Species at Risk Act annual report for 2018: chapter 4

4. Recovery planning for listed species

Once a species is listed on Schedule 1, there are obligations in the Act for recovery planning. Proposed recovery strategies, action plans and management plans are posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry for a 60-day public comment period. The competent ministers consider comments and make changes where appropriate. The final recovery strategy action plan or management plan, as applicable, is to be published on the public registry within 30 days after the expiry of the public comment period. Five years after a recovery strategy, action plan or management plan comes into effect, the competent minister must report on the progress made towards achieving the stated objectives.

Recovery strategies have the following steps:

identify threats to the species and its habitat
identify critical habitat to the extent possible
set population and distribution objectives for the species

Action plans outline the projects or activities required to meet the objectives outlined in the recovery strategy. This includes information on the species habitat, protection measures, and an evaluation of the socio-economic costs and benefits. Management plans identify conservation measures needed to prevent a species listed as special concern from becoming threatened or endangered, but do not identify critical habitat.

4.1 Recovery planning activities in 2018

Under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the competent ministers must prepare recovery strategies and action plans for the species listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened and management plans for those listed as special concern.

4.1.1 Recovery strategies

In 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) posted proposed recovery strategies for 8 species and final recovery strategies for 17 species. Parks Canada Agency (PCA) posted a final recovery strategy for one species and DFO posted a proposed recovery strategy for one species, and final recovery strategies for five species.

Table 4 lists the recovery strategies that were posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry in 2018.

Table 4. Species for which recovery strategies were posted in 2018 by competent department
Competent department	Final recovery strategies: species	Proposed recovery strategies: species
Environment and Climate Change Canada	American Ginseng^a Blanding’s Turtle (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence population)^a Blue-grey Taildropper Slug Butler’s Gartersnake Eastern Whip-poor-will^a Grey Fox Little Brown Myotis^a Northern Bobwhite Northern Myotis^a Purple Twayblade Slender Bush-clover Small-flowered Lipocarpha Spiny Softshell^a Spotted Turtle^a Tri-colored Bat^a White Wood Aster^a Wood Bison^a	Batwing Vinyl Lichen Bent Spike-rush (Southern Mountain population) Goldenseal Phantom Orchid Skillet Clubtail Western Painted Turtle (Pacific Coast population) White Wood Aster Yellow-breasted Chat virens subspecies
Parks Canada	Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies	Nil
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	Harbour Seal Lacs des Loups Marins subspecies Killer Whale (Northeast Pacific Offshore population)^a Misty Lake Lentic Threespine Stickleback Misty Lake Lotic Threespine Stickleback Speckled Dace	Killer Whale (Northeast Pacific Offshore population)

^a Parks Canada is also a competent department for this species, as it occurs in its lands/waters.

4.1.2 Action plans

An action plan identifies the conservation measures required to address the threats to the species and meet the population and distribution objectives outlined in the recovery strategy. An action plan may include an identification of the species’ critical habitat, to the extent possible, based on the best available information and consistent with the recovery strategy.

In 2018, ECCC posted a proposed multi-species action plan for two species and final action plans for 10 species, with 5 of those species included in a multi-species action plan. PCA posted 1 final multi-species action plan covering a total of 16 different extirpated, endangered and threatened (EET) SARA-listed species on PCA lands and waters and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) posted proposed action plans for 21 species and final action plans for 15 species.

Table 5 lists the species for which action plans were posted in 2018.

