The Government of Canada is following through on its commitment to protect species at risk. Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Dominic LeBlanc has announced that twelve aquatic species are being proposed for listing under the Species at Risk Act, which already lists more than a hundred species.
The species proposed to be protected under the Act were published in Canada Gazette Part I on August 27, 2016 for public consultations. Canadians will have 30 days to provide comments.
‘The actions taken by the Government of Canada to protect these vulnerable species demonstrate our commitment to nurturing Canada’s wildlife and biodiversity. We promised to respond quickly to the advice of scientists, and today’s announcement demonstrates that we will follow through on that promise,’ Dominic LeBlanc said.
Decisions to protect species under the Act are based on assessments by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and other scientific advice. Decisions are also informed and guided by extensive consultations with the public, communities, Indigenous groups and industry. Science advice is a key component of the decision, as are the potential socio-economic impacts on Canadians and their communities.
Once a species is formally listed under the Act, a plan is developed to determine the best way to help it survive and recover. The government works with scientists, industries, local fishing organisations, Indigenous groups and affected communities to develop strategies and plans. All Canadians play a role in helping to protect species at risk and their recovery.
Species proposed for listing are, Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Westslope), Mountain Sucker (Pacific), Mountain Sucker (Milk River), Dolly Varden (Western Arctic), Redside Dace, Harbour Seal (Lac des Loups Marins subsp.), Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle (Atlantic), Leatherback Sea Turtle (Pacific), Beluga (St. Lawrence Estuary), Beluga (Cumberland Sound) and the Atlantic Mud-Piddock.
Not all species identified by COSEWIC are listed, including in this listing batch, the Atlantic bluefin tuna and the Yellowmouth rockfish, though these and other species do have protections under the Fisheries Act, the Oceans Act, the Canada National Parks Act, as well as a number of provincial, territorial and municipal legislative tools and other non-legislative tools.
