Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population; Lampetra richardsoni): Report on the progress of recovery strategy implementation for the period 2016 to 2021

Western Brook Lamprey
Western Brook Lamprey
Document information

Recommended citation: Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2022. Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population; Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada for the Period 2016 to 2021. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Report Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. vi + 17 pp.

For copies of the progress report, or for additional information on species at risk, including Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Status Reports, recovery strategies, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Cover illustration: Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population). Photo by Joy Wade.

Également disponible en français sous le titre :
« Rapport sur les progrès de la mise en œuvre du programme de rétablissement de la lamproie de l’ouest (Lampetra richardsoni), population du ruisseau Morrison, au Canada pour la période de 2016 à 2021 »

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2022. All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-0-660-45263-0
Catalogue no. En3-4/24-1-2022E-PDF

Content (excluding the cover illustration) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source.

Preface

The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996) agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for the protection of species at risk throughout Canada. Under section 46 of the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), the competent minister is responsible for reporting on the implementation of the recovery strategy for a species at risk, and on the progress towards meeting its objectives within 5 years of the date when the final recovery strategy was placed on the Species at Risk Public Registry, and in every subsequent 5-year period until its objectives have been achieved or the species’ recovery is no longer feasible.

Reporting on the progress of recovery strategy implementation requires reporting on the collective efforts of the competent minister, provincial and territorial governments, and all other parties involved in conducting activities that contribute to the species’ recovery. Recovery strategies identify broad strategies and approaches that will provide the best chance of ensuring the survival and recovery of species at risk. Some of the identified broad strategies and approaches are sequential to the progress or completion of others and not all may be undertaken or show significant progress during the timeframe of a report on the progress of recovery strategy implementation (progress report).

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is the competent minister under SARA for the Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population) and has prepared this progress report.

As stated in the preamble to SARA, success in the protection and recovery of species at risk depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in the recovery strategy and will not be achieved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada or any other jurisdiction alone. The cost of recovering and conserving species at risk is shared amongst different constituencies. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing the recovery strategy for the Western Brook Lamprey  (Morrison Creek population) for the benefit of the species and Canadian society as a whole.

Acknowledgments

This progress report was prepared by Zaynah Khan and Carrie Kwok with contributions from Maggie Boothroyd, Manon Morrissette, Heather Lamson, Paul Grant, Ahdia Hassan and Erin Gertzen (Fisheries and Oceans Canada [DFO]). To the extent possible, this report has been prepared with input from species expert Joy Wade (Fundy Aqua Services Inc.). DFO would also like to express its appreciations to all individuals and organizations who have contributed to the recovery of the Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population).

Executive summary

The Morrison Creek population of Western Brook Lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni), herein referred to as the Morrison Creek LampreyFootnote 1  , was listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003. The “Recovery Strategy for the Morrison Creek Lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni var. marifuga ) in Canada” was published on the Species at Risk Public Registry in 2007 (National Recovery Team for Morrison Creek Lamprey [NRTMCL] 2007). The latest assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2010 reconfirmed the species’ status as endangered (COSEWIC 2010).

The main threats identified in the recovery strategy for the Morrison Creek Lamprey include: land use, water use, water quality, alteration of prey base, climate change, research, and recreation (NRTMCL 2007).

The recovery goal for the Morrison Creek Lamprey is to secure its long-term viability within its natural range. It is likely that this population will always remain at some level of risk due to its extremely limited distribution.

The recovery objectives for the Morrison Creek Lamprey are to:

The “Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek Population; Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada for the Period 2016 to 2021” reports on the progress made by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and its partners towards implementing the recovery strategy and achieving its goal and objectives. During this time period, progress has been made in:

While progress has been made to increase scientific understanding of Morrison Creek Lamprey and address information gaps that inhibit conservation of the species, it is currently unknown if the recovery goal to secure the long-term viability of Morrison Creek Lamprey within its natural range has been achieved. Morrison Creek Lamprey continue to be encountered throughout their known range but current population abundance and trends are unknown. Significant threats to Morrison Creek Lamprey habitat continue to persist.

