B7 - Species at Risk Decision-making

Species at Risk: A Shared Responsibility

• The Species at Risk Act (SARA, 2004) is administered by three core federal organizations:
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Manages aquatic species other than for those individuals found in or on federal lands administered by Parks Canada
  • Parks Canada Agency (PC): Manages individuals of species found in or on the federal lands it administers
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): Manages all other species, including migratory birds
• The Ministers of these three departments are referred to as “competent ministers” for species at risk.
• The Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature has overall responsibility for administration of the Act and is currently the competent Minister PC.
• The Minister of Fisheries shares responsibilities with the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature for listing decisions and associated consultations with Wildlife Management Boards for aquatic species.
• The Minister of Fisheries is the competent minister for all aquatic species at risk, including fish, whales and mussels, no matter where they are found (e.g., freshwater, ocean, aquarium), other than those found in PC waters.

Purpose of SARA

• The purpose of SARA is to:
  • Prevent wildlife species from becoming extirpated (no longer existing in the wild in Canada), or extinct (a species that no longer exists).
  • Provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity.
  • Manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened.

SARA Cycle – Key Obligations

Assessment

• Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC – arms-length scientific assessment body) assesses species risk level and population structures.
• At risk assessments trigger the Government to respond with a listing decision.

Listing

• Three possible listing options:
  • List
  • Do not list
  • Refer back to COSEWIC
• The Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature makes all listing recommendations to the Governor in Council (GIC).
• The Minister of Fisheries provides advice for aquatic species to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature.

Protection

• When an aquatic species is listed as threatened, endangered or extirpated, it automatically becomes illegal to kill, harm or possess individuals of the species (among other things).
• Critical habitat is later identified and protected.

Recovery planning

• Recovery strategies, action plans, and management plans are required for listed species.
• The Minister of Fisheries is responsible for preparing these recovery documents.

Reporting

• SARA requires monitoring and reporting on the implementation of recovery documents every five years.

DFO’s SARA Activities

• Provides scientific information to inform species risk assessments carried out by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
• Provides advice on listing to the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature in response to at-risk assessments by COSEWIC.
• Enforces prohibitions related to harming protected species and their habitat and considers permits or exemptions for some activities.
• Prepares recovery documents, identifies critical habitat, and publishes maps of species distribution and critical habitat through mapping tools and Open Data.
• Implements recovery measures through science, collaboration with Indigenous groups and external stakeholders (i.e., Grants and Contribution programs), and management efforts.
• Monitors and reports on progress of recovery / management activities.

Departmental support is informed by:

SARA Implementation for Aquatic Species

Science advice

• Peer-reviewed scientific information outlining status, and what is necessary to recover / conserve species.

Consultations

• A broad set of outreach and engagement processes, including fulfilling consultations based on the honour of the Crown, to determine Indigenous and public views on listing and conservation and management efforts to inform decision making.

Legal advice

• On the operation of the Act and court interpretations.

Socio-economic considerations

• Analysis of socio-economic impacts of species listing and some protection measures.

Tri-departmental policy consultations

• A suite of tools (some under development) for consistent approaches to the implementation of the Act for terrestrial and aquatic species, where applicable.

DFO policy

• A suite of tools to guide on-the-ground implementation of the Act for aquatic species.