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Species at Risk Act

4 SPECIES RECOVERY MEASURES

4.1 Background

Species recovery includes a wide range of measures to restore populations of species at risk. Under SARA, the competent Ministers must prepare recovery strategies and action plans for species listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened, and management plans for species listed as special concern. Recovery strategies identify threats to the species and its habitat, identify critical habitat to the extent possible and set recovery goals. Management plans include measures for species conservation. Table 3 shows the required timelines for developing the recovery measures. Recovery strategies are developed cooperatively by the federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions responsible for each species, in cooperation and consultation with other directly affected parties as required under the Act.

Table 3: Timeline for Developing Recovery Plans (in years)

Species Listing Date	Recovery	Strategy	Management Plan
	Endangered	Threatened or Extirpated	Species of Concern
June 5, 2003	3	4	5
New listings after June 5, 2003	1	2	3
Reassessed Schedule 2 or 3 listings after June 5, 2003	3	4	5

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 Ministers consider comments and make changes where appropriate. The final documents are posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry within 30 days of the close of the public comment period. Five years after a recovery strategy, action plan or management plan comes into effect, the competent Ministers must report on progress made towards the stated objectives.

Banff Springs Snail – Recovering Species is a Multi-faceted Process The Banff Springs Snail is a small snail that lives in the harsh environment of thermal springs – warm water that contains little or no oxygen and large amounts of dissolved minerals. The species is found in a handful of thermal springs in Banff National Park and nowhere else in the world. In 1996, the Parks Canada Agency began a research and recovery program for the species and discovered that the snail had disappeared from four of its historic locations. Recovery of the species involves a multi-faceted process of scientific research, changes in management practices, habitat protection and public education. Thermal spring sites have been equipped with surveillance systems that help to protect the snails against human disturbance and vandalism, and interpretive displays in the park introduce the public to the snail and its habitat needs. Snails have been successfully re-established in two springs where they historically occurred and are on the road to recovery. In 2007, both the Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Banff Springs Snail were posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry (http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca).

4.2 Recovery Planning

4.2.1 Recovery Strategies

The first SARA deadline for completion of recovery strategies was January 2006. Table 4 shows the number of species listed on Schedule 1 by government agency responsible for recovery planning under SARA for 2006 and 2007.  Table 5 shows the number of species covered by recovery strategies for listed extirpated, endangered and threatened species. 

In 2006, Environment Canada posted 10 final recovery strategies, 4 proposed recovery strategies and 1 final management plan.  In 2007 Environment Canada posted 15 final recovery strategies, 3 proposed recovery strategies, and 1 final management plan.  

In 2006, Fisheries and Oceans Canada posted 3 final recovery strategies covering six species.  The Department also completed consultations on the recovery strategies of 21 aquatic species, and 22 aquatic species in 2007. In 2007, the department posted 16 final recovery strategies for 25 species, and 16 proposed strategies for 19 species.

In 2006, the Parks Canada Agency posted 3 final recovery strategies covering 20 species, 5 proposed recovery strategies and 1 proposed action plan.  In 2007, the Agency developed five final recovery strategies, three proposed final recovery strategies, and one final action plan.

Table 4: Number of Species Listed on Schedule 1 by Responsible Agency during 2006 and 2007.

	Environment Canada	Fisheries and Oceans Canada	Parks Canada Agency	Total
Terrestrial mammals	21		5	26
Aquatic mammals		21		21
Birds	52		3	55
Reptiles	26	1	5	32
Amphibians	18		1	19
Fishes		49		49
Molluscs	4	14	2	20
Arthropods	21		4	25
Plants	116		43	159
Lichens	5		1	6
Mosses	9		4	13
Total	272	85	68	425

Table 5 Number of species covered by final and proposed Recovery Strategies* by Responsible Agency for Listed Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened Species

SARA Responsible Agency	Final Recovery Strategies Posted in 2006	Number of  Species covered by final strategies posted in 2006	Final Recovery Strategies Posted in 2007	Number of  Species covered by final strategies posted in 2007	Proposed Recovery Strategies Posted in 2007	Number of  Species covered by proposed strategies posted in 2007
Environment Canada	10	10	15	15	3	3
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	3	6	16	25	16	19
Parks Canada Agency	3	20	5	5	3	3
Total *	16	36	36	45	22	25

* Note that a single Recovery Strategy may address multiple species at risk. Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Parks Canada Agency use a multi-species/ecosystem based approach for the recovery of species at risk where appropriate.