The work completed to date has built a foundation for continued research and management of this species over the next reporting period. High priority next steps may include: continuing to investigate presence and distribution of Morrison Creek Lamprey; clarifying knowledge gaps related to prey; conducting studies to assess connectivity and hydrological properties of Morrison Creek and its headwaters; and continuing to protect and restore important habitats.

DFO remains committed to ensuring the long-term viability of the Morrison Creek Lamprey within its natural range. The progress made to date would not have been possible without successful collaborations. DFO looks forward to continued collaboration and welcomes the participation of additional partners.

1 Introduction

The “Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population; Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada for the Period 2016 to 2021” (herein referred to as progress report) outlines the progress made towards meeting the recovery goal and objectives listed in the “Recovery Strategy for the Morrison Creek Lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni var. marifuga ) in Canada” (herein referred to as recovery strategy; NRTMCL 2007) during the indicated time period. The progress report is part of a series of documents for this species that are linked and should be taken into consideration together, including: the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) status reports (COSEWIC 2000, 2010), DFO 2018, the recovery strategy (NRTMCL 2007), the “Action Plan for the Western Brook Lamprey - Morrison Creek Population (Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada” (herein referred to as action plan; and the “Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Western Brook Lamprey – Morrison Creek Population (Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada for the Period 2007 to 2015” (DFO 2016).

Section 2 of the progress report summarizes key information on the threats to the species, recovery goal and objectives for achieving its recovery, approaches to meeting the objectives, and performance measures to measure the progress of recovery. For more details, readers should refer back to the recovery strategy (NRTMCL 2007). Section 3 reports on the progress of activities identified in the recovery strategy, to support achieving the recovery goal and objectives. Section 4 summarizes the progress toward achieving the recovery goal and objectives.

2 Background

2.1 COSEWIC assessment summary and threats to the species and its critical habitat

The listing of the Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population; Lampetra richardsoni), herein referred to as the Morrison Creek LampreyFootnote 2  , as endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003 was based on information provided in the 2000 COSEWIC report (COSEWIC 2000). Listing the species as endangered led to the publication of the recovery strategy (NRTMCL 2007). In 2010, COSEWIC re-examined and confirmed the status of the Morrison Creek Lamprey as endangered (COSEWIC 2010).

Assessment summary – April 2010

Common name
Western Brook Lamprey, Morrison Creek Population

Scientific name
Lampetra richardsoni

Status
Endangered

Reason for designation
This dimorphic population of lamprey is a small freshwater fish endemic to a small stream on eastern Vancouver Island. It is susceptible to habitat loss and degradation owing to its close proximity to a major highway and increasing urbanization in the watershed.

Occurrence
British Columbia

Status history
Designated threatened in April 1999. Status re–examined and designated endangered in May 2000 and in April 2010.

Section 3 of the recovery strategy provides information on the threats to Morrison Creek Lamprey’s survival and recovery. These threats include: land use, water use, water quality, alteration of prey base, climate change, research, and recreation.

Critical habitat for the Morrison Creek Lamprey was identified, to the extent possible, in section 2 of the action plan (DFO 2018). Protection of Morrison Creek Lamprey critical habitat from destruction was accomplished in 2019 through a SARA critical habitat order made under subsections 58(4) and (5), which invoked the prohibition in subsection 58(1) against the destruction of the identified critical habitat. Table 6 of the action plan also provides examples of activities that are likely to result in destruction of critical habitat (that is, threats to critical habitat); the list of activities provided is neither exhaustive nor exclusive, and their inclusion has been guided by the relevant threats to habitat described in the recovery strategy.

2.2 Recovery

This section summarizes the information found in the recovery strategy (NRTMCL 2007) on the recovery goal and objectives that are necessary for securing the long-term viability of Morrison Creek Lamprey within its natural range and on performance measures that provide a way to define and measure progress toward achieving the recovery goal and objectives.