Table 5. Species for which action plans were posted in 2018
Competent department	Final action plans	Proposed action plans
Environment and Climate Change Canada	Barrens Willow Eastern Mountain Avens Fernald’s Braya^b Long’s Braya Woodland Caribou (Boreal population) Action Plan for Multiple Species of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora in Canada: Pink Coreopsis Thread-leaved Sundew Water Pennywort^b Goldencrest Plymouth Gentian	Action Plan for the Boreal Felt Lichen (Atlantic population) and Vole Ears Lichen, in Canada Boreal Felt Lichen (Atlantic population)^b Vole Ears Lichen^b
Parks Canada	Multi-species Action Plan - Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (16 species)	Nil
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	Atlantic Whitefish Carmine Shiner Eastern Sand Darter (Ontario populations) Hotwater Physa Kidneyshell Northern Madtom Northern Riffleshell Rayed Bean Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Eastslope populations) Round Hickorynut Round Pigtoe Salamander Mussel Snuffbox Western Brook Lamprey (Morrison Creek population) Western Silvery Minnow	Blue Whale (Atlantic population)^b Eastern Sand Darter (Ontario populations) Kidneyshell Lake Chubsucker^b Leatherback Sea Turtle (Atlantic population)^b Mapleleaf (Great Lakes – Western St. Lawrence population) Misty Lake Lentic Threespine Stickleback Misty Lake Lotic Threespine Stickleback Northern Riffleshell Northern Wolffish Paxton Lake Benthic Threespine Sticleback Paxton Lake Limnetic Threespine Stickleback Pugnose Shiner^b Rainbow Rainbow Smelt (Lake Utopia small-bodied population) Snuffbox Speckled Dace Spotted Wolffish Vananda Creek Limnetic Threespine Stickleback Vancouver Lamprey

^b Parks Canada is also a competent department for this species, as it occurs in its lands/waters.

Note: Individual species may be covered in more than one multi-species action plan.

4.1.3 Identification of critical habitat

SARA defines “critical habitat” as the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan. Competent ministers must identify critical habitat, to the extent possible based on the best available information.

In 2018, ECCC published final recovery strategies in which critical habitat was identified for 15 species, and proposed recovery strategies in which critical habitat was identified for 7 species.

PCA identified critical habitat in a final recovery strategy for 1 species (Northern Goshawk, laingi subspecies) and identified additional critical habitat for 1 species (Contorted-pod Evening Primrose) in the final multi-species action plan for Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada.

DFO published 5 final recovery strategies and 2 final action plans in which critical habitat was identified for 9 species. In addition, DFO published 3 proposed recovery strategies, 1 proposed action plan, and 3 proposed (combined) recovery strategy/action plans in which critical habitat was identified for 15 species.

4.1.4 Management plans

Species of special concern are those that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. SARA requires competent ministers to prepare management plans for species of special concern. A management plan differs from a recovery strategy and an action plan, in that it identifies conservation measures needed to prevent a species of special concern from becoming threatened or endangered, but does not identify critical habitat. Where appropriate, these management plans may be prepared for multiple species on an ecosystem or landscape level.

Table 6 shows species for which management plans were posted in 2018.

Table 6. Species for which management plans were posted in 2018
Competent department	Final management plans: species	Proposed management plans: species
Environment and Climate Change Canada	Ancient Murrelet^c Barren-ground Caribou (Dolphin and Union population)^c Coastal Tailed Frog Dwaft Woolly-heads (Prairie population) Lyall’s Mariposa Lily Short-eared Owl^c Western Painted Turtle (Intermountain – Rocky Mountain population)	Crooked-stem Aster
Parks Canada	Nil	Nil
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	Brook Floater Northern Brook Lamprey (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations)^c River Redhorse^c Wavy-rayed Lampmussel	Mountain Sucker (Pacific populations) Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Westslope populations) Shorthead Sculpin Yelloweye Rockfish (Pacific Ocean Inside Waters population)^d Yelloweye Rockfish (Pacific Ocean Outside Waters population)^d

^c Parks Canada is also a competent department for this species, as it occurs in its lands/waters.

^d Parks Canada may also be be competent department for this species, pending confirmation of occurrence data.

4.2 Protection of critical habitat

In 2018, ECCC protected critical habitat for Swift Fox, Sprague’s Pipit, and Chestnut-collared Longspur in Prairie National Wildlife Area – Unit 11.

In 2018, the Minister, acting in the capacity as the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency, made an order to protect the critical habitat of the Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence – Canadian Shield population) on federal lands. The Minister also proposed an order to protect the critical habitat of the Woodland Caribou (Boreal population) on federally administered lands, pursuant to section 58 of SARA.

ECCC published two progress reports under section 63 of SARA that highlighted steps taken to protect critical habitat for Woodland Caribou (Boreal population).