4.2.2 Identification of Critical Habitat

SARA defines critical habitat as the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species. Competent Ministers must identify critical habitats to the extent possible, based on the best available information, in their recovery strategies and action plans. This helps to identify the amount, quality and locations of habitat needed to achieve the recovery goal, and the population and distribution objectives established in the recovery strategy.  If available information is inadequate to fully identify critical habitat, the competent Ministers must include a schedule of studies in the recovery plan strategy or action plan. Critical habitats do not need to be identified for extirpated species where reintroduction is not recommended or for species of special concern.

Environment Canada identified critical habitat for six species (Barren's Willow, Roseate Tern, Horsetail Spike-rush, Northern Spotted Owl, Spoon-leaved Moss and Western Prairie Fringed-orchid) in 2006 and for eight species (Felt Lichen (Atlantic), Bashful Bulrush, Cucumber Tree, Wood-poppy, Piping Plover (circumcinctus), Whooping Crane, Woodland Caribou (Atlantic-Gaspésie) and Hoary Mountain-mint in 2007. Critical habitat was proposed for one additional species (Prothonotary warbler) in 2007.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada identified critical habitat for one species in 2006 (Aurora Trout) and proposed the identification of critical habitat for three species in 2007 (Nooksack Dace and northern and southern resident Killer Whale populations), all of which have since been finalized. In 2006 and 2007, the department initiated studies addressing the identification of critical habitat for 17 species.

During 2006 and 2007, the Parks Canada Agency continued to support and assist in research and activities that help to identify critical habitat for many species. For example, in 2006 and 2007, the Parks Canada Agency helped to develop two workshops attended by various academic and governmental biologists to advance important dialogue on biological and practical issues related to identifying critical habitat. In 2006 and 2007, the Parks Canada Agency identified critical habitat for three species (Banff Springs Snail, Engelmann’s Quillwort, Pink Sand-verbena). The Parks Canada Agency is investing considerable resources to developing and implementing schedules of studies to identify critical habitat for many other species.

4.3 Recovery Implementation

4.3.1 Protection of Critical Habitat

SARA requires that all critical habitat identified in recovery strategies and action plans be protected against destruction. The competent Ministers use a wide range of measures to achieve this goal.

By the end of 2007 Environment Canada had identified critical habitat for 14 species at risk.  Of these, Environment Canada fully protected the critical habitat for one species against destruction in 2007. For the remaining species, Environment Canada identified the portions of critical habitat that were already protected and took action towards protecting the remaining portions of critical habitat. Actions included publishing critical habitat descriptions in the Canada Gazette for four species found in Migratory Bird Sanctuaries or National Wildlife Areas, and developing processes for protecting critical habitat by a ministerial order when required.

The critical habitat for aquatic species can be protected through an order, a regulation, or a section 11 agreement, under SARA, or through measures available under any other applicable legislation such as the Fisheries Act,or the Oceans Act.  The Aurora Trout critical habitat, which consists of two lakes in a provincial park, continued to be monitored in 2006 and 2007.  Should protection measures be needed to protect it from acidification, which is the primary threat, liming of the lakes inhabited by the trout would be undertaken.

The critical habitat of species found on lands administered by the Parks Canada Agency can be legally protected by provisions in or measures under SARA, the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Act or any other applicable legislation. In 2007, the Parks Canada Agency took action to finalize or work towards the protection of critical habitat on lands administered by the Agency for several species.

4.3.2 Recovery Activities

In 2006, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency continued to dedicate significant resources to support the recovery of species at risk and to encourage partnerships with various stakeholders (see Part 6 on Stewardship and Public Engagement for additional information).