Recovery goal

The recovery goal for Morrison Creek Lamprey is to secure its long-term viability within its natural range. It is likely that this population will always remain at some level of risk due to its extremely limited distribution.

Recovery objectives

The recovery objectives for Morrison Creek Lamprey are to:

Section 9 of the recovery strategy includes performance measures to define and measure progress towards achieving the recovery goal and objectives:

3 Progress towards recovery

The recovery strategy divides the recovery effort into 10 strategies. Progress in carrying out these strategies is reported in section 3.1 of this report. Section 3.2 reports on the activities identified in the schedule of studies to identify critical habitat. Section 3.3 reports on the progress made toward meeting the performance measures and other commitments (for example, action plan and critical habitat order) identified in the recovery strategy.

3.1 Activities supporting recovery

Table 1 provides information on the implementation of activities undertaken to address the strategies identified in the recovery planning table of the recovery strategy (NRTMCL 2007). A number of recovery activities were implemented prior to 2016 which have been documented in the “Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Western Brook Lamprey – Morrison Creek Population (Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada for the Period 2007 – 2015” (DFO 2016).

Table 1. Details of activities supporting the recovery of the Morrison Creek Lamprey from 2016 to 2021.
# Strategy Activity descriptions and results Participants a

1

Establish and support a Recovery Implementation Group (RIG) or alternative working group for Morrison Creek Lamprey

A Morrison Creek Lamprey RIG has not been established; however, broad watershed-based stewardship initiatives have been undertaken within the Morrison Creek watershed that contribute to the conservation and protection of the species.

The development and implementation of an action plan was identified in the recovery strategy as an action to be accomplished by the RIG. Although no RIG has been established, the Morrison Creek Lamprey action plan was developed by DFO with participants that attended an action planning workshop and community open-house, and posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry in November 2018 (DFO 2018). The record of cooperation and consultation is included in appendix B of the action plan

DFO, local governments, stakeholders, and stewardship groups

2

Address information gaps that inhibit conservation of Morrison Creek Lamprey

Research and field studies have helped address information gaps that inhibit conservation of Morrison Creek Lamprey, including:

  • confirmed presence of the Morrison Creek Lamprey in the headwaters of Morrison Creek, resulting in an improved knowledge of distribution (MacConnachie et al. 2017)
  • increased understanding of the hydrology of Morrison Creek headwaters through a review of existing literature, field assessments, mapping, and collection of hydrological data (Current Environmental Ltd. and Morrison Creek Streamkeepers 2020)
  • preliminary work has been completed to characterize spawning habitat for the Morrison Creek Lamprey

Current Environmental Ltd., DFO, Fundy Aqua Services Inc., Morrison Creek Streamkeepers

3

Clarify and address threats to Morrison Creek Lamprey

Work has been conducted to address the threats of land use, water use, and water quality, including:

  • A habitat remediation project was conducted in a 900 m reach of Arden Creek in 2021 to improve Morrison Creek Lamprey spawning and early rearing habitat. Completed activities included instream complexing, spawning gravel placement, removal of debris jams, riparian restoration, baseline surveys, and effectiveness monitoring
  • A portion of the headwaters of Morrison Creek was purchased by the Comox Valley Land Trust for conservation purposes and is under the management of the City of Courtenay. Ongoing work is being conducted to purchase the remaining headwaters and complete the Morrison Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve
  • Opportunistic identification of barriers to movement during trapping surveys (refer to row 6 in table 1) has led to mitigation through barrier removals, specifically log jam removals (Wade et al. 2021)

City of Courtenay, Comox Valley Land Trust, Current Environmental, DFO, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, Fundy Aqua Services Inc., Morrison Creek Streamkeepers, Pacific Salmon Foundation, School District 71

4

Conduct studies to help define critical habitat for Morrison Creek Lamprey

Critical habitat for Morrison Creek Lamprey was identified in the action plan to the extent possible, using the best available information. Critical habitat identification was informed by a peer review process undertaken by DFO’s Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS; DFO 2015, Wade et al. 2015). Table 2 summarizes details of completed studies to identify critical habitat.