PCA protected critical habitat for 11 species in seven national parks, national park reserves and other lands/waters under the Agency’s administration.

Chestnut-collared Longspur (Grasslands National Park of Canada)
Contorted-pod Evening-primrose (Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada)
Dromedary Jumping Slug (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada)
Eastern Whip-poor-will (Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada)
Edward’s Beach Moth (Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada & Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada)
Killer Whale (Northeast Pacific northern resident population) (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada)
Killer Whale (Northeast Pacific southern resident population) (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada)
Red Knot (rufa subspecies) (Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada)
Sand-verbena Moth (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada)
Seaside Centipede Lichen (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada)
Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence - Canadian Shield population) (Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site and other lands associated with Thousand Islands National Park of Canada)

DFO published 14 orders to protect critical habitat for the following aquatic species at risk.

Eastern Sand Darter, Quebec populations
Spring Cisco
Lake Chubsucker
Northern Bottlenose Whale, Scotian Shelf population
Atlantic Whitefish
Carmine Shiner
Misty Lake Lentic Threespine Stickleback
Misty Lake Lotic Threespine Stickleback
Speckled Dace
Harbour Seal, Lac des Loups Marins subspecies
Killer Whale, Northeast Pacific Southern Resident population
Killer Whale, Northeast Pacific Northern Resident population
Coastrange Sculpin, Cultus population
Western Silvery Minnow

DFO also published a proposed order to protect critical habitat for the Atlantic Salmon, Inner Bay of Fundy population.

To further help protect aquatic species at risk, DFO encourages people who are considering a construction project to visit the Aquatic species at risk map website to facilitate locating these species and thus plan their project accordingly.

The provinces and territories are primarily responsible for the management of non-federal lands, natural resources and wildlife located on those lands. This includes the protection of the critical habitat of species at risk on non-federal lands (other than aquatic species) and implementation of protection measures through their own legislation and programs.

4.3 Imminent threat assessments

In 2018, ECCC undertook work to assess threats to the survival or recovery of species at risk in response to petitions received from various stakeholders. This work included consulting with implicated provincial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, as well industry representatives, and academics, and analyzing the information received during this process. The outcomes of these assessments, once completed, will be used to guide the competent minister in forming an opinion as to whether or not a species faces an imminent threat to its survival or recovery.

In 2018, two species were found to be facing imminent threats.

The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard and the Minister as the Minister responsible for Parks Canada determined the Southern Resident Killer Whale is facing imminent threats to its survival and recovery. The Imminent Threat Assessment, based on the best available information from the COSEWIC Assessment, the Recovery Strategy for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales, the Action Plan for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale, and the Review of the Effectiveness of Recovery Measures for Southern Resident Killer Whales, examined the biological condition of the population, as well as ongoing threats and mitigation measures. The Ministers found the Southern Resident Killer Whale is facing key threats, namely: the reductions in the availability or quality of prey, physical and acoustic disturbances, and environmental contaminants. These threats are considered imminent and intervention is required to allow for survival and eventual recovery.
In 2018, the Minister determined that Southern Mountain Caribou are facing imminent threats to its recovery. The assessment noted unsustainable predation as the most immediate and significant issue to the population. It was found that predation levels, the result of habitat changes, have influenced the predator-prey relationship which in turn has lead to direct disturbance and displacement of caribou. The assessment highlighted specific concern in 10 of the 23 local population units.

4.4 Recovery activities

In supporting species at risk recovery, Government of Canada biologists across Canada led or supported dozens of activities, including research projects, education and awareness, habitat restoration or enhancement initiatives, monitoring, assessment, and more.

