Gros Morne National Park of Canada, 2016 to 2021: action plan implementation report 2021

Official title: Implementation Report: Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park of Canada (2016 to 2021)

Preface

The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996)^{Footnote 2}  agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. Under the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), one or more action plan(s) provides the detailed recovery planning that supports the strategic direction set out in the recovery strategy for SARA-listed Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species. Parks Canada multi-species action plans address a suite of species of conservation concern within one or more Parks Canada managed areas, including species that require an action plan under SARA.

The Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency (the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change) is the competent minister under SARA for the species found in Gros Morne National Park of Canada and in 2016 published the Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne Island National Park.

Under section 55 of SARA, the federal competent minister must monitor the implementation of an action plan and the progress towards meeting its objectives, and assess and report on its implementation and its ecological and socio-economic impacts five years after the plan comes into effect. A copy of the report must be included in the Species at Risk Public Registry. The Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency has prepared this Implementation Report: Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park of Canada (2016-2021).

The achievement of population and distribution objectives identified within the recovery strategy or management plan for a species may require a long time frame. In these cases, a five-year reporting window may not be sufficient to show demonstrable progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives identified for that species within a Parks Canada site-based action plan. Parks Canada monitors, evaluates and, as necessary, adapts measures taken to achieve species survival or recovery, and will report on progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives every five years.

Acknowledgments

Parks Canada would like to acknowledge those who have contributed to implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park of Canada. Thanks are extended to: Parks Canada staff members Darroch Whitaker, Holly Lightfoot, Gabrielle Robineau Charette, Jake Burton, Scott Taylor, Shawn Gerrow, Margie Wilkes, Greg Knott, Ray Reid, Tom Knight, Randy Thompson (ret.), Carson Wentzell (ret.), Jennifer Hoffman, Noah Campbell and Darien Ure. In addition, thanks are extended to Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation and Miawpukek First Nation; Jordi Segers, Scott McBurney and Tessa McBurney (Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative); and Erin Fraser, Darrian Washinger, Ian Warkentin and Jenna McDermott (Memorial University, Grenfell Campus).

Executive summary

This document reports on implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park of Canada between 2016 and 2021. It reports on implementation of measures identified in the plan, assesses progress towards meeting site-based population and distribution objectives and evaluates socio-economic impacts.

Species addressed^{Footnote 3}

The action plan addressed 11 SARA-listed species and three species of conservation concern. Measures and site-based population and distribution objectives identified within the action plan were focused on two species, for which management actions within Gros Morne National Park could have a substantive impact on species survival or recovery: Piping plover (melodus subspecies) and American marten, Newfoundland population.

Implementation of the action plan

9 measures (recovery actions) were identified in the multi-species action plan. Implementation of the action plan is assessed by determining progress towards completing each measure and is outlined in Section 2 of this report. During the five-year period, all 9 measures were initiated^{Footnote 5}  and 9 were completed. An additional 4 measures identified in the action plan were implemented because resources and/or partnerships became available to support the work.

Ecological impacts

2 site-based, population and distribution objectives (PDOs) were developed in the action plan; however, one was not applicable as the species (Piping Plover) did not breed within the site over the last 5 years. Ecological impacts are assessed by measuring progress towards achieving the site-based population and distribution objectives and are outlined in Section 4. The one objective that was implemented was fully achieved.

Socio-economic impacts

The measures proposed in the action plan had limited socio-economic impact and placed no restrictions on land outside the boundary of the national park. Direct costs of implementing this action plan were borne by Parks Canada. Indirect costs were minimal while benefits included positive impacts on park ecological integrity, greater awareness of species and enhanced opportunities for engagement of visitors, local communities and Indigenous groups.

1. Context

This document reports on implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park of Canada^{Footnote 6}  between 2016 and 2021, assesses progress towards meeting its population and distribution objectives, and evaluates its socio-economic impacts. It addresses 14 species, including 7 SARA-listed Extirpated, Endangered, and Threatened species (for which an action plan is required) as well as four SARA-listed Special Concern species^{Footnote 7} .

Site-based population and distribution objectives were developed for two species for which implementation measures within Gros Morne National Park could have a substantive impact on recovery: Piping plover (melodus subspecies) and American marten (Newfoundland population).

2. Implementation of the action plan

Implementation of the Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park of Canada is assessed by measuring progress towards completing the recovery measures identified in the action plan (Table 1). Refer to the original action plan^{Footnote 6}   for a description of each measure, the desired outcomes, and the threats that each measure addresses.

Additional measures were identified in the action plan that would be beneficial to complete should resources become available. Table 2 describes the actions that Gros Morne National Park was able to initiate during 2016 and 2021. Measures from the action plan that were not initiated will be carried forward for consideration in a revised action plan.

3. Action plan highlights

American marten (Newfoundland pop.) population estimate

The key threats to this population identified in the Recovery Strategy^{Footnote 9}  are incidental mortality from snaring and trapping and habitat loss and degradation. These are relevant in GMNP because residents are permitted to snare Snowshoe Hare and browsing by hyper-abundant moose may have led to habitat degradation.

Population and distribution objectives for GMNP (based on national objectives^{Footnote 9} ):

1. Short-term goal: Maintain occupancy of potential marten habitat at current level
2. Long-term goal: Maintain or increase occupancy of potential marten habitat

Trend in GMNP:

Increasing: Population of marten in GMNP presumed extirpated through 1990s, estimated as <5 in 2001–2002, 15–20 in 2012 and 26-36 individuals in 2017.

Population monitoring:

Monitoring consisted of presence (occupancy) detection in suitable habitat units using winter track transects supplemented with observations obtained through hair trapping, incidental sightings and citizen science monitoring.