DFO

5

Develop a watershed-scale sustainability plan that includes: 1) identification of key habitat, flow, and water quality values for lamprey, and 2) guidelines to avoid localized and watershed scale impacts, which can be incorporated into effective decision making

A watershed-scale sustainability plan has not been developed; however, the following activities were completed and may contribute to or inform a future plan:

  • increased understanding of the hydrology of Morrison Creek headwaters through a review of existing literature, field assessments, mapping, and collection of hydrological data (Current Environmental Ltd. and Morrison Creek Streamkeepers 2020)
  • protection of Morrison Creek Lamprey’s critical habitat within the entire Morrison Creek watershed, including riparian areas of 10 to 30 m width, was established through a Species at Risk Act critical habitat order in 2019

Current Environmental, DFO, Morrison Creek Streamkeepers

6

Develop and implement a long- term monitoring program

A long-term monitoring program has not been developed or implemented; however, Morrison Creek Lamprey have been monitored through periodic studies and continue to be encountered throughout their known range. A trapping survey was conducted in 2017 to monitor the population in the headwaters and mainstem of Morrison Creek, and to compare the results to previous surveys from 2011 to 2013 and the 1970s and 1980s (Wade et al. 2019). Traps were also set in the mainstem of Morrison Creek in 2021 to conduct ongoing population monitoring (Wade et al. 2021).

DFO, Fundy Aqua Services Inc.

7

Establish water quality and water use objectives for Morrison Creek

Water quality and water use objectives for Morrison Creek have not been established.

N/A

8

Inform and educate stakeholders and the general public about the species and general biodiversity values

Educational and outreach materials were developed and outreach has been conducted for the general public to raise awareness of Morrison Creek Lamprey. Completed outreach activities include:

  • updating interpretive signage at Puntledge Park by Morrison Creek Streamkeepers in 2020 to promote public awareness of the ecological importance of Morrison Creek watershed, including for Morrison Creek Lamprey
  • DFO developed public outreach signage for Morrison Creek Lamprey describing the species’ biology as well as SARA status and protections in 2021. Signage was installed at Roy Morrison Park and Puntledge Park and 2 more signs will be installed at the Morrison Creek Nature Preserve and School District 71 property
  • promoting species awareness and conservation actions at community events by local stream keepers
  • providing outreach presentations at schools, local communities, and community environmental groups
  • highlighting Morrison Creek Lamprey in media coverage of the land acquisition for the Morrison Headwaters Nature Preserve
  • highlighting Morrison Creek Lamprey in a chapter of “Animals, Health and Society” entitled “Application of Harm Reduction Thinking to the Conservation of Uncharismatic Species” (Wade 2020)

Fundy Aqua Services Inc., Morrison Creek Streamkeepers, City of Courtenay, DFO

9

Work with local government, land developers, and others to improve and encourage watershed stewardship

Watershed stewardship initiatives, including the acquisition of a portion of the headwaters of Morrison Creek, have been completed (refer to row 3 of table 1).

Local government, land developers, and others were engaged during the development of the Morrison Creek Lamprey action plan (DFO 2018; refer to row 1 of table 1 of the action plan), which includes measures related to watershed stewardship (recovery measures 9, 14, and 15 of the action plan). These measures will be reported on in the action plan progress report.

City of Courtenay, Comox Valley Land Trust, Current Environmental, DFO, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, Fundy Aqua Services Inc., Morrison Creek Streamkeepers, Pacific Salmon Foundation, School District 71, local governments,stakeholders

10

Develop sound protocols for scientific investigations (such as, limit number of fish collected each year, etc.)

Protocols for scientific investigation have not been established. However, guidelines for the capture and handling of Morrison Creek Lamprey are in draft development stages.

Recovery measure 2 in the action plan was identified to develop allowable harm estimates and collection guidelines.