4.4.1 Competent departments recovery activities

In 2018, ECCC led and supported numerous activities targeting the recovery of species at risk. ECCC progressed in developing conservation agreements under section 11 as a tool for bringing partners together to commit to conservation measures for the benefit of species at risk. In 2018, 42 section 11 conservation agreements were signed with landowners in Ontario through the Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Lands program. ECCC also made progress in the negotiation of conservation agreements for Woodland Caribou (Boreal population), investing approximately $13 million in the conservation of Boreal and Southern Mountain Caribou in fiscal year 2018-2019, supported by the Canada Nature Fund. A final conservation agreement was signed with Quebec (cost-sharing arrangement for the implementation of the collaborative agreement for the protection and recovery of species at risk in Quebec applied to Boreal Caribou and its habitat), and two agreements-in-principle were concluded with Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories, to advance conservation measures such as landscape-level planning, and habitat and population management, among others. Negotiations commenced on potential conservation agreements with three First Nations.

In 2018, PCA implemented recovery activities in and around protected heritage places, including research, restoration activities, and public outreach and education. PCA conducted several projects in partnership with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, private citizens and Indigenous communities. Conservation and restoration projects are recovering, restoring and enhancing ecosystems and species at risk across Canada, such as:

seaside surveys for at-risk lichens were completed at Kejimkujik National Park, resulting in the identification of more than 300 at-risk lichen occurrences
restoring the boreal forest in Terra Nova National Park
reconnecting lakes and rivers in La Mauricie National Park
enhancing the protection of Beluga Whale in Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park
implementing the Reptile and Amphibian Recovery and Education program (RARE), in Thousand Islands National Park increasing herptile outreach capacity, awareness, and partnership building, through activities such as a turtle nest protection box lending program, and a new herptile education and awareness section in the visitor center

In 2018, DFO implemented recovery activities including: research, strategic regulatory sign placement, partnering with provincial wildlife conservation staff to share knowledge and build relationships in support of protecting species, environmental restoration opportunities, and targeted site visits.

DFO’s Marine Mammal Response Program departmental personnel and external partner organizations carried out 287 responses nationally for species at risk including:

freeing whales from fishing gear entanglements
monitoring close approaches by vessels
refloating live stranded animals
reuniting stranded animals with their pods
warming cold, stunned sea turtles
monitoring sick animals
performing necropsies on dead animals to determine cause of death
investigating incidents of harassment

The information collected during these response activities helps DFO monitor and evaluate the threat level from these forms of harm and find ways to reduce entanglements and vessel collisions. Outreach activities help to educate the public on ways to help protect and avoid harming marine animals.

4.4.2 Habitat Stewardship Program

The Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at Risk was established in 2000 as part of the National Strategy for the Protection of Species at Risk. The overall goals of the HSP are to contribute to the recovery of endangered, threatened and other species at risk, and to prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern, by involving Canadians from all walks of life in conservation actions to benefit wildlife.

The most complete data available for the HSP at the end of 2018 is for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The HSP is co-managed by ECCC, DFO and PCA, and administered by ECCC on a regional basis. Regional implementation boards include representatives from federal, provincial and territorial governments, and various stakeholders. These boards provide advice on priorities and project selection for their regions. Funding under the HSP is separated into two distinct streams.

The species at risk stream
The prevention stream

The HSP Species at Risk Stream focuses on projects addressing the recovery of species at risk listed on Schedule 1 of SARA. Results are focused on:

securing or protecting important habitat for the recovery of species at risk
improving, through restoration/enhancement, or managing important habitat to meet the recovery needs of species at risk
removing or mitigating threats to species at risk or their habitat caused by human activities
engaging Canadians (landowners, resource users, volunteers) to participate directly in activities that support the recovery of species at risk so that project benefits are sustained over time

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, 137 new projects and 86 previously approved multi-year projects involving 176 unique funding recipients contributed to the recovery efforts of over 242 unique SARA-listed species across Canada. A total of $13 million in HSP SAR Stream funding was awarded to these projects, and an additional $32.2 million (cash and in-kind) was leveraged from partners, for a total investment of $45 million.

These contributions provided support to stewardship efforts across Canada that resulted in the protection of just over 3,160 ha of land, including 6 ha through legally binding means, such as acquisition or conservation easements and just over 3,100 ha of land through non-legally binding means such as conservation agreements. The program also supported the improvement or restoration of more than 115 ha of land and 5 km of shoreline. Funded projects directly affected 31 SARA-listed species, mostly through increased Indigenous awareness of species at risk and through the development of strategies, guidelines and practices or the completion of monitoring studies, surveys and inventories.

