Science Response 2018/006
Recovery potential assessment for the Little Quarry Lake Stickleback species pair (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Context
After the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses an aquatic species as Threatened, Endangered or Extirpated, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) undertakes a number of actions required to support implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Many of these actions require scientific information on the current status of the wildlife species, threats to its survival and recovery, and the feasibility of recovery. Formulation of this scientific advice has typically been developed through a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) that is conducted shortly after the COSEWIC assessment. This timing allows for consideration of peer-reviewed scientific analyses into SARA processes including recovery planning.
The Little Quarry Lake benthic and limnetic Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations were designated Threatened by COSEWIC in 2015 based on their status as unique Canadian endemic stickleback populations confined to a single small lake in southwestern British Columbia (COSEWIC 2015). There has been no formal assessment of critical habitat or population size, although some of the conclusions drawn for definition of critical habitat in other stickleback species pairs may be relevant (Hatfield 2009; National Recovery Team for Stickleback Species Pairs 2006).
Little Quarry Lake benthic and limnetic sticklebacks do not receive habitat protection under the Canadian Fisheries Act or the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations (Government of British Columbia 2016). Crown Land surrounding Little Quarry Lake confers some protection through the British Columbia Forest and Range Practices Act and the provincial Riparian Areas Regulation. Provincial and global conservation status remains “not assessed”. Although the current British Columbia Red List contains four stickleback species pairs (Vananda Creek, Misty Lake, Enos Lake and Paxton Lake), the Little Quarry Lake species pair, which was described in 2008, is not yet listed (Gow et al. 2008; B.C. Conservation Data Centre 2016). All these pairs are globally unique; all, with the exception of the stream-lake pair in Misty Lake, are benthic-limnetic pairs.
In support of listing recommendations for the Little Quarry Lake stickleback species pair DFO Science has been asked to undertake a RPA, based on the national RPA Guidance. The advice in the RPA may be used to inform both scientific and socio-economic aspects of the listing decision, development of a recovery strategy and action plan, and to support decision making with regards to the issuance of permits or agreements, and the formulation of exemptions and related conditions, as per sections 73, 74, 75, 77, 78 and 83(4) of SARA. The advice in the RPA may also be used to prepare for the reporting requirements of SARA s.55. The advice generated via this process will update and/or consolidate any existing advice regarding the Little Quarry Lake stickleback species pair.
This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process in February 2017 on the Recovery Potential Assessment – Little Quarry Lake Benthic and Limnetic Stickleback.
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