DFO, Fundy Aqua Services Inc.

a Lead participant(s) is/are listed on top and in bold; other participants are listed alphabetically. Not all activities have specific participants identified. DFO acknowledges the large network of people that contribute to recovery of Morrison Creek Lamprey and regrets any potential omissions of contributors.

3.2 Activities supporting the identification of critical habitat

Critical habitat for the Morrison Creek Lamprey was identified, to the extent possible, in section 2 of the action plan.

Table 2 provides information on the implementation of the studies outlined in the schedule of studies to identify critical habitat found in the recovery strategy (NRTMCL 2007). Each study has been assigned 1 of 4 statuses:

  1. completed: the study has been carried out and concluded
  2. in progress:the planned study is underway and has not concluded
  3. not started: the study has been planned but has yet to start
  4. cancelled: the planned study will not be started or completed
Table 2. Status and details of the implementation of the schedule of studies outlined in the Morrison Creek Lamprey recovery strategy.
# Study Status Descriptions and results Participants a

1

Habitat use

Completed

Critical habitat for Morrison Creek Lamprey was identified in the action plan to the extent possible, using the best available information, and provides the functions, features, and attributes necessary to support the species’ life-cycle processes. Basic habitat associations for each life stage are described. As stated in the action plan, the identified critical habitat is sufficient to achieve the species’ recovery goal and objectives. Critical habitat identification was informed by a peer review process undertaken by DFO’s Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS; DFO 2015, Wade et al. 2015).

DFO, Fundy Aqua Services Inc.

2

Habitat availability

Completed

Historic and current habitat availability for Morrison Creek Lamprey was reviewed and taken into consideration for the identification of critical habitat in the action plan. Critical habitat identification was informed by a peer review process undertaken by DFO’s CSAS (DFO 2015, Wade et al. 2015).

DFO, Fundy Aqua Services Inc.

3

Historic and present population abundance

Cancelled

The recovery strategy stated that historic and present population abundance would be integral to the identification of critical habitat; however, critical habitat features and attributes for each life stage were identified in the action plan using best available knowledge without historic and present abundance information.

No current robust population estimates are available for Morrison Creek Lamprey. Historic population abundance was estimated in the COSEWIC report (COSEWIC 2010).

Development of abundance estimates is not identified as a priority recovery measure in the action plan as the population will likely continue to be at risk due to limited geographic range; however, the action plan includes measures on the development and implementation of a monitoring plan, which may include monitoring presence and distribution of Morrison Creek Lamprey and the watershed’s aquatic communities (ecological dynamics, particularly prey-predator relationships; recovery measures 3 and 5 in the action plan).

N/A

4

Recovery targets

Cancelled

The recovery strategy stated that clearly defined population recovery targets for each life stage would be integral to the identification of critical habitat; however, critical habitat features and attributes for each life stage were identified in the action plan using best available knowledge without defined population recovery targets. No current robust population estimates are available for Morrison Creek Lamprey to establish population abundance recovery targets.

Establishing quantitative abundance-based recovery targets is not identified as a priority recovery measure in the action plan as critical habitat was already identified through other methods.

N/A

5

Relationship between habitat and abundance

Cancelled

The recovery strategy stated that an understanding of the quantitative relationship between habitat and abundance would be required for the designation of critical habitat by establishing the amount of habitat required to achieve a population recovery target. However, critical habitat features and attributes for each life stage were identified in the action plan using best available knowledge. Population abundance estimates do not exist for Morrison Creek Lamprey, and the relationship between habitat and abundance has not been investigated.

Quantifying the relationship between habitat and abundance is not identified as a priority recovery measure for further identification of critical habitat in the action plan.

N/A

6

Define critical habitat

Completed

Critical habitat for Morrison Creek Lamprey was identified in the action plan to the extent possible, using the best available information, and provides the functions, features, and attributes necessary to support the species’ life-cycle processes and to achieve the species’ recovery goal and objectives. Protection of Morrison Creek Lamprey’s critical habitat from destruction was accomplished in 2019 through a SARA critical habitat order made under subsections 58(4) and (5), which invoked the prohibition in subsection 58(1) against the destruction of the identified critical habitat.