The HSP Prevention Stream focuses on projects addressing other species, beyond those listed on Schedule 1 of SARA, to prevent them from becoming a conservation concern. It targets the same results as the Species at Risk Stream.

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the HSP Prevention Stream funded 41 new projects and 29 previously approved multi-year projects, which support work to prevent species from becoming a conservation concern. A total of over $2.7 million in HSP Prevention Stream funding was awarded to these projects, and an additional $7.6 million (cash and in-kind) was leveraged from partners, for a total investment of over $10.3 million.
These contributions provided support to stewardship efforts across Canada that resulted in the securement and protection of more than 1,800 ha of land, including more than 640 ha through legally binding means, such as acquisition or conservation easements. Non-legally binding protection was put in place through the use of written conservation agreements with landowners, which accounts for more than 1,200 ha, including over 140 ha through renewed conservation agreements and over 1,000 ha through new conservation agreements. The program also supported the improvement or restoration of more than 2,600 ha of land and 18 km of shoreline.

Additional information on the program is available on the Habitat Stewardship Program for species at risk website and for DFO, on the Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk Program website.

4.4.3 Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR), established in 2004, helps Indigenous organizations and communities across Canada build capacity to participate in the conservation and recovery of species at risk. The program also helps to protect and recover critical habitat or habitat important for species at risk on or near First Nations reserve land or on land and waters traditionally used by Indigenous peoples.

AFSAR is co-managed by ECCC, DFO, and PCA, with the support of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and the guidance of National Indigenous Organizations. AFSAR is administered by ECCC and DFO on a regional basis. Regional management teams include representatives from federal, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous representatives, and various stakeholders. These teams provide advice on priorities and project selection for their regions.
The most complete data available for AFSAR at the end of 2018 is for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Similar to HSP, funding under AFSAR is separated into two distinct streams.

AFSAR Species at Risk Stream
AFSAR Prevention Stream

The AFSAR Species at Risk Stream focuses on projects addressing the recovery of species at risk listed on Schedule 1 of SARA, targeting results in four main areas:

strengthening capacity in Indigenous communities for SARA implementation
mitigating threats to species at risk, be they individuals or populations
protecting, improving or managing critical and important habitat of species at risk
documenting and conserving Indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge on species at risk and, where appropriate, helping ensure their use in the development of recovery objectives

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year the AFSAR SAR Stream:

provided $3.2 million to 42 new projects and 25 previously approved multi-year projects
leveraged additional funds that exceeded $2.5 million (cash and in‑kind)
involved 53 Indigenous organizations and communities as recipients

Success story – Strengthening salmon governance through collaboration and research, an AFSAR accomplishment

Eastern Cape Breton Atlantic salmon is a culturally significant species to the Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia, and has been assessed by COSEWIC as endangered.

The AFSAR program awarded the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) $92,894 to support the strengthening of salmon governance for the Eastern Cape Breton Atlantic salmon population. Activities were carried out near Mi’kmaq traditional harvesting areas in the Middle, Baddeck, and North Rivers, as well as several other key river systems which are thought to support a large proportion of the existing population.

Monitoring activities included the use of mark-recapture methods to determine smolt abundance in the Middle River, which will contribute to future at-sea mortality estimates – addressing an acknowledged data gap for this species. Electrofishing surveys in an additional five rivers determined the presence/absence of juveniles, which provided indication of spawning activity in those systems. Additionally, UINR conducted outreach and education activities - focusing on improving Mi’kmaq and non-Mi’kmaq awareness of the conservation and status of Atlantic salmon - within the context of Aboriginal Rights through a placemat design and condensed conservation harvest plan distributed as a mail-out postcard to Mi’kmaq households in Cape Breton.

Through these project activities, UINR has contributed critical data to support the conservation and recovery of Atlantic salmon in Eastern Cape Breton, while also promoting conservation objectives and species at risk awareness in communities through focused outreach and education.

