Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii): action plan summary

1. Opening Statement

The Action Plan for the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) in Canada was due for posting on the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry by October 25, 2007, for a 60-day public comment period. A draft of the action plan has been completed and circulated to the recovery team and jurisdictions. Further consultations with key stakeholders and landowners are required before the posting on the SAR Public Registry. Environment Canada is leading the development of this action plan and will continue to work with the provinces of Nova Scotia and Quebec to ensure the action plan is completed and posted on the SAR Public Registry at the earliest opportunity.

2. Summary

2.1 Scope of the Action Plan

The overall recovery goal for the Roseate Tern is to prevent the Canadian population from declining. Specifically, the goal of the strategy is to have at least 150 pairs of Roseate Terns nesting in at least three colonies in Canada by 2014.

This action plan, which will be implemented in all provinces where Roseate Terns occur in Canada, will address all of the short-term recovery objectives set out in the Recovery Strategy for the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) in Canada.

2.2 Critical Habitat

Critical habitat for the Roseate Tern was identified in the Recovery Strategy for the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) in Canada and covers the actual locations of Roseate Tern nesting sites (colonies).

Roseate Tern critical habitat identified on North Brother Island, South Brother Island and Sable Island is protected by provincial and federal legislation. Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Government of Quebec are working to establish protection of critical habitat identified on Chenal Island, Deuxième Îlet, Paquet Island and Country Island.

Further scientific research, combined with the implementation of the action plan, will contribute to determining whether additional critical habitat will be identified.

2.3 Actions to Achieve Recovery Objective(s)

The actions outlined in this plan reflect the approaches set out in the Recovery Strategy for the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) in Canada to meet the recovery objectives. The actions will emphasize: monitoring population size, distribution, movement and productivity; enhancement of nesting habitat; management of additional colonies; protection of habitat; identification of limiting factors at managed colonies; and monitoring threats.

Since 2004, the federal government has invested over $167,000 in Roseate Tern recovery actions through the Habitat Stewardship Program. It has also funded recovery projects for over $34,000 since 2003 with the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund.

2.4 Monitoring

The methods to monitor the recovery of the Roseate Tern will be described in the action plan. Monitoring population size, distribution, movement and productivity of Roseate Terns in Canada is ongoing.

2.5 Socio-economic Considerations

The socio-economic implications of the Action Plan for the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) in Canada on the following sectors are being examined: recreational activities and private land development. A summary of the results will be included in the action plan.

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