Research Document - 2012/135

Information in support of a Recovery Potential Assessment of Pugnose Minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) in Canada

By L.D. Bouvier and N.E. Mandrak

Abstract

In April 1985, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed the status of Pugnose Minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) and determined the designation to be Special Concern. In May 2000, the status was re-examined and confirmed by COSEWIC. The status was re-assessed in May 2012 at which time Pugnose Minnow was designated as Threatened. The reason provided for this designation is that, “This fish is a small-bodied species with a restricted and declining distribution that inhabits river, stream and lake habitats. The species is threatened by habitat loss, habitat degradation from nutrient and sediment loading, climate change and several invasive species. The overall level of threat has been assessed as high.” Pugnose Minnow is currently listed as Special Concern on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

The Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) provides information and scientific advice needed to fulfill various requirements of SARA, including informing both scientific and socio-economic elements of the listing decision and permitting activities that would otherwise violate SARA prohibitions and the development of recovery strategies. This Research Document describes the current state of knowledge of the biology, ecology, distribution, population trends, habitat requirements, and threats to Pugnose Minnow. Mitigation measures and alternative activities related to the identified threats, which can be used to protect the species, are also presented. The information contained in the RPA and this document may be used to inform the development of recovery documents and for assessing permits, agreements and related conditions, as per section 73, 74, 75, 77 and 78 of SARA. The scientific information also serves as advice to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada regarding the listing of the species under SARA and is used when analyzing the socio-economic impacts of adding the species to the list as well as during subsequent consultations, where applicable. This assessment considers the available scientific data with which to assess the recovery potential of Pugnose Minnow in Canada.

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