Case study: Using Indigenous knowledge and science for the recovery of Species at Risk in NunatuKavut - Polar Bears and Bats

Polar Bear, Photo: Lewis Campbell — Polar Bear
Photo: Lewis Campbell

In 2017-2018, the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) received $75,250 from the AFSAR Species at Risk Stream to document and use Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK), survey and monitor three species at risk, and increase knowledge and awareness in NunatuKavut communities in southern Labrador. The species targeted in this project were Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), and Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrinalis).

The Polar Bear, or Nanuk in Inuktitut, is one of Canada’s most iconic species and is of cultural, spiritual and economic importance to the Inuit. It has been listed as Special Concern on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act since 2014. Several reported sightings of Polar Bears in and around NunatuKavut communities over the past number of years occurred and through this project NCC educated and trained community members on Polar Bear behaviour and how to react in their presence, as well as how to escort them from the community safely. These activities helped remove the fear stigma present in the community and prevented unnecessary defence kills that result from human-bear encounters when Polar Bears come within close proximity to communities. Furthermore, ITK was collected during interviews with 11 Elders or knowledge holders from four different com munities and focused on understanding Polar Bears in NunatuKavut to promote its conservation in Labrador and recovery in Canada.

Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis have been listed as Endangered on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act since 2014. These bat species are declining primarily due to White-nose Syndrome (WNS), which is a disease caused by a white fungus that grows on infected bats’ wings, nose, and ears. Bat mortality rates from WNS sometimes exceed 90% in infected hibernating sites. Populations in the project locations in Labrador are reported as healthy but there have been a few cases of WNS reported in Newfoundland. NCC, through this AFSAR-funded project, educated NunatuKavut Inuit on preventing the disease from spreading by human encroachment, reducing the number of bat mortalities, and preventing bats from inhabiting seasonal homes.

NCC held public information sessions where 500 copies of documents about bat biology, their habitat, and threats to their status were distributed. These documents were also distributed in classrooms where 30 students were shown examples of homemade bat boxes to construct for bat conservation. Small brochures were also shared about possible measures to be taken if bats are present in attics or spotted in general.

The AFSAR Prevention Stream focuses on projects addressing other species, beyond those listed on Schedule 1 of SARA, to prevent them from becoming a conservation concern. It targets the same results as the Species at Risk Stream.

During the 2017-2018 fiscal year: the AFSAR Prevention Stream provided over $1.5 million to 30 new and four previously approved multi-year projects to prevent species other than listed species at risk from becoming a conservation concern; the AFSAR Prevention Stream leveraged additional funds that exceeded $1.1 million (cash and in kind).

These projects involved 32 Indigenous organizations and communities as recipients. These contributions also supported the improvement or restoration of more than 305 ha of land.

Additional information on the program is available on the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk website and for DFO, on the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk website.

Case study: Northern Abalone Recovery Implementation Group (AbRIG)

Since 2005, representatives from DFO, Indigenous communities, academia, and other government agencies have formed the Abalone Recovery Implementation Group (AbRIG), a collaborative technical working group engaged in Northern Abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) recovery. AbRIG was founded to oversee specific activities for Abalone recovery, including developing and implementing communications campaigns, conducting research, and monitoring the status of the population.

Since the development of the Recovery Strategy for the Northern Abalone in Canada in 2007 and the Action Plan for the Northern Abalone in Canada in 2012, AbRIG has been focused on coordinating and implementing specific recovery actions identified in these recovery documents.

Many of the indigenous groups that participate in AbRIG receive funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program or the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) to carry out recovery activities.

The Northern Abalone projects, carried out by AbRIG members, have helped to increase capacity within coastal communities, raise public awareness on the endangered status of the species, develop and deliver educational programs, and reduce the two main threats to the species, illegal harvest and low recruitment.

Moving forward, AbRIG will continue to meet biannually to engage on a wide variety of Northern Abalone recovery actions, share knowledge, expertise, and new research that is occurring throughout coastal British Columbia.

4.4.4 Interdepartmental Recovery Fund

Established in 2002, the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund (IRF), administered by ECCC, supports species at risk projects undertaken by federal government departments, agencies and Crown corporations (other than ECCC, DFO, and PCA). Funded projects predominantly occur on lands owned or administered by federal organizations and directly relate to the implementation of activities identified in recovery strategies or action plans, or surveys of species at risk.

