such as those identified in Table 12.

The activities described in this table are neither exhaustive nor exclusive and have been guided by the General Threats described in Section 1.5 of the recovery strategy for the species. The absence of a specific human activity does not preclude, or fetter the department's ability to regulate it pursuant to SARA. Furthermore, the inclusion of an activity does not result in its automatic prohibition since it is destruction of critical habitat that is prohibited. Since habitat use is often temporal in nature, every activity is assessed on a case-by-case basis and site-specific mitigation is applied where it is reliable and available. In every case, where information is available, thresholds and limits are associated with attributes to better inform management and regulatory decision-making. However, in many cases the knowledge of a species and its critical habitat may be lacking and in particular, information associated with a species or habitat tolerance threshold to disturbances from anthropogenic activities, is not available and must be acquired.

The critical habitat for spotted gar will be legally protected through the application of subsection 58(1) of SARA, which prohibits the destruction of any part of the critical habitat of aquatic species listed as Endangered or Threatened, and of any part of the critical habitat of aquatic species listed as Extirpated if a recovery strategy has recommended their reintroduction into the wild in Canada.

Certain habitat management activities are recognized as being beneficial to the long-term survival and/or recovery of the species and may be allowed when required. Such activities may include the removal or control of exotic aquatic/semi-aquatic vegetation; water level management (including dike maintenance); and habitat restoration activities (e.g., fire management). For example, in NWAs, water levels may be managed and some aquatic vegetation may be removed to maintain hemi-marsh conditions (i.e., 50/50 emergent/open water habitat). Other restoration activities that improve the quality and/or quantity of available wetland habitat for the spotted gar may also be considered.

2.8 Existing and recommended approaches to habitat protection

Habitat of the spotted gar receives general protection from works or undertakings under the habitat protection provisions of the federal Fisheries Act. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) also considers the impacts of projects on all listed wildlife species and their critical habitat where it has been identified. During the CEAA review of a project, all adverse effects of the project on a listed species and its critical habitat must be identified. If the project is carried out, measures must be taken that are consistent with applicable recovery strategies or action plans to avoid or lessen those effects (mitigation measures) and to monitor those effects.

Critical habitat for the spotted gar located in both Point Pelee National Park and Big Creek NWA will be protected by the prohibition against destruction of critical habitat, pursuant to subsection 58(2) of the SARA, 90 days after the description of critical habitat, as identified in the recovery strategy, is published in the Canada Gazette. This prohibition provides additional protection to that already afforded and available under the Canada National Parks Act and Canada Wildlife Act, respectively, as well as the regulations associated with those statutes. Individuals of listed species at risk populations located on lands and in waters under the administration of the federal government also receive protection under SARA once the species is listed on Schedule 1 of SARA.

Provincially, protection is also afforded under the provincial Planning Act. Planning authorities are required to be “consistent with” the provincial Policy Statement under Section 3 of Ontario’s Planning Act, which prohibits development and site alteration in the habitat of regulated Endangered and Threatened species. Stream-side development in Ontario is managed through floodplain regulations enforced by local conservation authorities. Under the Public Lands Act, a permit may be required for work in the water and along the shore. The spotted gar is listed as a Threatened species under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007. Under the Act, the species itself is currently protected, and the habitat of the spotted gar will be protected under the general habitat protection provisions of the Act as of June 20, 2013, unless a species-specific habitat regulation is developed by the provincial government at an earlier date.

Existing populations of spotted gar in Lake Erie are found in Point Pelee National Park, Rondeau Provincial Park (which represents the eastern portion of the bay only), Long Point Bay (including the NWA), and Big Creek NWA, which affords the species some protection. Currently occupied habitat receives additional protection afforded to NWAs through the Canada Wildlife Act, and provincial parks through the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.

Currently, recommended high priority areas for stewardship include Rondeau Bay watersheds where land use impacts appear to be compromising habitat conditions within the bay.

2.9 Effects on other species

It is conceivable that increased populations of spotted gar could result in increased predation of other co-occurring fishes at risk (e.g., Grass Pickerel [Esox americanus vermiculatus], Lake Chubsucker, Pugnose Shiner [Notropis anogenus] and Warmouth [Lepomis gulosus]). However, the proposed recovery activities will benefit the environment in general and are expected to have a net positive effect on other sympatric native species. While there is potential for conflicts with other species at risk (aquatic and aquatic-dependent) during recovery implementation, this possibility will be minimized through strong coordination among the various recovery teams and groups/government agencies that may be working on species at risk and habitat management within the coastal wetland areas of Lake Erie. In addition, most stewardship and habitat improvement activities will be implemented through the Essex-Erie recovery initiative, which provides for a high awareness of other recovery programs. DFO, Environment Canada, and PCA recognize that an ecosystem approach to habitat management is necessary to ensure habitat management decisions address the needs of all species at risk within overlapping critical habitat areas (e.g., Least Bittern [Ixobrychus exilis], spotted gar, Lake Chubsucker).

2.10 Recommended approach for recovery implementation

This single species document is one component of recovery implementation for co-occurring species at risk found in the same location. The Ontario Freshwater Fish Recovery Team recommends making effective use of resources and reducing costs by coordinating efforts with relevant groups, the EERT and its associated RIGs in the areas where this species exists. The three coastal wetlands of Lake Erie inhabited by spotted gar have been identified by the EERT as primary core areas for directing recovery efforts to benefit this species. The EERT and its RIGs include representation from park agencies responsible for the management of these wetland habitats. This overlap of individuals affiliated with these plans will help ensure that recovery actions for the spotted gar mesh with existing park management plans. Although spotted gar is included in the Sydenham River recovery strategy (Dextrase et al. 2003), the original records for this watershed have since been deemed questionable (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada [COSEWIC] 2005).

2.11 Statement on action plans

Action plans are documents that describe the activities designed to achieve the recovery goals and objectives identified in recovery strategies. Under SARA, an action plan provides the detailed recovery planning that supports the strategic direction set out in the recovery strategy for the species. The plan outlines what needs to be done to achieve the recovery goals and objectives identified in the recovery strategy, including the measures to be taken to address the threats and monitor the recovery of the species, as well as the measures to protect critical habitat. Action plans offer an opportunity to involve many interests in working together to find creative solutions to recovery challenges.

One or more action plans relating to this recovery strategy will be produced within five years of the final strategy being posted to the SARA registry. These may include multi-species or ecosystem based action plans.