1 SPECIES AT RISK ACT UPDATE BC SEAFOOD ALLIANCE SUMMIT IV VANCOUVER, B.C. NOV. 1, 2005 JOHN C. DAVIS SPECIAL ADVISOR TO DEPUTY MINISTER, SPECIES AT RISK, DFO

2 Contents 1.Background 2.DFO Approach to Listing Decisions 3.Status of Aquatic Species Listings, Timelines 4.Implications, Considerations

3 Background u The Species at Risk Act, SARA, came into force in June 2004 u Act protects wildlife species at risk in Canada u Prohibitions apply for listed endangered (E) or threatened (T) species; Recovery Strategy required. u Recovery strategy may allow by-catch, possibly limited fishery

4 The intent of SARA is to protect species at risk and to allow them to recover: u Listing must be based on sound science, sufficient information, clear identification of threats u Consider magnitude of socio-economic costs and benefits to Canadians who buy and sell such species; impacts on coastal communities, those with few options u Ensure consultation with stakeholders, first nations, wildlife management boards, inclusion of aboriginal viewpoints, traditional knowledge, community knowledge u Consider federal-provincial-territorial relationships and results of consultations with those jurisdictions Principles for Listing Species

5 Guiding Principles For Decisions - continued u Build recovery strategies in partnership with others, encourage stewardship and cooperation u Build effective federal-provincial-territorial collaboration on endangered species issues u Consider costs to government, stakeholders, clarity of threats and challenges to rebuilding u Use the Fisheries Act, Oceans Act, DFO policies (e.g. wild salmon policy) and other measures in a complementary fashion with SARA to rebuild weak stocks, and foster sustainable resource use u Consider unintended costs and impacts on aquaculture industry

6 Status of Aquatic Species Listings, Timelines u 47 aquatic species listed when Act came into force (e.g. killer whales, sticklebacks, Inner Bay of Fundy salmon) u Additional 20 aquatic species listed, Sakinaw and Cultus Sockeye not listed, Speckled Dace sent back to COSEWIC – Total 67 listed now u 12 aquatic species now under consideration by Ministers- including Bocaccio Rockfish, Interior Fraser Coho, Atlantic cod Process started on these mid-July Recommendations public in early December, Final decisions by April 2006

7 Species to Come Forward in Future u Likely to start 9-month process in November 2005: 5 Artic beluga populations, White sturgeon, Porbeagle shark (Atl.) u Following species likely to start in next 9-18 months: Finback whales (Atlantic & Pacific populations), Bowhead whales (3 Arctic pops), Narwhal, North Pacific Right whale, 11 species of freshwater fish, 3 Atlantic skate pops, 3 Eastern Striped bass pops

8 Species to Come Forward in Future u Pacific species likely to come forward depending on COSEWIC recommendations: Westslope and Coastal Cutthroat Trout Rockfish species Skates and sharks Northern fur seal Whitefish (2 species) More sticklebacks

9 Implications, Considerations u Need for good information, sound science u Consultations, Aboriginal traditional knowledge, community knowledge; socio-economic assessment u Ecosystem and watershed approach where practicable, multi-species approach u SARA working in coordination with Fisheries Act, Oceans Act, other government initiatives u Partnerships, collaboration, sharing recovery actions, innovation.