Gravel chub (Erimystax x-punctatus) recovery strategy: chapter 5

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Appendix A: Record Of Cooperation And Consultation

The Gravel Chub Recovery Strategy was prepared by the Gravel Chub Recovery Team. This recovery team was chaired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and has representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology.

The gravel chub is also included in the Thames River Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Strategy.  The Thames River Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Strategy was prepared by The Thames River Recovery Team (TRRT).  The TRRT has representatives from both the UTRCA (who co-chaired the team with DFO and the LTVCA).  These Conservation Authorities share responsibility for managing the Thames River watershed where this species was historically found.  Other agencies also represented on the TRRT are OMNR, Ontario Ministry of Environment, University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, and Environment Canada (EC).  Aboriginal groups were represented on the TRRT by the Delaware Nation Council (Moravian of the Thames First Nation), Chippewas of the Thames, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Munsee-Delaware First Nation and a representative from the Southern First Nations Secretariat.

In addition to these First Nation groups, DFO has attempted to engage all potentially affected Aboriginal communities in Southern Ontario during the development of the recovery strategy for the gravel chub. Information packages were sent to the five previously mentioned groups, as well as the Chief and Council of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Mississaugas of the New Credit, Six Nations of the Grand, and Walpole Island. Information packages were also sent to Metis Nation of Ontario, Metis Nation of Ontario Captain of the Hunt for Region 9, Métis National Council, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, Union of Ontario Indians (Anishnabek Nation), Chiefs of Ontario, and the Assembly of First Nations.  Members of these communities may have traveled or harvested fish from the waters of the Thames River where this fish species was found.  Follow-up telephone calls were made to each community office to ensure that packages were received and to ask if they would like to schedule a meeting to learn more about species at risk in general and proposed recovery strategies.

As a result of these letters and calls, one meeting was held with the Chief and Councilor for environmental issues of the Munsee-Delaware First Nation. Comments were received from Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians and Chippewas of Aamjiwnaang.

In addition to the above activities, DFO has established an ongoing dialogue with respect to aquatic species at risk in general with the policy advisor to the Southern First Nations Secretariat and has engaged the London Chiefs Council (an association of the 8 area First Nation governments in southwestern Ontario) on several occasions. Meetings have been held with the director of the Walpole Island Natural Heritage Centre and the Fish and Game Enforcement Officer from Walpole Island First Nation. DFO also discussed SARA issues with a representative of the Six Nations of the Grand who works for the Six Nations EcoCentre and who also represents First Nation interests on the Grand River Fishes at Risk Management Plan, the Thames River Fish Management Plan and the St. Clair River Management Strategy.

Information packages, inviting comments, were sent to non-Aboriginal groups, environmental organizations and municipalities which may be impacted by the recovery strategy. As well, an announcement was placed in newspapers with circulation in the area where this fish was historically found to inform landowners and the general public about the strategy and to request their comments. One comment was received.

A letter was sent to the province of Ontario (OMNR) and comments received were added to the recovery strategy.

The gravel chub is only found in Canada and the United States of America. The Recovery Team has contacted representatives from resource management agencies in New York and Wisconsin where this fish also occurs. Information packages were sent to appropriate agencies in the United States within the distribution of gravel chub. No comments were received.