Results:

Hair samples collected in 2016-2017 in marten suitable habitat confirmed the presence of 20 individuals in GMNP. A marten habitat model developed based on the description of critical habitat presented in the recovery strategy shows that over 30% of the park is suitable marten habitat.

4. Ecological impacts

Ecological impacts of the action plan are assessed by measuring progress towards meeting the site-based population and distribution objectives described in the action plan (Table 3). See the original action plan for national Population and Distribution Objectives (where available) and General Information and Broad Park Approach for each species.

These additional species were considered in the Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park^{Footnote 10} , however no population and distribution objectives were developed for them: Red Crossbill (Endangered), Red Knot (Endangered), Olive-sided Flycatcher (Threatened), Harlequin Duck, Rusty Blackbird, and Short Eared Owl (all Special Concern). Most are occasional visitors to the park and GMNP is of limited importance to the species' national recovery. There is no systematic survey effort for most of these species however, the park Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program assesses Red Crossbill through the ongoing winter forest bird surveys as well as Harlequin Duck through ongoing population size and productivity surveys at 5-year intervals. While no Red Crossbill were detected during winter bird surveys in 2016, 2017 and 2021, 20 Harlequin Ducks (8 pairs and four individuals) were observed along four rivers in GMNP during the 2018 survey. Population monitoring of the remainder of species is through opportunistic recording of observations.

5. Socio-economic impacts

The Species at Risk Act requires the responsible federal minister to report on the socio-economic costs of the multi-species action plan (MSAP) and the benefits derived from its implementation. The MSAP only applies to protected lands and waters under the authority of the Parks Canada Agency, which are often subject to fewer threats (e.g., industrial activities) compared to other areas as the lands are managed to preserve ecological and commemorative integrity. This section does not include socio-economic impacts of existing permitted activities that may be occurring in Parks Canada places as those have been addressed through other processes (e.g., impact assessments). This socio-economic assessment is narrow in scope, as it is focused on the measures implemented within the action plan, and primarily focuses on Indigenous partners, leaseholders, licensees, residents and visitors. The overall socio-economic impacts of the multi-species action plan for Gros Morne National Park, described as costs and benefits, are outlined below.

Costs

The majority of costs to implement the action plan were borne by Parks Canada out of existing salaries and goods and services dollars. This includes incremental salary costs, materials, equipment, and contracting of professional services for measures outlined in Tables 3 (Recovery measures that will be conducted by Gros Morne National Park) and 4 (Other recovery measures that will be encouraged through partnerships or when additional resources become available) of the action plan. Action plan measures were integrated into the operational management of Gros Morne National Park. These costs to the Parks Canada Agency were covered by prioritization of existing funds and salary dollars and did not result in additional costs to society.

No major socio-economic costs to partners, stakeholders or Indigenous groups were incurred as a result of this action plan. The action plan applies only to lands and waters in Gros Morne National Park, and did not bring any restrictions to land use outside the national park. As such, this action plan placed no extraneous socio-economic costs on the public. No restrictions were required on visitor activities on regulated lands to protect and recover species at risk. However, local residents with snaring permits for Snowshoe Hare are required to use brass snare wire. Some may see this as a negative restriction, although most people are supportive of the requirement and willingly comply.

Benefits

Measures presented in the action plan for Gros Morne National Park contributed to meeting recovery and population and distribution objectives for Threatened and Endangered species, and also contributed to meeting management objectives for species of Special Concern. These measures are expected to have an overall positive impact on ecological integrity and enhance opportunities for appreciation of the sites and the species by visitors and the general public, resulting in positive impacts on biodiversity and the value individuals place on preserving biodiversity.

The measures sought a balanced approach to reducing or eliminating threats to species at risk populations and habitats, and included protection of individuals and their habitat, species re-establishment, and increasing public awareness and stewardship. These measures had an overall positive impact on ecological integrity in GMNP.

In particular, the moose population reduction program in GMNP is helping to restore forest habitat and promote natural forest regeneration and biodiversity. This in turn supports the expansion of the American Marten population. Additionally, snaring regulations have mitigated the risk of marten being caught and killed in Snowshoe Hare snares in the cutting blocks. Bat boxes have also been installed at several campgrounds and day use areas throughout the park to provide secure roosting sites in or near renovated buildings.

Potential economic benefits of the recovery of the species at risk found in these sites cannot be easily quantified, as many of the values derived from wildlife are non-market commodities that are difficult to appraise in financial terms. Wildlife, in all its forms, has value in and of itself, and is valued by Canadians for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual, recreational, educational, historical, economic, medical, ecological and scientific reasons. The conservation of wildlife at risk is an important component of the Government of Canada's commitment to conserving biological diversity, and is important to Canada's current and future economic and natural wealth.

To this end, the park has worked to:

1. Raise awareness of the importance of Species at Risk to the region and how the park and visitors can help protect them
2. Engage and inform hundreds of local students and the public on Little Brown Myotis and American Eel through Species at Risk interpretation events
3. Share data and information products with regional conservation partners to better understand and protect Species at Risk that move in and out of GMNP lands
4. Further develop relationships and partnerships with Qalipu Mi'kmaq and Miawpukek First Nations, weaving Indigenous Knowledge into recovery actions with a focus on the recovery of culturally important species such as American Eel

Summary

The measures proposed in the action plan had limited socio-economic impact and placed no restrictions on land outside the boundary of the national park. Direct costs of implementing this action plan were borne by Parks Canada. Indirect costs were minimal, while benefits included positive impacts on park ecological integrity, greater awareness of species and enhanced opportunities for engagement of visitors, local communities and Indigenous groups.