DFO

a Lead participant(s) is/are listed on top and in bold; other participants are listed alphabetically. Not all activities have specific participants identified. DFO acknowledges the large network of people that contribute to recovery of Morrison Creek Lamprey and regrets any potential omissions of contributors.

3.3 Summary of progress towards recovery

3.3.1 Status of performance measures

Table 3 provides a summary of the progress made toward meeting the performance measures outlined in section 9 of the recovery strategy and restated in section 2.2 of this progress report. Each measure has been assigned 1 of 4 statuses:

  1. not met: the performance measure has not been met, and little to no progress has been made
  2. partially met, underway: moderate to significant progress has been made toward meeting 1 or more elements of the performance measure, and further work is ongoing or planned
  3. met: the performance measure has been met and no further action is required
  4. met, ongoing: the performance measure has been met, but efforts will continue until such time as the population is considered to be recovered
Table 3. Summary of progress made toward meeting the performance measures outlined in the Morrison Creek Lamprey recovery strategy.
Performance measure Status Details

1. Has a recovery implementation group (RIG) or working group been established? Is the RIG adequately supported with funding and technical expertise? Has an action plan been developed? Is the RIG achieving the goals outlined in the recovery strategy?

Partially met, underway

A Morrison Creek Lamprey RIG has not been established; however, broad watershed-based stewardship initiatives have been undertaken within the Morrison Creek watershed that contribute to the conservation and protection of the species (refer to row 1 of table 1).

A Morrison Creek Lamprey action plan has been developed (refer to row 1 of table 1).

2. Are there key information gaps that inhibit conservation of Morrison Creek Lamprey?

Partially met, underway

Research and field studies have helped address information gaps regarding Morrison Creek Lamprey habitat use and the hydrological properties of the upper Morrison Creek watershed (refer to row 2 of table 1).

Measures to continue investigating presence and distribution of the population, and to start identifying Morrison Creek Lamprey prey preferences are identified by recovery measures 1 and 4, respectively, in the action plan.

3. Have threats been clarified and assessed? Are threats being mitigated?

Partially met, underway

A habitat rehabilitation project was conducted along a 900 m reach of Arden Creek in 2021 to mitigate threats related to land use and recreation (refer to row 3 of table 1).

Acquisition of a portion of the headwaters of Morrison Creek for conservation purposes (refer to row 3 of table 1) helps mitigate water quality threats.
There have been opportunistic identification and removal of barriers to movement during trapping efforts (refer to row 3 in table 1), but monitoring for barriers must be completed on an ongoing basis.

4. Has critical habitat been defined for Morrison Creek Lamprey?

Met

Critical habitat was identified in the action plan and is legally protected from destruction through a Species at Risk Act (SARA) critical habitat order (refer to table 2).

5. Have key areas in the watershed (that is, those that are disproportionately important for maintaining habitat and the natural flow regime) been identified? Has a watershed plan that recognizes these habitats as important been developed? Have key habitats been effectively protected?

Partially met, underway

A Morrison Creek watershed plan has not been developed; however the headwaters of Morrison Creek watershed have been mapped and assessed for their importance to maintaining Morrison Creek Lamprey habitat and natural flow regime. Key habitats have been legally protected through a SARA critical habitat order (refer to row 5 of table 1).

A portion of the headwaters of Morrison Creek was purchased by the Comox Valley Land Trust for conservation purposes (refer to row 3 in table 1).

6. Have monitoring programs been implemented? How long has a monitoring program been in place? Is it effective? Is it a benign activity for the population? Is funding secure for the long term?

Not met

A formal monitoring program for Morrison Creek Lamprey has not been established; however, periodic monitoring of presence, distribution, and relative catch rates have been conducted (refer to row 6 of table 1).

7. Have water quality and water use objectives been established and communicated to relevant regulators and stakeholders?

Not met

Water quality and water use objectives have not yet been established for Morrison Creek Lamprey, and should be addressed in the future through implementation of recovery measure 10 in the action plan.