Between its inception in 2002 and the end of March 2018, the IRF has invested over $23.2 million in more than 720 projects which supported recovery efforts annually, on average, for 50 unique species at risk. In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the IRF supported 14 projects in five federal departments and one Crown corporation. Collectively, $670,000 in program funding and $688,569 in leveraged funds (cash and in-kind) from project leads and other partners, supported recovery efforts for 68 SARA-listed species. In 2017-2018, 72% of program funds supported recovery actions, and 28% supported surveys.

4.5 Outreach and education

In 2018, ECCC produced and delivered information in various forms to educate Canadians about the role they can play in protecting species at risk and their habitats. There was also a strong focus on engaging other government departments to provide training on SARA for employees who work directly with the Act.

ECCC continues to educate Canadians about species at risk through its long-standing partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation in delivering the Hinterland Who’s Who wildlife education program, and by developing and publishing species profiles on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

PCA continues to promote species at risk protection and has developed a new Integrated Compliance and Law Enforcement Planning Process. The process will maintain its focus on proactive communication with visitors to highlight the connection between their actions and the effect they can have on the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitat.

Public engagement activities related to species at risk occur in national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas across the country. These activities include interpretative programs, field trips, social media campaigns, special events and volunteer activities, including participation in restoration and monitoring projects (i.e. citizen science).

In addition, PCA has a number of outreach programs that focus on reaching youth, families and new Canadians in urban areas in order to increase awareness, understanding and foster support for species at risk protection and recovery. In 2018, this included outreach programs at special events and festivals, and at several partner venues (e.g. zoos and aquariums) in large cities such as Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax and Ottawa. Information about species at risk was also shared through the PCA website, social media, traditional media and organizations that reach out to the public with various programs, articles and websites.

DFO continued education and outreach activities (such as school visits, trade shows, workshops, industry, and community meetings) with partners to educate the public on the threats to aquatic species at risk and ways to help protect them. Examples include:

Investment in the development of two Science Enterprise Centres (SECs) – the Gulf Fisheries Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, and the Centre for Aquaculture and Environmental Research (CAER) in West Vancouver, British Columbia in support of collaborative and innovative scientific research areas, publicly accessible interactive and interpretative spaces, science activities and events for the community.
In the Quebec region, fishery officers worked jointly with their partners at Parks Canada on a week-long outreach event to raise public awareness among boaters on approach distances and disturbance levels for marine mammals, and on the Marine Mammal Regulations under the Fisheries Act in general. Labelled “Beluga Blitz”, the event took place in the St-Lawrence estuary, within and outside the Saguenay-St.Lawrence Marine Park, from July 27 to August 2, 2018. Officers from DFO and Parks Canada undertook joint patrols to provide information and educational material regarding Belugas, Right Whales and Blue Whales to recreational and commercial boaters and other members of the public. Information pamphlets, key chains and waterproof bags (for kayakers) were distributed as part of the event, and the feedback and information that was collected will inform the development of an action plan for marine mammals.
Public outreach and school visit activities in Newfoundland and Labrador included life-sized textile replicas of Blue Whale tails, Beluga Whales, Leatherback Sea Turtles and Wolffish (Northern, Spotted and Striped) and White Sharks used to provide information about the species, the role of the department in protecting them, and the way individuals can help conserve species.
A true-to-life fiberglass model of a Leatherback Sea Turtle was designed through collaboration between the Fish Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) and DFO as a tool for testing entanglement avoidance and mitigation options, and for public awareness and education purposes. It was built with moveable front flippers, buoyancy chambers, and handles to simulate how turtles move and how they would react to entanglement.

DFO collaborated with other federal agencies, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, environmental non-government organizations, Indigenous groups, academia and other groups to organize and host annual World Oceans Day events around Newfoundland and Labrador in the month of June. In 2018, 16 events took place province-wide to raise public awareness and education of issues related to our oceans including Species at Risk and plastic pollution, highlighting the global better bag challenge. More information can be found on the Better Bag Challenge website.