In 2006 and 2007, Environment Canada implemented recovery activities for numerous species at risk across the country. Projects included monitoring, population studies, critical habitat identification, habitat restoration, outreach and education, development of appropriate land use guidelines, and captive breeding and release into the wild of species at risk.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada implemented recovery activities for aquatic species at risk. These activities included captive broodstock programs, re-introductions, enhancement/naturalization of riparian habitat, reduction of agricultural waste, rescue of entangled marine animals, and removal of ghost and illegal nets. 

In 2006 and 2007, the Parks Canada Agency conducted recovery activities for species at risk in and around national protected heritage areas. In addition to numerous smaller projects focusing on individual species, the Agency continued to support three major projects taking an ecosystem approach to species at risk recovery: restoration of habitat conservation in Garry Oak ecosystems in southern British Columbia, grassland restoration at Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan and habitat conservation in the Thousand Islands ecosystem in Ontario. The Agency also initiated two additional projects: one in Nova Scotia and one along the Trent-Severn Canal in Ontario. Each project represents an investment of more than $1.0 million over three years. Such an ecosystem approach includes research, recovery activities, outreach and education for an integrated approach to species recovery.

4.3.3 Interdepartmental Recovery Fund

The Interdepartmental Recovery Fund provides funding to federal departments and Crown corporations for implementing recovery activities and conducting surveys for species at risk on federal lands or under federal jurisdiction. In its first five years (2002-03 to 2006-07), the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund allocated $9.7 million for 310 projects for the recovery of 77 species and five ecosystems.  Projects were implemented by eight federal departments and four Crown corporations. Of the total funds, 78% were applied to recovery actions and 22% to surveys on federal lands. More information can be found at www.sararegistry.gc.ca/involved/funding/irf_fir/default_e.cfm.

In 2006-07, the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund supported 135 projects, totalling $3.5 million (see table below for breakdown by federal agency and fiscal year). The portion of funds allocated to federal organizations other than the responsible agencies under SARA has grown steadily since the program was put in place. In 2006–07, about 64% of the funds went to these other federal government organizations, up from 44 % in 2005–06.

Table 6: Interdepartmental Recovery Fund Expenditures by Federal Agency in Fiscal Year 2005-06 and 2006–07

	2005-06		2006-07
Lead Organization	# of Projects	$ IRF	# of Projects	$ IRF
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation	0	$0.00	1	$60,000
Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food	6	$233,500	10	$327,531
Department of Fisheries and Oceans	22	$553,741	15	$348,000
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development	14	$278,008	14	$337,725
Department of National Defence	6	$141,750	5	$103,395
Department of Natural Resources	3	$79,950	4	$134,525
Department of Public Works and Government Services	2	$64,500	2	$32,000
Department of the Environment	9	$326,385	4	$134,876
Fraser River Port Authority	1	$14,500	0	$0.00
National Capital Commission	1	$10,000	1	$25,500
National Research Council of Canada	1	$17,000	1	$9,172
Parks Canada Agency	8	$172,200	5	$84,350
Total	73	$1,891,534	62	$1,597,074

 

Recovering the Atlantic Whitefish in Nova Scotia The Atlantic Whitefish, an endangered species protected under SARA, is unique to Canada and is historically known to occur in low abundance in only three small lakes in Nova Scotia.  Its small geographic distribution makes it especially vulnerable. The Atlantic Whitefish belongs to the salmon and trout family, and is the only living representative of the early form of whitefish. It is therefore an important component of Canadian as well as global biodiversity. One of the main goals to protect and recover the Atlantic Whitefish in the recovery strategy is to expand its current range. In October 2007, between 2,000 and 4,000 Atlantic Whitefish were released into Oakland Lake in Nova Scotia. Over the past two years, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has also released several thousand Atlantic Whitefish into Anderson lake near Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The fry were bred and reared at the department’s Mersey Biodiversity Facility in Milton, Nova Scotia. The Atlantic Whitefish Conservation and Recovery Team includes members from the three levels of government, university scientists, community groups and concerned citizens.