8. Have educational materials been produced? Has public perception and awareness been affected? How many classes have received educational presentations?

Partially met, underway

Educational and interpretive signage related to Morrison Creek Lamprey and the watershed have been developed and installed in the community (refer to row 8 of table 1). A direct measurement of change in public perception is not available; however, local stewardship groups (such as the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers) continue to be interested and engaged in Morrison Creek Lamprey conservation. Local stewardship groups have conducted public outreach initiatives, including educational presentations (refer to row 8 of table 1); however, an exact number of educational presentations is not available.

9. Have forest harvest and land management criteria been developed? Is forest harvest and land development meeting the criteria? Have best management practices (BMPs) been developed and communicated? Is there compliance with BMPs?

Not met

No forest harvest and land management criteria or BMP documents specific to Morrison Creek Lamprey have been developed. Forest harvest practices are managed through provisions under the BC Forest and Range Practices Act and Private Managed Forest Land Act. Protection of Morrison Creek Lamprey critical habitat has been achieved through a 2019 SARA critical habitat order (refer to row 5 of table 1). Furthermore, any works, undertakings, or activities that result in the death of fish or the harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat are subject to regulatory review and authorization under the federal Fisheries Act.

10. Have scientific investigation protocols been set and communicated? Have they been implemented?

Not met

Scientific investigation protocols for Morrison Creek Lamprey have not been established. Guidelines for the capture and handling of Morrison Creek Lamprey are in draft development stages. Future development of allowable harm estimates and collection guidelines are identified by recovery measure 2 in the action plan.

3.3.2 Completion of action plan

The “Action Plan for the Western Brook Lamprey – Morrison Creek Population (Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada” was published in 2018 (DFO 2018). The action plan identified critical habitat, and outlines measures that provide the best chance of achieving the recovery goal and objectives for the population, including the measures to be taken to address the threats and monitor the recovery of the population.

3.3.3 Critical habitat identification and protection

Critical habitat for the Morrison Creek Lamprey was identified to the extent possible in the action plan using the best available information, and provides the functions, features, and attributes necessary to support the species’ life-cycle processes and to achieve the species’ recovery goal and objectives. A Species at Risk Act (SARA) critical habitat order was established in May 2019 under subsections 58(4) and (5) of SARA which invoked the prohibitions in subsection 58(1) against the destruction of critical habitat (SOR/2019-123). Section 3.2 of this progress report provides a summary of completed activities to identify critical habitat. Section 2.2 of the action plan provides examples of activities likely to result in the destruction of critical habitat.

3.3.4 Recovery feasibility

Based on the best available information, the recovery of Morrison Creek Lamprey is determined to be feasible (NRTMCL 2007; DFO 2018). No new information has been gathered that would suggest the Morrison Creek Lamprey population no longer meets the feasibility criteria laid out in the recovery strategy. The studies and initiatives outlined in sections 3.1 and 3.2 of this progress report demonstrate progress towards better understanding this population and its recovery potential.

4 Concluding statement

Within this reporting period (2016 to 2021), through the implementation of the activities identified in the “Recovery Strategy for the Morrison Creek Lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni var. marifuga ) in Canada”, progress has been made in recovering the Morrison Creek Lamprey, including:

While current population abundance and trends are unknown, Morrison Creek Lamprey have been monitored through periodic studies and continue to be encountered throughout their known range. High priority next steps may include: continuing to investigate presence and distribution of Morrison Creek Lamprey; clarifying knowledge gaps related to prey; conducting studies to assess connectivity and hydrological properties of Morrison Creek and its headwaters; and continuing to protect and restore important habitats.

DFO remains committed to the survival and recovery of the Morrison Creek Lamprey. The work started and completed to date has built a strong foundation for continued research and management of this species over the next reporting period. Progress made to date would not have been achieved without the contribution from our partners. DFO is looking forward to continuing this successful collaboration and welcomes the participation of additional partners.

5 References

Page details

2022-11-21