Success story – Work to restore the Westslope Cutthroat Trout – A “hands-on” education experience at Ripley’s Aquarium

To help convey important conservation messages about invasive species and habitat and population restoration, Banff National Park developed an outreach program for delivery at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto based on the work Parks Canada is doing to restore genetically pure Westslope Cutthroat Trout to its native habitat in the park.

The program is a simple tabletop activity kit that includes a Westslope Cutthroat Trout Fish replica, a fish identification game, and a fish-tagging activity. It uses a fun, hands-on approach that allows participants to replicate the work being done by Parks Canada biologists with similar tools (ID tags, taggers, and mock fin clippers) and resources (mock DNA results, photo ID challenge) to restore this threatened species. Program participants are able to experience and learn the science aspects of the recovery project, increasing their comprehension of what is being done, how Parks Canada is doing the work to support the recovery of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout species, and most importantly why we do this work.

Case study: Wolffish Identification Poster

In the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, DFO conducted an educational campaign with the fishing industry to help the fishers with the identification of the three Wolffish species (Northern Wolffish and Spotted Wolffish, both listed as threatened; and Atlantic Wolffish listed as special concern). An identification poster was presented to harvesters in all fisheries advisory committee meetings in 2018 and copies were distributed electronically and in a printed version throughout the fishing community. The objective was to clarify the differences among these three species and other fish species that could cause confusion and to improve the collection of information captured in the SARA logbooks.

Long description

The image shows a poster demonstrating how to identify three species of wolfish, and what distinguishes them from Ocean Pout, for which they are often misidentified. The poster indicates the differences between the fins, the teeth, and the markings on the body.

Case study: Freshwater Mussel Workshop

Freshwater mussel workshop, Photo: DFO — Freshwater mussel workshop
Photo : DFO

DFO, in collaboration with the New Brunswick Museum, conducted a freshwater mussel 2-day workshop in Eel Ground for several Indigenous communities in New Brunswick. The workshop, which focused on the SARA-listed Brook Floater and Yellow Lampmussel, provided an opportunity for participants to learn more about the species and their important role in freshwater ecosystems.

4.6 Species at risk population trends

For many wildlife species at risk, population objectives are set out in a recovery strategy or management plan and are periodically reassessed. By looking at population trends and changes in the status category of at risk species, it can provide a preliminary assessment of whether recovery efforts are working, recognizing that recovery may take many years. The following summary is taken from the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program and current results are available on the Environmental indicators website.

4.6.1 Changes in wildlife species status indicator

Identifying wildlife species at risk is the first step towards protecting these species. Wildlife species previously designated as being at risk are reassessed, usually after 10 years, to determine if there is a change in status. The Changes in the status of wildlife species at risk indicator reports on changes in wildlife species designations for wildlife species assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

As of April 2018, of the 479 wildlife species that have been reassessed and for which sufficient data are available to determine if there has been a change in status: 312 (65%) show no change in status, 86 (18%) are in a lower risk category and 81 (17%) are in a higher risk category (Figure 5). Of the 15 wildlife species ranked as endangered (a wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction) in the previous assessment that were recently reassessed (November 2017 and April 2018), the majority (12 wildlife species or 80%) remained in the endangered status category and the remaining 3 wildlife species changed to a lower risk category and were no longer categorized as endangered. In addition, 4 wildlife species that were from a lower-risk category in the previous assessment were designated endangered in the reassessment.

Figure 5. Changes in status of wildlife species at risk from Canada, April 2018

Long description for figure 5

The graph shows horizontal bars that represent the number of wildlife species at risk from Canada in each of three categories (Higher risk, Lower risk, or No change) as of April 2018. For the 479 species that have been reassessed:

81 species (17%) are in in the Higher risk category
86 species (18%) are in the Lower risk category
312 species (65%) in the No change category

Note: In this analysis, wildlife species refers to a species, subspecies or a genetically or geographically distinct population. Wildlife species disappearance may refer to extinction or extirpation (an extirpated species no longer occurs in the wild in Canada).

Source: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, April 2018.

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Date modified:: 2020-03-12

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